West Coast EMT Block One Exam

In a blast injury scenario, which organ is known to be most sensitive to pressure changes?

1. Brain.

2. Liver.

3. Lungs.

4. Kidneys.

The correct answer is: Lungs.

The lungs are particularly sensitive to pressure changes due to their structure and function. They are filled with air and have delicate tissue that can easily be damaged by abrupt changes in atmospheric pressure, such as those encountered in blast injuries. When an explosion occurs, a shock wave can lead to a rapid fluctuation in the pressure surrounding the lungs, resulting in potential injuries like barotrauma. This can cause air to escape into the surrounding tissues or even into the bloodstream, leading to serious complications like pneumothorax or air embolism. Other organs, while they can be affected by blasts, do not share the same level of sensitivity to pressure changes as the lungs. The brain, though critical and vulnerable, reacts differently to pressure and is primarily affected by the trauma itself rather than pressure changes alone. The liver and kidneys are more robust in terms of pressure tolerance compared to lung tissue, which is more susceptible to the immediate impacts of over-pressurization from a blast. Understanding this sensitivity is crucial for emergency responders to prioritize and treat blast injuries effectively.