What does the FAST exam detect?

What does the FAST exam detect?

• A. Air in the chest cavity
• B. Air leaks in the bronchial tree
• C. Spinal column damage
• D. Free fluid in the peritoneal, pericardial, or pleural spaces

Answer: (D)

The FAST exam is a rapid ultrasound check for fluid indicating bleeding after trauma. It’s used to identify free fluid in the body cavities: the peritoneal cavity, the pericardial sac, and the pleural spaces. Seeing free fluid suggests hemorrhage and can push urgent treatment decisions, including surgery, in unstable patients. It does not aim to detect air in the chest or spine injuries, which are assessed by other methods. In short, the test’s purpose is to detect free fluid in those spaces, making that option the best choice.

The FAST exam is a rapid ultrasound check for fluid indicating bleeding after trauma. It’s used to identify free fluid in the body cavities: the peritoneal cavity, the pericardial sac, and the pleural spaces. Seeing free fluid suggests hemorrhage and can push urgent treatment decisions, including surgery, in unstable patients. It does not aim to detect air in the chest or spine injuries, which are assessed by other methods. In short, the test’s purpose is to detect free fluid in those spaces, making that option the best choice.