eFAST pelvis: sweep behind the bladder

Question 1Which views make up the pelvic window?

1. aSagittal and transverse sweeps
2. bOne sagittal still image
3. cColour Doppler of the bladder wall
4. dOne transverse still image

Question 2Where do you look for free fluid in the male pelvis?

1. aInside the bladder
2. bBetween the skin and the rectus muscle
3. cBehind the bladder, in the rectovesical pouch
4. dInside the prostate

Question 3Why can one central still image miss free fluid?

1. aFluid can sit behind and to one side, at the edge of the chosen plane
2. bOnly CT shows fluid
3. cThe bladder blocks all ultrasound
4. dFree fluid moves too fast to see

Question 4Is all pelvic fluid in a woman after trauma blood?

1. aYes, always
2. bNo. A small amount can be normal, so read it in context
3. cNo pelvic fluid is ever caused by trauma
4. dOnly if the bladder is empty

Question 5What does a negative eFAST mean in an unstable patient you are still worried about?

1. aIt excludes bleeding completely
2. bThe patient can go home without reassessment
3. cIt does not exclude important injury, so continue the trauma pathway
4. dIt proves the bleeding is retroperitoneal