Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions with detailed explanations and hints. Get the confidence you need to pass your exam and advance your career in emergency medical services!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which complication is the MOST acute and serious associated with a break in the integrity of the skin?

Infection
Loss of fluids
Delayed healing
Scarring

The correct answer is: Loss of fluids

Loss of fluids is critically important in cases where there is a break in the integrity of the skin. When the skin is compromised, it can lead to significant fluid loss, which can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, hypovolemic shock. The skin serves as a barrier to retain bodily fluids, and when that barrier is disrupted, the risk of losing fluids increases rapidly. This complication can develop acutely and may lead to serious physiological consequences, making it a priority during assessment and management in emergency situations. In contrast, while infection is a significant concern, it usually develops over time following the initial injury and is not immediate like fluid loss. Delayed healing and scarring are also important considerations, but these are typically long-term outcomes rather than acute complications. Therefore, loss of fluids represents the most urgent and serious complication immediately following a disruption of the skin’s integrity.