New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

Signs of a pulmonary blast injury include:

1. Vomiting blood

2. Coughing up blood

3. An irregular pulse

4. Multiple rib fractures

The correct answer is: Coughing up blood

Coughing up blood is indeed a significant indicator of a pulmonary blast injury. This type of injury occurs when a shock wave from an explosion affects the lungs and the surrounding tissues. The abrupt changes in pressure can lead to damage within the lung tissue, causing bleeding. When blood is coughed up, also known as hemoptysis, it often signifies that the lungs have been compromised, which is consistent with the injuries sustained in blast trauma. In the context of other symptoms, while vomiting blood may indicate internal bleeding, it does not specifically signal a pulmonary injury. An irregular pulse can be indicative of various conditions but does not specifically point to issues stemming from a blast injury. Multiple rib fractures could suggest significant blunt trauma but are not direct indicators of injury to the lung itself. Hence, coughing up blood directly correlates with pulmonary damage, making it the most relevant sign of a pulmonary blast injury.