A 40-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He is hypotensive (BP 80/50 mmHg), tachycardic (HR 120 bpm), and has a distended, tender abdomen. A focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination reveals free fluid in the abdomen. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

The correct answer to the question "A 40-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He is hypotensive (BP 80/50 mmHg), tachycardic (HR 120 bpm), and has a distended, tender abdomen. A focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination reveals free fluid in the abdomen. What is the most appropriate next step in management?" is Option A: Urgent laparotomy.

The other options — B) CT scan of the abdomen, C) Insertion of a nasogastric tube, D) Administration of oral activated charcoal — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: An unstable trauma patient with signs of intra-abdominal hemorrhage (hypotension, tachycardia, distended/tender abdomen, free fluid on FAST) requires immediate surgical exploration via urgent laparot…