Clinical meaning
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder involves multi-system pathophysiology requiring integration of knowledge across organ systems for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Diagnosis & workup
Diagnostics & workup: - Focused primary and secondary survey for trauma - Point-of-care labs (ABG, lactate, glucose, electrolytes) - Bedside ultrasound (FAST, cardiac, lung) - CT imaging for definitive injury characterization - Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring - Glasgow Coma Scale and pupillary assessment - Toxicology screening when indicated
Risk factors: - Polytrauma with multi-organ involvement - Critical illness with systemic inflammatory response - Extremes of age with limited physiologic reserve - Comorbid conditions complicating clinical course - Environmental exposure (heat, cold, altitude, pressure) - Delayed presentation or recognition of emergency - Medication-related complications or toxicity