Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Trauma
intermediate
X-Type

Crush Syndrome - Pathophysiology and Emergency Management

Polytrauma

A 35-year-old construction worker is trapped under a collapsed concrete wall for 6 hours following a building collapse. The rescue team establishes IV access before extrication. On release, his vital signs are: BP 90/60mmHg, HR 120bpm. His urine is dark tea-colored. ECG shows peaked T waves. Blood tests reveal K+ 7.2mmol/L, CK greater than 50,000 U/L, and creatinine 280μmol/L. Regarding crush syndrome:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Crush syndrome is the systemic manifestation of rhabdomyolysis following reperfusion of crushed musc...

B

Pre-extrication fluid loading with 1-1.5L/hour of 0.9% saline is essential; normal saline is preferr...

C

Hypercalcemia is a characteristic metabolic derangement of crush syndrome; Hartmann's solution is pr...

D

Hyperkalemia is the immediate life-threatening emergency; peaked T waves on ECG indicate cardiac tox...

E

Dark tea-colored urine indicates myoglobinuria; CK greater than 5,000 U/L defines rhabdomyolysis; ur...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option