FIGURE 103.2 Management of blunt abdominal trauma FAST, focused abdominal sonography for trauma; CT, computed tomography ( Table 103.2 ) Initial management of the unstable patient Immediate life-threatening injuries, such as airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, pericardial tamponade, and obvious sources of external blood loss, must be treated promptly upon detection Tourniquet placement for the management of extremity hemorrhage can be lifesaving If significant head trauma has occurred, a determination must be made regarding the need for immediate neurosurgical intervention A rapidly performed CT scan (without IV contrast) of the head is usually sufficient to determine the