Pelvic injuries: Which of the following is NOT a sign of pelvic injury?

• A. Severe pain at site of injury
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Bruising or swelling
• D. Blood-tinged urine

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that pelvic injuries produce signs localized to the pelvic region and nearby urinary structures, not breathing issues. Severe pain at the injury site is a direct warning sign, as is bruising or swelling around the pelvis, and blood-tinged urine suggests possible urinary tract or bladder injury with a pelvic fracture. Shortness of breath, on the other hand, points to problems with breathing or circulation elsewhere in the body and isn’t a typical feature used to identify a pelvic injury in the field. If shortness of breath is present, you’d still treat life threats to breathing first, but it doesn’t indicate a pelvic injury by itself.