Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Practice Exam

The threshold indicating a significant risk for muscle and nerve ischemia when assessing tissue compartment pressures is 35-40 mmHg. This range is critical because pressures exceeding this level indicate that the compartment is under significant stress, potentially compromising blood flow. Once compartment pressures rise above 30 mmHg, there is an increasing concern for ischemic injury, but pressures reaching 35-40 mmHg heighten the urgency for intervention to prevent irreversible damage to the muscle and nerves. Immediate medical action is often necessary at this threshold to alleviate the pressure and restore adequate perfusion to the tissues. Understanding this threshold is vital for timely diagnosis and management of conditions like acute compartment syndrome, ensuring better patient outcomes.