What is the mechanism of injury (MOI) for an adult with a low-velocity, low-caliber gunshot wound to the abdomen?

The mechanism of injury for an adult with a low-velocity, low-caliber gunshot wound to the abdomen is classified as penetrating trauma. This type of injury occurs when an object, such as a bullet, breaches the skin and enters the body, creating a pathway through tissues and potentially damaging internal organs. In the case of gunshot wounds, the projectile penetrates the abdominal cavity, which can lead to injuries to various structures such as blood vessels, intestines, and other organs.

Low-velocity gunshot wounds generally involve projectiles that do not travel at extremely high speeds, which can lead to different patterns of tissue damage compared to high-velocity wounds. However, the defining feature remains the penetration through layers of skin, muscle, and potentially into organs, making the "penetrating" nature of the injury the most accurate description.

Other mechanisms of injury listed, such as puncturing, blunt, and crushing, do not apply in this context. Puncturing typically refers to sharp objects creating small holes or wounds, while blunt trauma describes injuries resulting from forceful impacts without penetration, such as those from falls or collisions. Crushing injuries involve a significant compressive force that may result in severe tissue damage but again do not pertain to a gun