rauma Lethal Triad
Hypothermia, Coagulopathy(Poor blood clotting), Acidosis
What are some Complications of spinal cord injuries
Ecchymosis
bruising
Indications for spinal immobilization
injury of the spinal cord, head neck, torso, or pelvis, any fall, high acceleration impact, ejection
from a moving object.
Indications for tourniquet use
Bleeding is uncontrolled, Direct pressure on wound does not control the bleed.
Cushing's reflex
Sucking Chest Wound
an open chest wound in which air is "sucked" into the chest cavity
Tension Pneumothorax
a pneumothorax with rapid accumulation of air in the pleural space causing severely high
intrapleural pressures with resultant tension on the heart and great vessels.
Flail Chest
fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places that allows for free movement of the
fractured segment
Simple Pneumothorax
Any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic
changes in the vital signs of the patient.
, Open Pneumothorax
An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and
expiration, creating a sucking sound; also referred to as a sucking chest wound.
Commotio cortis
Sudden death that occurs from blunt trauma to the chest precordium during the peak of the
T-Wave. (when the ventricular myocardium is repolarizing)`
Kehrs sign
Referred pain down the left shoulder; indicative of a ruptured spleen.
Cullens sign
superficial edema and bruising in the subcutaneous fatty tissue around the umbilicus
Subcutaneous emphysema
A physical finding of air within the subcutaneous tissue
Can indicate a potential pneumothorax
Rib fractures
Disseminating intravascular coagulation
A serious disorder whereby the proteins that normally control clotting become inappropriately
active
Results in generation and deposition of fibrin, leading to microvascular thrombi in various
organs and contributing to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)
Consumption of clotting factors and platelets in DIC can result in life-threatening hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic Compensatory systems
Typical adult total blood volume: 10 pints or 5 Liters
Loss of more than 20%, 2 pints or 1 Liter of blood can cause significant changes in vital signs
Increasing heart and respiratory rate
Decreasing blood pressure
Hemorrhage color and origin
Artery: bright red, spurts with pulse. Difficult to control.
Vein: dark red, flows steadily. Easier to control.
Capillary: dark red, steady/slow ooze. More likely to clot spontaneously