When to be suspicious of a laceration of great vessels -
ANSWERS-- if no external bleeding is present but there are
s/s of shock after a traumatic event
traumatic asphyxia - ANSWERS-Sudden compression of
chest forcing blood out of organs and rupturing blood vessels
s/s
- distended neck veins
- cyanosis of face and neck
- hemorrhage to sclera of the eye
Sternal fracture - ANSWERS-- Requires a lot of force
- Treatment: POWR (if shock), respirations (if needed)
Solid abdominal organs - ANSWERS-liver, spleen, pancreas
(big bleeders)
hollow abdominal organs - ANSWERS-stomach, gallbladder,
small intestine, colon, bladder (will leak other contents into
body)
,Common cause of isolated abdominal injury - ANSWERS-not
wearing seatbelt properly
Closed abdominal injury - ANSWERS-s/s: pain, bruising
treatment: assess for shock, no specific treatment
Abdominal evisceration - ANSWERS-an open wound where
organs protrude from the abdominal cavity
Treatment for abdominal evisceration - ANSWERS-- wet
sterile dressing
- DO NOT replace organs
Psychogenic shock - ANSWERS-- brain overstimulation
causes temporary vasodilation
- syncope
- hard to determine cause, always take to hospital
cardiogenic shock - ANSWERS-- heart failure, can no longer
maintain sufficient output
- mostly seen in people with MI or acute coronary syndrome
, Obstructive shock - ANSWERS-due to obstruction of blood
flow
- cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism, thension
pneumothorax
Compensated shock - ANSWERS-- body is able to
compensate and maintain tissue perfusion
- pt is alert and oriented
Decompensated shock - ANSWERS-body cannot compensate,
or maintain perfusion
- pt has altered mental
Local cold injury treatment - ANSWERS-- remove pt. from
environment
- handle injured part very gently
- remove wet/restrictive clothing
- DO NOT apply heat, just turn up temp. in ambulance
- Rewarming is done at hospital and can damage pt. if done
incorrectly
Hypothermia (definition and 3 stages) - ANSWERS-General
lowering of body temp.