Accidents and Poisoning Flashcards
Primary Damage in Head Injury
Injury to neural tissues Focal cerebral contusions and lacerations Diffuse axonal injury Injury to blood vessels Penetrating injury
Secondary Damage in Head Injury
Cerebral Oedema Hypotension Hypoxia Seizures Hypoglycemia Infection
Indications for urgent CT in head injury
Suspicion of NAI Post-traumatic seizure GCS<14 initially / <15 after 2h Suspected open or depressed skull fracture Signs of basal skull fracture Focal neurological signs <1y with bruising and swelling >5cm
Signs of Basal skull fracture
Haemotympanum
Panda eyes
Battle sign
CSF leak from nose/ears
Indications for observation after head injury
Witnessed loss of consciousness >5m Abnormal drowsiness 3 or more discrete episodes of vomititng Dangerous mechanism of injury Amnesia >5m
Admit and observe for at least 6h: CT if further concern
Neck Injury and fractures
Rare in children
Associated with high speed RTAs
Most common is fracture of upper 2 cervical vertebrae
Elasticity of cervical spine allows spinal cord injury without bony damage
Abdominal injury
Caused by blunt force .e.g. seat belts, bicycle handles
Liver and spleen rupture present quickly
Bowel and pancreas injury have a delay in presentation
Abdominal sonography required
Contained splenic and hepatic haematomas can be managed conservatively
Chest Injuries
Due to blunt trauma
Pliable ribcage allows for soft tissue injury without fractures
Emergency management of choking in a child
Severe obstruction (ineffectuve cough): -5 abdominal thrusts -5 back blows -5 chest thrusts Mild airway obstruction (effective cough): -Encourage to cough until cleared
Drowning Mx
Commence CPR
In cooling: protective effect, continue CPR until warm
Features of airway brurns
Soot in nasal and oral cavity Cough, hoarseness or stridor Coughing black sputum Breathing/swallowing difficulty Blistering around mouth Scorched eyebrows or hair
Mx airway burns
Early intubation if evolving airway swelling
Burn First Aid
Cool with running water for 20m
chemical burns copiously irrigated
plastic wrapping after cooling to prevent fluid loss
Immediate pain relief (intranasal opiate)
Burn Surface area
Childs palm ~ 1% surface area Proportion of face, and legs changes with age Genitals ~ 1% Buttocks ~5% Face ~ 8.5% 1y // 6.5% 5y // 5.5% 10y // 4.5% 15y Rule of 9s: -Arms each 9% -Legs each 18% -Trunk front 18% -Trunk back 18%
Mx Burns
Pain relief .e.g. IV morphine/ketamine IV fluids if >10% burns Measuring urine output Referral: -partial thickness > 5% -face,eyes,ears, hand, feet, genitalia, perineum, major joint Monitor signs of infection
