all cpter Qs Flashcards
What is the difference between an avulsion and an amputation?
An avulsion is when a piece of tissue is torn away
an amputation is when an extremity or digit is removed
What is the difference in concept between spinal immobilization and spinal motion restriction?
Motion restriction may involve a variety of techniques including placing a c-collar on a patient and placing them on the stretcher
Spinal immobilization involves affixing a patient to a short device or KED and/or long spine board
What organ in the body is most sensitive to reduced levels of oxygen?
The brain is the most sensitive. The brain will begin to feel the effects of hypoxia in less than a minute.
What is exsanguination?
“bleeding to death.”
How do you care for a patient with an impaled object?
First perform a primary assessment and control bleeding if necessary. Treat for shock.
What are the anatomic criteria for transport to a trauma center according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)?
- All penetrating injuries to the head, neck, torso and to the extremities proximal to the elbows and knees.
- Flail chest.
- Two or more proximal long bone fractures.
- Crushed, degloved or mangled extremity.
- Amputations proximal to the wrist and ankle.
- Pelvic fractures.
- Open or depressed skull fracture.
- Paralysis.
What do you check before and after splinting?
Distal circulation, sensation and motion
Circulation (distal pulse and skin color, temperature and condition)
Sensation (Can you tell me where I am touching?)
Motion (Can you wiggle your fingers or toes?)
What is the “Rule of Palm” for burns?
The surface area of the patient’s palm is equivalent to 1% body surface area.
Why may the blood pressure differ between the two arms in an ascending aortic aneurysm?
The blood supply for the head and arms comes from three vessels on the aortic arch. If that vessel is damaged by an aneurysm it may interfere with blood flow to the arms causing the difference in blood pressure
What level of the spine provides innervation to the diaphragm?
The phrenic nerve provides the only motor control to the diaphragm. This derives from the C3 - C5 vertebrae.
Your patient does not have radial pulses but does have a carotid pulse. What is the most likely cause of this?
Shock.
What is the difference between a pneumothorax and a tension pneumothorax?
A pneumothorax is a collapse of part of a lung
A tension pneumothorax begins as a pneumothorax but increasing pressure in the thorax becomes severe and causes shock by limiting circulation when compressing the heart and great vessels.
What are the three components of the Glasgow Coma Score?
Eye opening, verbal response and best motor response.
List the steps for bleeding control (In order)
- Direct pressure is the first technique. If severe bleeding is not controlled with direct pressure, use a tourniquet.
- For bleeding which is not on an extremity (e.g. torso, pelvis, neck - when you can’t use a tourniquet) a hemostatic agent is also an option. In some areas a hemostatic agent may be used before, in place of, or with a tourniquet.
Describe the appearance of arterial, venous and capillary bleeding.
- Arterial - spurting, brighter red blood.
- Venous - flowing, dark red blood.
- Capillary - oozing, dark red blood.
