Asphyxia Flashcards
What is asphyxia?
AR
Occurs when oxygenated blood cannot reach the brain; inadequate oxygenation of tissues
What is Compression
(Traumatic) Asphyxia?
AR
External pressure on the body prevents physiologic respiration; “crush” injury
What is Positional Asphyxia?
AR
Immobilized in a position that compromises respiration
What is Strangulation?
AR
Constriction or compression of the neck; obstruction of blood and oxygen to the brain
What are the three types of strangulation?
AR
Manual Strangulation
Ligature Strangulation
Hangings
What is hypoxia?
Partial oxygen deprivation that causes unconsciousness. (HS)
What is anoxia?
Total oxygen deprivation that may lead to death. (HS)
What are the three main components of asphyxia?
Respiratory, vascular, and nervous systems. (HS)
What is suffocation?
The nose and mouth become blocked by an object and adequate breathing cannot occur. (HS)
What is choking?
Obstruction of the internal airway. (HS)
What is respiratory asphyxia?
Obstruction of the airway or respiratory impairment, sudden or progressive oxygen reduction until levels are incompatible with life
(NA)
What is vascular asphyxia?
Compression of the blood vessels in neck, rapid loss of consciousness
(NA)
What is nervous asphyxia?
Compression or stimulation of specific reflex areas, can cause sudden death
(NA)
What is smothering?
The obstruction of an airway by hand, pillow, plastic bag, etc that prevents air flow through the nose and mouth
(NA)
What is manual strangulation?
Also can be known as “throttling”. Is from pressure from hand or arm (or another limb) against the neck causing compression. It cannot be self inflicted
(NA)
What is ligature strangulation?
Pressure on the neck caused by a constricting band/object that is tightened by force that is not body weight.
(KW)
What are the two “categories” of asphyxia?
Mechanical and chemical
(KW)
What makes a hanging different from a ligature strangulation?
A hanging is done by tightening the ligature with body weight, whereas a ligature strangulation is specifically with a force that is not being applied by body weight.
(KW)
What is Hanging strangulation?
A hanging strangulation is one where the ligature is being tightened/applying pressure to the neck, by the body weight.
(KW)
True or False: manual strangulation can be self-inflicted.
False.
(KW)
