atls_copy_copy_20210630221308 Flashcards
<p>The "Initial Assessment" includes the following 10 elements:</p>
<ol> <li>Preparation</li> <li>Triage</li> <li>Primary Survey (ABCDEs)</li> <li>Resuscitation</li> <li>Adjuncts to primary survey and resuscitation</li> <li>Does the patient need transferring?</li> <li>Secondary survey (head-to-toe evaluation & history)</li> <li>Adjuncts to secondary survey</li> <li>Continued post-resuscitation monitoring and reevaluation</li> <li>Definitive care</li></ol>
<p>What are the 2 different phases of trauma preparation?</p>
<p>Prehospital and hospital</p>
<p>What are the 4 emphases of the Pre-hospital phase?</p>
<p>1/ Airway maintenance 2/ Control of external bleeding and shock 3/ Immobilization of the patient. 4/ Immediate transport to the closest appropriate facility.</p>
<p>What information should be taken from the ambulance crew?</p>
<p>1/ Time of injury2/ Events related to the injury (mechanism of injury etc.)3/ Patient history</p>
<p>What course addresses prehospital care of injured patients that is similar to the ATLS course?</p>
<p>Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)</p>
<p>What 3 things should be made made immediately accessible in the prehospital phase?</p>
<p>1/ Airway equipment2/ Warmed IV Crystalloids3/ Monitoring devices</p>
<p>What does the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend is worn as protection and the ACS COT say is the minimum precautionary equipment?</p>
<p>1/Mask2/ Eye protection3/ Water Impervious Gown.4/ Gloves</p>
<p>What is the definition of triage?</p>
<p>"Sorting of patients based on their needs for treatment and the resources available to provide that treatment."</p>
<p>What is the definition of <strong>Multiple Casualties</strong>?</p>
<p>"The number of patients and the severity of their injuries do not exceed the capability of the facility to render care."</p>
<p>What is the definition of "<strong>Mass Casualties</strong>?"</p>
<p>"The number of patients and the severity of their injuries exceed the capability of the facility and staff"</p>
<p>How do you act if their are <strong>multiple casualties</strong>?</p>
<p>First treat those with with life threatening problems andmultiple-system injuries.</p>
<p>How do you act if there are <strong>mass casualties</strong>?</p>
<p>First treat the patients with the greatest chance of survival and who require the least expenditure of time, equipment, supplies and personnel.</p>
<p>What does A stand for?</p>
<p>Airway maintenance and cervical spine protection</p>
<p>What does B stand for?</p>
<p>Breathing and ventilation</p>
<p>What does C stand for?</p>
<p>Circultation and haemorrhage control</p>
<p>What does D stand for?</p>
<p>Disability: Neurological status</p>
<p>What does <strong>E</strong> stand for?</p>
<p><strong>Exposure/Environmental control: </strong></p>
<p>1/ Completely undress the patient but prevent hypothermia.</p>
<p>2/ Warm with IV saline</p>
<p>3/ Warm environment.</p>
<p>Describe the quick 10 second way to assess a patient?</p>
<p>1/ Identify yourself,</p>
<p>2/ Ask the patient for his or her name</p>
<p>3/ Ask what happened.</p>
<p>(An appropriate response suggests no airway compromise, breathing is not severely compromised and is alert.)</p>
<p>Describe the 5 specialist populations and why?</p>
<p>1/ Children - anatomic and physiological differences (e.g. quantity of blood, fluids, medications, rapidity of heat loss and injury pattern difference)</p>
<p>2/ Pregnant females - anatomic and physiological difference. Ascertain pregnancy soon in females.</p>
<p>3/ Older adults - poor physiological reserve and multiple co-morbidities.</p>
<p>4/ Obese - difficult intubation, diagnostic difficulties and poor pulmonary reserve.</p>
<p>5/ Athletes - normally low BP and HR.</p>
<p>What is included in airway management?</p>
<p>1/ Clearing foreign bodies & suctioning</p>
<p>2/ Inspection of facial, mandibular or tracheal fractures that can cause airway obstruction.</p>
<p>3/ Administering oxygen</p>
<p>4/ Securying the airway.</p>
<p>When can you most likely need definitve airway management?</p>
<p>GCS < 8 or nonpurposeful motor response.</p>
<p>If there is history of a traumatic event or altered level of conciousness what should be assumed & done?</p>
<p>Assume there is loss of stability of the cervical spine.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Protect the patient's spinal cord with immobilization devices.</p>
<p>If you take off the collar what must be done?</p>
<p>Inline mobilization techniques should be used in order to manually stabilise the C-spine.</p>
<p>When assessing breathing in the primary survey what do you look for?</p>
<p>1/ Assess JVP</p>
<p>2/ Position of the trachea</p>
<p>3/ Chest wall excursion</p>
<p>4/ Auscultation</p>
<p>5/ Percussion.</p>
<p>What breathing injuries should be assessed during the primary survey?</p>
<p>1/ Tension pneumothorax</p>
<p>2/ Flail chest with pulmonary contusion</p>
<p>3/ Massive haemothorax</p>
<p>4/ Open pneumothorax</p>
<p>What is the main goal of inital ventilatory management?</p>
<p>To prevent secondary brain injury by maintaining adequate oxygenation and perfusion.</p>
<p>What are the 3 main circulatory issues to consider in C on your primary survey?</p>
<p>Is there:</p>
<ol> <li>Blood volume</li> <li>Poor cardiac output</li> <li>Bleeding - Internal or external?</li></ol>
<p></p>
<p>What are the 3 clinical elements that assist with assessing blood volume & cardiac output?</p>
<p>1/ Level of conciousness - cerebral perfusion can indicate low circulating volume.</p>
<p>2/ Skin colour</p>
<p>3/ Pulse - assess bilaterally. A rapid thready pulse indicates hypovolaemia. If absent central pulses then immediately resuscitate with fluid.</p>
<p>If someone is bleeding what do you do in the primary survey?</p>
<p>1/Identify the bleed - physical, radiology or FAST</p>
<p>2/ Apply direct manual pressure</p>
<p>3/ Tourniquets for massive bleeding in limbs.</p>
<p>4/ Management - either chest decompression, pelvic binders, splint application, clamps or surgical intervention.</p>
<p>What are the 5 most common sites of internal haemorrhage?</p>
<p>1/ Chest</p>
<p>2/ Abdomen</p>
<p>3/ Retroperitoneum</p>
<p>4/ Pelvis</p>
<p>5/ Long Bones.</p>
<p>Describe the rapid neurological examination in the primary survey?</p>
<p>1/ Quick GCS</p>
<p>2/ Pupillary size and reaction</p>
<p>3/ Lateralizing signs</p>
<p>4/ Spinal cord injury level.</p>
<p>What can cause a reduce level of conciousness?</p>
<p>1/ Decreased cerebral oxygenation.</p>
<p>2/ Direct cerebral injury.</p>
<p>3/ Hypoglycaemia</p>
<p>4/ Drugs - alcohol, narcotics and other drugs.</p>
<p>What does the acronym AMPLE stand for and when should it be used?</p>
<p></p>
<ul> <li>A- Allergies</li> <li>M- Medications currently used</li> <li>P- Past illnesses/Pregnancy</li> <li>L- Last meal</li> <li>E- Events/Environment related to the injury.</li></ul>
<p>It should be used just prior to the secondary examination & can be obtained from patient, family or paramedics.</p>
<p>What must be given to all trauma patients?</p>
<p>Supplemental oxygen</p>
<p>Describe the importance of "the talking patient?" (p. 32)</p>
<p>The talking patient gives a positive, appropriate verbal response which indicates that their airway is patent, ventilation is intact and brain perfusion is adequate.</p>
<p>If someone has an altered level of consciousness what do they require? (p. 32)</p>
<p>A definitive airway</p>
<p>What is the definition of a definitive airway? (p.32)</p>
<p>A tube placed in the trachea with the cuff inflated below the vocal cords, the tube connected to some form of oxygen-enriched assisted ventilation, and the airway secured in place with tape.</p>
<p>What sort of patients may require a definitive airway due to compromised ventilatory effort? (p. 32)</p>
<p>1/ Unconscious patients with head injuries2/ Obtunded from alcohol & Drugs3/ Thoracic injuries</p>
<p>What is the purpose of endotracheal intubation? (p.32)</p>
<p>1/ Provide an airway2/ Deliver supplementary oxygen3/ Support ventilation4/ Prevent aspiration </p>
<p>Maintaining (blank) and preventing (blank) are critical in managing trauma patients, especially those who have sustained head injuries. (p.32)</p>
<p>1/ oxygenation2/ preventing hypercarbia</p>
<p>If a patient is unconscious and vomits or has gastric contents in his/her airway, what should you do? (p.32)</p>
<p>1/ Immediate suctioning2/ Rotation of the entire patient to the lateral position.</p>
<p>What 3 things can facial fractures be associated with? (p.32)</p>
<p>1/ Haemorrhage2/ increased secretions3/ Dislodged teeth</p>
<p>What can fractures of the mandible cause (especially bilateral body fractures?) (p.32)</p>
<p>Loss of normal airway structural support.</p>
<p>A fractured larynx manifests itself with a triad of clinical signs. What are they? (p.33)</p>
<p>1/ Hoarseness2/ Subcutaneous emphysema3/ Palpable fracture</p>
<p>If noisy breathing suggests partial airway obstruction, what does absence of breathing suggest? (p.33)</p>
<p>It suggests complete airway obstruction</p>
<p>What investigation would be useful if a fractured larynx is suspected? (p.33)</p>
<p>A CT</p>
<p>What are the 4 objective ways of finding signs of airway obstruction? (p. 33)</p>
<p>1/ OBSERVE- the patient may be agitated, fingers may be cyanotic, circumoral skin and nail beds may be poorly perfumed. The person may be using accessory muscles when breathing.2/ LISTEN- The patient may have noisy breathing, stridor which would indicate partial occlusion of the larynx or pharynx. Hoarseness implies laryngeal obstruction.3/ FEEL - for the location of the trachea to see if midline or deviated.4/ EVALUATE - Abusive or belligerent patients may be intoxicated.</p>
<p>In what 3 ways can a patients ability to ventilate be compromised? (p. 34)</p>
<p>1/ Airway obstruction2/ Altered ventilatory mechanics - chest trauma, c-spine injury (diaphragmatic breathing).3/ CNS depression - intracranial injury or drugs.</p>
<p>If someone has abdominal breathing and a probable spinal injury, what might have happened? (p. 34)</p>
<p>They have had a complete C-spine transaction, the intercostal muscles are paralysed but the phrenic nerves (C3-C4) are spared.(Remember C3, C4, C5 keep the diaphragm alive)</p>
<p>What is this airway devicecalled and how does it work?</p>
<p>A Multilumen esophageal airway. One of the ports communicates with the oesophagus whislt the other communicates with the trachea. The oesophagus port is then occluded with a balloon and the other ventilated.</p>
<p>What type of airway device is this?</p>
<p>This is a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA). It is a type of Extraglottic/Supraglottic airway device.</p>
<p>What airway device is this and how does this work?</p>
<p>This is a laryngeal tube airway. (LTA). It is placed without viewing the glottis and does not require significant manipulation of the head and neck. (Just like an LMA)</p>
<p>Name 3 Supraglottic/Extraglottic airway devices?</p>
<p>1/ Layngeal Mask Airway (LMA)</p>
<p>2/ Laryngeal Tube Airway (LTA)</p>
<p>3) Multilumen eosophageal airway .</p>
<p>Are Extraglottic and supraglottic airway devices definitive airways?</p>
<p>NO!! They are used when intubation attempts have failed or are unlikely to suceed.</p>
<p>How do you you know if ventilation is inadequate? (p.34)</p>
<p>1/ <strong>Look for:</strong></p>
<ul> <li>Asymmetrical chest expansion- <em>(i.e. penumothorax or flail chest.)</em></li> <li>Labored breathing</li></ul>
<p>2/<strong>Listen for:</strong></p>
<ul> <li>Decreased or absent breath sounds.</li></ul>
<p>3/<strong>Use a pulse oximeter.</strong></p>
<p>Describe the 4 step process of removing a helmet in a trauma patient?</p>
<p>1/ One person provides manual, inline stabilization of the head and neck.</p>
<p>2/ The other person expands the helmet laterally and removes it.</p>
<p>3/The first person then supports the weight of the patient's head.</p>
<p>4/ The second person then takes over inline stabilization.</p>
<p>What factors predict a potentially difficult airway?</p>
<p>1/ C-spine injury</p>
<p>2/ Severe arthritis of the c-spine</p>
<p>3/ Significant maxillofacial or mandibular trauma.</p>
<p>4/ Limited mouth opening</p>
<p>5/ Obesity</p>
<p>6/ Anatomical variations (e.g. receding chin, overbite or a short muscular neck.)</p>
<p>What does <strong>LEMON </strong>stand for?</p>
<p><strong>L</strong>- look externally</p>
<p><strong>E</strong>-evaluate using the 3-3-2 rule</p>
<p><strong>M-</strong>Mallampati</p>
<p><strong>O</strong>- Obstructions?</p>
<p><strong>N</strong>- Neck mobility</p>
<p></p>
<p>-</p>
<p></p>
<p>Describe the 3-3-2 Rule.</p>
<p>3= the distance between the incisor teeth.</p>
<p>3= the distance between the hyoid bone and the chin</p>
<p>2= distance between the thyroid notch and the floor of the mouth</p>
<p>Name and describe this maneouvre.</p>
<p>This is the chin lift maneuver. The fingers of one hand are placed under the mandible which is lifted gently upward.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It should NOT hyperextend the neck.</p>
<p>What maneuvre is this and describe it?</p>
<p>This is the Jaw-Thrust Maneuver. The angles of the lower jaw are grasped and the mandible is displaced forward.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Do NOT hyperextend the spine.</p>
<p>Name this airway and how do you insert it?</p>
<p>Oropharyngeal airway.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It is inserted into the mouth until it reaches the soft palate. It is then rotated 180 degrees and the device is slipped into place over the tongue.</p>
<p></p>
<p>NOTE: This method should NOT be used in children as it can damage the soft palate. In children, suppress the tongue and then insert it .</p>
<p>Who should Nasopharyngeal airways not be inserted in?</p>
<p>Cribiform plate fractures.</p>
<p>Name the 3 types of definitive airways.</p>
<p>1/ Orotracheal tubes</p>
<p>2/ Nastoracheal tubes</p>
<p>3/ Surgical airways (cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy).</p>
<p>Regarding airway management, what is the quickest killer?</p>
<p>Inadequate delivery of oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital structures.</p>
<p>Name the 5 types of shock.(p.63)</p>
<p>1/ Hypovolaemic (Most common)2/ Cardiogenic3/ Obstructive4/ Neurogenic5/ Septic</p>
<p>Cardiac Output = (1) x (2)</p>
<p>1= Heart rate2= Stroke volume</p>
<p>What is the definition of shock?</p>
<p>An abnormality of the circulatory system that results in inadequate organ perfusion and tissue oxygenation. (p.63)</p>
<p>Preload (volume of blood flowing back to the heart) = (1)+(2)+(3)</p>
<p>1/ Venous capacitance2/ Volume status3/ The difference between mean venous systemic pressure and right atrial pressure.</p>
<p>Stroke Volume = (1) + (2) + (3)</p>
<p>1/ Preload2/ Myocardial contractility3/ Afterload</p>
<p>How does the body respond to blood loss?</p>
<p>1/ Vasoconstriction of cutaneous muscle and visceral circulation occurs to preserve blood flow to the kidneys, heart and brain. 2/ Increase in heart rate to preserve cardiac output.</p>
<p>What endogenous chemicals are released that cause vasoconstriction?</p>
<p>1/ Catecholamines2/ bradykinin3/ Histamin4/ B-endorphins5/ Cytokins6/ Prostanoids.</p>
<p>What is the most effective way of restoring cardiac output and end organ perfusion?</p>
<p>Restore venous return by:1/ Stopping the source of bleeding.2/ Volume repletion</p>
<p>Inadequately oxygenated & perfused cells compensate by shifting to (BLANK) respiration which results in the formation of (BLANK) and the development of (BLANK).</p>
<p>1/Anaerobic respiration2/ Lactic acid3/ Metabolic acidosis</p>
<p>Name 2 proinflammatory mediators.</p>
<p>1/ Inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS)2/ TNF</p>
<p>Should vasopressors be given in shock?</p>
<p>No, they are contraindicated. Although they may increase BP. They worsen tissue perfusion by vasoconstriction.</p>
<p>Who should be called if there is shock in an injured patient?</p>
<p>A surgeon.</p>
<p>What should you assume if the patient is cool and has tachycardia?</p>
<p>They are in shock until proven otherwise.</p>
<p>How is tachycardia diagnosed in children?</p>
<p>Infants= >160bpmPreschoolers = >140bpmSchool age = >120bpmAdults = >100bpm</p>
<p>What may limited elderly patient's compensatory response to blood loss? (and thus they may not show signs of tachycardia)</p>
<p>1/ Drugs - diuretics,Beta blockers, CCB</p>
<p>2/PPM</p>
<p>(Look for a narrow pulse pressure in elderly patients who may have these factors in order to diagnose shock.)</p>
<p>3/ Relative decrease in sympathetic activity.</p>
<p>4/ Catecholamine receptor deficit</p>
<p>5 Reduced cardiac compliance.</p>
<p>6/ Pre-existing volume depletion</p>
<p>7/ Malnutrition</p>
<p>8/ Renal glomerular and tubular senescence - reduced responsiveness to aldosterone, catecholamines, vasopressin and cortisol.</p>
<p>What should you not use to estimate blood loss? What should you use instead?</p>
<p>Do not use haemoglobin or haematocrit as they are unreliable in the acute setting.Use lactate and base excess.</p>
<p>What is the most common cause of shock?</p>
<p>Haemorrhagic shock (after injury)</p>
<p>Name the 4 types of non-haemorragic shock?</p>
<p>1/ Cardiogenic2/ Neurogenic3/ Obstructive4/Septic</p>
<p>Name the causes of cardiogenic shock?</p>
<p>1/ MI2/ Cardiac tamponade3/ Air embolus4/ Blunt cardiac injury</p>
<p>How do you identify and treat a cardiac tamponade?</p>
<p>1/ Identify -</p>
<ul> <li>Tachycardia</li> <li>muffled heart sounds</li> <li>Dilated neck veins</li> <li>Hypotension resistant to fluid therapy.</li> <li>Most commonly seen after thoracic penetrating injury.</li></ul>
<p>2/ Treatment</p>
<ul> <li>Pericardiocentesis - temporarily</li> <li>Thoracotomy (Definitive)</li></ul>
<p></p>
<p>How do you identify and treat a tension pneumothorax?</p>
<p>1/ Identify</p>
<ul> <li>Absent breath sounds</li> <li>Tracheal deviation</li> <li>Hyperresonant percussion note over the affected hemithorax</li> <li>Acute respiratory distress</li> <li>Subcutaneous emphysema</li></ul>
<p>2/ Treatment</p>
<ul> <li>Immediate thoracic decompression (See Chapter 4 for more details)</li></ul>
<p>How does neurogenic shock cause hypotension?</p>
<p>Cervical or upper thoracic spinal cord injury can produce hypotension due to <strong>loss of sympathetic tone</strong>. This compounds the effects of hypovolaemia.</p>
<p>Do you get tachycardia in neurogenic shock?</p>
<p>No. Neurogenic shock is hypotension without tachycardia. <strong>A narrowed pulse pressure is not seen in neurogenic shock.</strong></p>
<p>What is the definition of haemorrhage?</p>
<p>An acute loss of circulating blood volume.</p>
<p>What percentage of body weight is there of blood in a normal adult and in a normal child?</p>
<p>Adult = 7% (~5L in 70kg male)</p>
<p>Child 8-9% (80-90ml/kg)</p>
<p>When should hemorrhage control and balanced fluid resuscitation be initiated?</p>
<p>When early signs and symptoms of blood loss are suspected NOT when blood pressure is falling or absent.</p>
<p>Which patients will need pRBCs and blood products as an early part of resuscitation?</p>
<p>Class III and Class IV haemorrhage.</p>
<p>What type of pRBC should females of childbearing age get and why? (p. 74)</p>
<p>Rh-negative cells in order to avoid sensitization and future complications.</p>
<p>If someone has an exsanguinating haemorrhage, what type of blood should they get?</p>
<p>Type O.</p>
<p>What temperature should we heat fluids to for hypotehermic patients in shock?</p>
<p>39C</p>
<p>This can be warmed in a microwave.</p>
<p>Can we warm blood products?</p>
<p>NO! They can be heated by passage through IV fluid warmers.</p>
<p>What is the definition of a massive transfusion?</p>
<p>The need for >10 units of pRBC in the first 24 hours of admission.</p>
<p>What does "<strong>balanced, hemostatic resucitation</strong>" (a.k.a. <strong>Damage control resuscitation</strong>) mean?</p>
<p>Th early administration of pRBC, plasma and platelts in order to minimize crystalloid administration.</p>
<p>Coagulopathy is present in up to (BLANK) severely injured patients on admission.</p>
<p>30%</p>
<p>What coagulation parameters should be used when deciding on the use of platelets, FFP, & cryoprecipitate?</p>
<p>1/ PT (prothrombin time)</p>
<p>2/ PPT (partrial prothrombin time)</p>
<p>3/ Fibrinogen.</p>
<p>4/ Platelet count</p>
<p>Do most patients that have blood transfusions require calcium supplementation?</p>
<p>NO</p>
<p>In order to correct inadequate organ perfusion, what do we need to reverse?</p>
<p>We need to reverse shock.</p>
<p>(increase organ blood flow and tissue oxygenation.)</p>
<p>Remember the definition of shock is the opposite of the above.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Who's law do we use increase blood pressure?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Ohm's law:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Blood pressure (V)= (I)Cardiac outputx (R)Systemic vascular resistance.</strong></p>
<p>REMEMBER: <strong>We care about in increase in cardiac output (I) NOT R.</strong></p>
<p>We do this by <strong>increasing stroke volume</strong> not heart rate. (<em>stroke volume=preload+contractility+afterload</em>)</p>
<p><strong>Vasopressors</strong> can <strong>increase R</strong> by <strong>vasoconstriction</strong>but with no improvement to end organ perfusion.</p>
<p>How much may blood volume increase by in athletes?</p>
<p>15 to 20%</p>
<p>How much can cardiac output increase by in athletes?</p>
<p>6 times.</p>
<p>How much can stroke volume increase in athletes?</p>
<p>50%</p>
<p>Who is more likely to suffer from hypothermia as a result of vasodilation?</p>
<p>A trauma victim under the influence of alcohol or exposed to the cold.</p>
<p>In mild to moderate hypothermia, how do you rewarm a patient?</p>
<p>Heat lamps, external warming devices, thermal caps, warmed IV fluids and warmed blood.</p>
<p>In severe hypothermia, how is a patient rewarmed?</p>
<p>Core rewarming. (Irrigation of the peritoneal or thoracic cavity with crystalloid solutions warmed to 39C</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>Extracorporeal bypass.</p>
<p>Why is CVP useful?</p>
<p>The CVP allows us to evaluate appropriate volume replacement.</p>
<p>What can cause pronounced increases in CVP?</p>
<ol> <li>Overtransfusion</li> <li>Cardiac dysfunction</li> <li>Cardiac tamponade</li> <li>Increased intrathoracic pressure from tension pneumothorax.</li> <li>Catheter malposition.</li></ol>
<p></p>
<p>What does a declining CVP suggest?</p>
<p>Fluid loss.</p>
<p>In what scenarios can you have an initial high CVP but actually have significant volume loss?</p>
<ol> <li>COPD</li> <li>Generalised vasoconstriction</li> <li>Rapid fluid replacement</li></ol>
<p>In what way can we misinterpret/over rely onCVP (central venous pressure)?</p>
<p>The <strong><u>precise measure</u> of <u>cardiac function</u></strong> is the <strong>relationship</strong> <strong>between</strong> <strong><u>ventricular end diastolic volume</u> and <u>stroke volume</u></strong></p>
<p><strong>NOT</strong></p>
<p><strong>Right atrial pressure (CVP) and cardiac output are insensitive measures.</strong></p>
<p>CVP is just a guide.</p>
<p>What are some complications of inserting a CVP line?</p>
<ol> <li>Infections</li> <li>Vascular injury</li> <li>Nerve injury</li> <li>Embolization</li> <li>Thrombosis</li> <li>Pneumothorax</li></ol>
<p>Injury to the upper chest can create a palpable defect in the region of the sternoclavicular joint, with posterior dislocation of the clavicular heads and upper airway obstruction. How do you reduce this injury?</p>
<p>1/ Closed reduction by extending the arm.</p>
<p>2/ Grasping the clavicle with a pointed instrument (e.g. a towel clamp) and manually reducing it.</p>
<p>What major thoracicinjuries should be picked up onand addressed during the primary survey?</p>
<ol> <li>Tension pneumothorax</li> <li>Open pneumothorax</li> <li>Flail Chest</li> <li>Pulmonary Contusion</li> <li>Massive haemothorax</li></ol>
<p>What type of shock is a tension pneumothorax?</p>
<p>Obstructive shock</p>
<p>How does a tension penumothorax develop?</p>
<ol> <li>A "one way valve" air leak occurs from the lung or through the chest wall.</li> <li>Air is forced into the pleural space without any means to escape.</li> <li>The mediastium is displaced to the opposite side, decreasing venous return and compressing the opposite lung.</li></ol>
<p>After intubation what is one of the common reasons for loss of breath sounds in the left thorax?</p>
<p>A right mainstem intubation.</p>
<p></p>
<p>(Be aware that this can happened and don't mistake it for a pneumothorax/haemothorax)</p>
<p>What are somecausesof a tension pneumothorax?</p>
<p>1) Mechanical ventilation with positive-pressure ventilation in patients with a visceral pleural injury. (Most common)</p>
<p>2) Blunt/penetrating chest trauma where the lung parenchyma injury fails to seal.</p>
<p>3) Post subclavian/Internal jugular venous catheter insertion.</p>
<p>4) Traumatic defects in the chest wall.</p>
<p>What signs and symptoms are seen with a tension pneumothorax?</p>
<ol> <li>Chest pain</li> <li>Air hunger</li> <li>Respiratory distress</li> <li>Tachycardia</li> <li>Hypotension</li> <li>Tracheal deviation away from the side of injury</li> <li>Unilateral absence of breath sounds over hemithorax.</li> <li>Elevated hemithorax w/o respiratory movement.</li> <li>Neck vein distension</li> <li>Cyanosis (late manifestation)</li></ol>
<p>How does one manage a tension pneumothorax?</p>
<p>1/Immediate decompression.- alarge bore needle is inserted into the second intercostal space in the midclavicular line.</p>
<p>2/ Definition treatment - insertion of a chest tube into the fifth intercostal space (usually at the nipple level) just anterior to the mixaxillary line.</p>
<p>What size needle should you use and what percentage chance will it be effective in chest decompression?</p>
<p>A 5cm needle will reach the pleural space >50% of the time.</p>
<p>An 8cm needle will reach the pleural space >90% of the time.</p>
<p>In what circumstances does an open pneumothorax occur?</p>
<p>It occurs when there is a large defect in the chest wall which allows atmospheric air to rush into the pleural space, thus equalizing atmospheric and intrathoracic pressure.</p>
<p>How is an open pneumothorax managed?</p>
<p>Temporary- A sterile occlusive dressing is placed over the wound with 3 sides taped down to provide a <strong>flutter valve</strong>.</p>
<p>As the patient breathes in the dressing occludes the wound and thus the lung expands. On breathing out, the open end of the dressing allows air to escape.</p>
<p>Definitive - surgery</p>
<p>Describe how a flail chest occurs and its management.</p>
<p>1/ Trauma causing multiple rib fractures in two or more adjacent ribs in 2 or more places.</p>
<p>2/ Initial management -</p>
<ul> <li>Adequate ventilation</li> <li>Administration of humidified oxygen</li> <li>Fluid resuscitation. (But fluid resuscitation should be used carefully so as not cause overload)</li> <li>IV morphine or intercostal blocks.</li></ul>
<p>3/ Final management - surgery</p>
<p>What is the definition of a massive haemothorax?</p>
<p>A rapid accumulation of more than 1500mL of blood or 1/3 or more of the patient's blood volumein the chest cavity .</p>
<p>What are thecommon causes of a massive haemothorax?</p>
<p>1/ A penetrating injury that disrupts the systemic or hilar vessels.</p>
<p>2/ Blunt pulmonary trauma</p>
<p>What are the signs of a massive hemothorax?</p>
<p>Shock associated with the abscence of breath sounds or dullness to percussion on one side of the chest.</p>
<p>How should a massive haemothorax be managed?</p>
<ol> <li>A 36 or 40 French chest tube is inserted in the nipple line just anterior to the midaxillary line.</li> <li>Continue to early thoracotomy if 1,500mL of fluid is immediately evacuated.</li> <li>If patients continue to bleed or they require persistent transfusions,then they may also require a thoracotomy.</li></ol>
<p>What is the most common cause of cardiac tamponade?</p>
<p>Penetrating injury.</p>
<p>How do you diagnose a cardiac tamponade?</p>
<p>Using Beck's Triad of 1/ Venous pressure elevation 2/ Decline in arterial pressure 3/ Muffled heart tones.</p>
<p></p>
<p>ECG - PEA is suggestive.</p>
<p></p>
<p>FAST Scan</p>
<p>How accurate is a FAST scan in finding pericardial fluid? (if used by an experienced user)</p>
<p>90-95%</p>
<p>How is a cardiac tamponade managed?</p>
<p>1/ Temporarily - pericardiocentisis</p>
<p>2/ Surgery - Pericardiotomy via thoracotomy.</p>
<p>What are some complications of a chest tube insertion?</p>
<ol> <li>Laceration or puncture of intrathoracic organs or abdominal organs.</li> <li>Infection</li> <li>Intercostal nerve damage</li> <li>Incorrect tube position</li> <li>Chest tube kinking or clogging</li> <li>Persistent pneumothorax - leak around the skin, leak in the underwater seal.</li> <li>Subcutaneous emphysema</li> <li>Recurrence of penumothorax upon chest drain removal.</li> <li>Lung fails to expand due to plugged bronchus.</li> <li>Anaphylactic or allergic reaction to prepartion.</li></ol>
<p>What are some complications of pericardiocentesis?</p>
<ol> <li>Aspiration of ventricular blood instead of pericardial blood.</li> <li>Laceration of ventricular epicardium/myocardium</li> <li>Laceration of coronary artery or vein.</li> <li>New hemopericardium secondary 2-3.</li> <li>Ventricular fibrillation (VF)</li> <li>Pneumothorax</li> <li>Puncture of esophagus with subsequent medistinitis.</li> <li>Puncture of peritoneum with peritonitis.</li> <li>Puncture of great vessels</li></ol>
<p>What does a "current of injury" mean?</p>
<p>In a pericardiocentesis, in the needle is advanced too far then on the ECG monitor one can see an extreme ST-T wave changes or widened & enlarged QRS complex.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If the myocardium is irritated then premature ventricular contractions can occur.</p>
<p>What maneuvers can be effectively accomplished with a resuscitative thoracotomy?</p>
<p>1/ Evacuation of pericardial blood causing tamponade</p>
<p>2/ Direct control of exsanguinating intrathoracic hemorrhage.</p>
<p>3/ Cross-clamping of the descending aorta to slow blood loss below the diaphragm and increase perfusion to the brain and heart.</p>
<p>Who are NOT candidates for resuscitative thoracotomy?</p>
<p>Patients who sustain blunt injuries and arrive pulseless but with PEA.</p>
<p>Who are candidates for immediate resuscitative thoracotomy?</p>
<p>Patientswith penetrating thoracic injuries who arrive pulseless butwith myocardial electrical activity.</p>
<p>What are the 8 thoracic injuries that should be identified during the secondary survey?</p>
<ol> <li>Simple pneumothorax</li> <li>Hemothorax</li> <li>Pulmonary contusion</li> <li>Tracheobronchial tree injury</li> <li>Blunt cardiac injury</li> <li>Traumatic aortic disruption</li> <li>Traumatic diaphragmatic injury</li> <li>Blunt esophageal rupture</li></ol>
<p>What is the most common cause of simle pneumothorax?</p>
<p>Lung laceration with air leakage from blunt trauma.</p>
<p>In what situation should you not transport someone to hospital who has a simple pneumothorax?</p>
<p>You should not transport them via air ambulance due to expansion of the pneumothorax at altitude. (even in a pressurized cabin)</p>
<p>How much blood is lost ina hemothorax? (not a massive hemothorax)</p>
<p><1500mL blood.</p>
<p>What is the primary cause of hemothorax?</p>
<p>Lung laceration or laceration of the intercostal vessel or internal mammary artery due to either penetrating or blunt trauma.</p>
<p>When is an operative exploration required for a hemothorax?</p>
<p>Guidelines for operative exploration are:</p>
<ol> <li>If 1500mL of blood is obtained immediately through the chest tube.</li> <li>If drainage of more than 200mL/hr for 2 to 4 hours occurs</li> <li>If blood transfusion is required.</li></ol>
<p>In what condition is pulmonary contusion most commonly seen?</p>
<p>Rib fractures.</p>
<p>Pulmonary contusion is the <strong>most common</strong> potentially lethal chest injury.</p>
<p>If someone were to have chest trauma & subsequent pulmonary contusion, when would you think about intubating & ventilating them?</p>
<p>If they have significant hypoxia (PaO2 of <8.6kPa or SaO2 of <90% on room air.</p>
<p>What is tracheobronchial tree injury?</p>
<p>Injury to the trachea or major bronchus.</p>
<p>Most injuries are within 1 inch of the carina.</p>
<p>Most patients die at the scene.</p>
<p>What are the most common symptoms of tracheobronchial tree injury and how is it best diagnosed?</p>
<ol> <li>Hemoptysis</li> <li>Subcutaneous emphysema</li> <li>Tension pneumothorax</li> <li>Incomplete expansion of the lung after placement of a chest tube.</li> <li>Extreme breathlessness.</li></ol>
<p>It is best diagnosed with a bronchoscopy</p>