Bleeding

Question 1

2 categories of bleeding

Answer 1

Internal bleeding
External bleeding

Question 2

Classifications of bleeding

Answer 2

Arterial - blood spurts out and is bright red
Venous - blood flows out and is dark red
Capillary - blood oozes out in minor wounds

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of bleeding

Answer 3

Pallor of the skin and mucous membrane
Cold clammy skin
Rapid and weak pulse
Rapid shallow respiration
Yawning and sighing
Gasping for air

Question 4

Methods of controlling bleeding

Answer 4

Directed pressure with a bandage
Indirected pressure by elevation
Digital pressure on an artery

Question 5

Areas where digital pressure can be applied are

Answer 5

Brachial artery - Bleeding from the arm
Femoral artery - Bleeding from the lower legs
Temporal artery - Front half of the scalp, the temple and the forehead

Question 6

PEC treatment for severe external bleeding

Answer 6

Apply directed pressure to the wound as quick as possible.
If the wound is large and wide open, you may have to bring the edges of the wound together first
Elevate the injury while keeping pressure on the wound
Place the casualty at rest
Quickly apply clean dressing directly onto the wound.
Check circulation below the injury
Bandage the dressing tight enough to stop bleeding and not to cut off circulation.
Treat for shock

Question 7

PEC treatment for Epistaxis ( Nose bleed

Answer 7

Sit casualty down.
Do not reposition the head
Advice casualty to breathe through the mouth
Pinch soft part of the nose for a maximum of 10 minutes and release
Clear airway if casualty vomits swallowed blood
Do not allow casualty to stoop over a basin or blow the nose
Loosen tight clothing around the neck.

Question 8

PEC Treatment for:
Partial Amputation

Answer 8

Stop bleeding either with / Indirect or digital pressure
Keep the partial amputated part as near to normal position as possible
Cover with clean dressing or cloth
Keep it dry and cool

Question 9

Complete Amputation

Answer 9

Stop bleeding by digital pressure
Place the amputated part in clean watertight bag and seal the bag
Place the first bag in another bag with cold water or crushed ice if available
Label amputated part with casualty’s particulars i.e. name, date and time of incident.
Transport the amputated part with casualty immediately to medical facility.
Treat for shock.
Reassure the casualty

Question 10

Causes of fractures

Answer 10

Directed impact
Transmitted impact
Muscular action

Question 11

Three types of fractures

Answer 11

Closed fracture - no open wound
Open fracture - skin wound, possibly with bone
Complicated fracture - Broken bones with injuries to underlying structures of the body e.g. fractured ribs may cause injury to the lungs.

Question 12

Signs and symptoms of a fracture

Answer 12

Pain and tenderness
Loss of movement
Mobility of limb at site of fracture
Deformity /shortening
Swelling
Discolouration (bruising)
Crepitus (grating)
Shock increases with severity of injury
Bleeding wound in open fractures

Question 13

Manangement of a Closed fracture

Answer 13

Do not move the injured part
Steady and support the fracture
Assess circulation on affected part
Immobilise the fracture with a splint
Support splints with bandages

Question 14

Open fracture

Answer 14

N.B. Add the following treatment to the above:
Stop bleeding if there is an open wound.
Do not put pressure on the protruding bone
Clean the wound around and away from the protruding bone
Apply a clean dressing around the protruding bone.
Or make a ‘tent’ to cover the bone depending on the length of the protruding bone
Make a ring pad large enough to cover the protruding bone
Support the ring pad with bandages.
Treat for shock