Blunt Force Trauma Flashcards
What is blunt force trauma?
AR
impact with a dull, firm surface from external source
Most common manner of death
AR
Accidental
T or F: Because blunt force trauma is present, that is the cause of death.
AR
False
Three main types
AR
contsiom, abrasion, & laceration
Another word for bruise
AR
Contusion
What is an abrasion?
Scraping of superficial layers of skin from friction on skin (HS)
What is a laceration?
Bursting of skin from compression (HS)
What is an avulsion?
A more severe laceration that “opens like a book” (HS)
What is crepitus?
Bones (or a broken bone) grinding (HS)
What is a flail chest?
An uneven chest wall that results from three or more broken ribs (HS)
True or False: children bruise the same way the adults do.
False.
(KW)
What can you do as a MDI if you suspect blunt force trauma but there isn’t any that’s visible?
You can perform a CT scan.
(KW)
True or False: blunt force injuries are only ever external.
False, internal injuries occur from blunt force trauma as well.
(KW)
What are some examples of internal injuries that occur due to blunt force traumas?
Fractures, Internal organ lacerations, etc.
(KW)
What are some situations that may result in blunt force traumas?
Falls, bite wounds, transportation fatalities (ex: car crashes), blast/crush injuries.
(KW)
What is a contusion?
Also known as a bruise, there is no break in the skin and is the result of ruptured blood vessels
(NA)
What do different color bruises represent?
Red: right after injury
Purple, black, blue: 1-2 days
Green, yellow: 5-10 days
yellow-brown: 10-14 days
(NA)
What is tissue bridging?
tissues connecting the two edging of the injury, helps determine if the injury is a laceration or not
(NA)
What can bleeding from the ears represent?
Can be a sign of a basilar skull fracture
(NA)
What are racoon eyes?
Blackening around the eyes as a result of skull facture
(NA)
