ch 9 Flashcards
Abrasion
• Superficial scraping of the skin
• Usually caused by friction (e.g., falling on pavement)
• Treatment: Clean thoroughly to remove debris, mild soap and water
Laceration
• Open wound with jagged or smooth edges
• Caused by sharp objects or significant force
• Treatment: Control bleeding, clean, close (with medical help if needed)
Avulsion
• Partial or complete tearing away of skin and tissue
• Treatment: Save avulsed tissue, control bleeding, seek medical attention
Puncture
• Penetrating wound caused by sharp, pointed object
• High risk of infection due to difficult cleaning
• Treatment: Clean thoroughly, monitor for infection, tetanus prophylaxis
Contusion
• Closed wound caused by blunt force
• Blood vessels damaged beneath unbroken skin
• Treatment: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
Arterial
Bright red, spurting with pulse
Venous
Dark red, steady flow
Capillary
oozing from superficial wounds .
controlling external bleeding
• Direct pressure with sterile dressing (primary method)
• Maintain pressure for at least 15 minutes
• Add dressings as needed; don’t remove blood-soaked ones
• Elevation of injured extremity
• Pressure points (as supplementary method)
• Tourniquets only as last resort for life-threatening bleeding
internal bleeding
• Signs: Bruising, swelling, pain, tenderness
• Additional signs: Anxiety, restlessness, weak rapid pulse, shock symptoms
• Treatment: Recognize early, seek medical attention, treat for shock
cleaning wounds
• Clean from center outward
• Use soap and water or antiseptic
• Remove debris carefully
• Exception: Don’t clean wounds with impaled objects
dressings and bandages
• Dressing: Material that covers the wound (sterile)
• Bandage: Material that holds dressing in place
bandaging principles
• Bandage distal to proximal (away from heart toward heart)
• Check circulation after bandaging
• Not too tight or too loose
• Cover entire dressing
bandaging techniques
• Circular: Around cylindrical body parts
• Spiral: Limbs and fingers
• Figure-eight: Joints (ankles, knees, wrists)
• Tubular: Fingers and toes
special considerations
• Impaled Objects: Never remove; stabilize in place
• Amputations: Control bleeding, save amputated part
• Eye Injuries: Cover both eyes to prevent sympathetic movement
Nosebleeds: Lean forward, pinch soft part of nose for 10+ minutes
when to seek medical attention
• Deep or gaping wounds
• Wounds that won’t stop bleeding
• Embedded objects or debris
• Animal or human bites
• Signs of infection
• Wounds on face (potential scarring)
• Wounds over joints or tendons
signs of infection
• Increasing pain, redness, swelling
• Warmth around wound
Pus or discharge
• Red streaks extending from wound
• Fever
prevention measures
• Clean hands before wound care
• Clean wound thoroughly
• Use sterile dressings
• Change dressings regularly
• Monitor for signs of infection
fractures
• Closed: Skin intact
• Open: Bone protrudes through skin
• Complete: Bone separated into two parts
• Incomplete: Partial break (greenstick in children)
• Comminuted: Bone shattered into multiple fragments
dislocations
• Joint surfaces separated
• Deformity, loss of function
often accompanied by ligament damage
sprains
• Stretch or tear of ligaments
• Grades: I (stretch), Il (partial tear), III (complete tear)
• Common at joints (ankles, knees, wrists)
strains
0 Stretch or tear of muscles or tendons
• Grades: I (mild), II (moderate), III (severe) |
• Common in back, hamstrings, shoulders
signs and symptoms fractures
• Pain, swelling, deformity
• Inability to use or bear weight
• Grating sensation (crepitus)
• Bruising, tenderness
signs and symptoms dislocation
• Visible deformity of joint
Pain, swelling
Immobility of joint
o Numbness or tingling
signs and symptoms sprains
• Pain with movement
Swelling, bruisir
•Limited mobili
o Instability of joint
signs and symptoms strains
• Pain with movement
Swelling, bruising
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness
RICE Protocol
• Rest: Avoid use of injured area
• Ice: Apply cold 15-20 minutes, every 2-3 hours
• Compression: Elastic bandage to reduce swelling
• Elevation: Raise injured area above heart level
When to Seek Medical Attention
- All suspected fractures and dislocations
- Severe sprains or strains
- Inability to move or bear weight
- Numbness or tingling after injury
- Deformity of limb or joint
- Open wounds associated with bone injury
Key Concepts to Remember
- Safety First: Ensure scene safety before providing care
- Proper Assessment: Check for additional injuries
- Control Bleeding: Primary concern in open wounds
- Prevent Infection: Clean wounds properly
Immobilization: Prevent further injury with proper splinting
Monitor: Check CSM regularly - RICE: Standard treatment for most musculoskeletal injuries
When in Doubt: Treat as a worst-case scenario and seek medical attention
