Chapter 1: Trauma Flashcards
How can you tell that a patients airway is present?
- Patient is conscious
2. Speaking in a normal tone of voice
When should an airway be secured?
- If the patient is unconscious with a GCS of 8 or under.
- If breathing is noisy or gurgling
- Severe inhalation injury
- If necessary to connect patient to a respirator
How is an airway most commonly inserted?
Orotracheal intubation.
Under direct vision with use of a laryngoscope, while monitoring pulse oximetry
Can orotracheal intubation be done in the presence of cervical spine injury?
Yes, if the head is secured and not moved. Another option in this setting would be nasotracheal intubation over a fiber optic bronchoscope.
When is the use of a fiber optic bronchoscope mandatory?
If there is subcutaneous emphysema in the neck
The presence of subcutaneous emphysema in the neck is a sign of what?
A sign of major disruption of the tracheobronchial tree.
When do you resort to cricothryoidotomy?
- Laryngospasm
- Severe maxillofacial injuries
- Impacted foreign body that cannot be dislodged
How do you establish that breathing is okay?
- Hearing breathing sounds on both sides of the chest
2. Having a satisfactory pulse oximetry
What are the clinical signs of shock?
- Low blood pressure (90 mm Hg systolic)
- Tachycardia
- Low urinary output
What is considered a low urinary output?
Under 0.5 mL/kg/h
In a trauma setting, what causes shock?
- Hypovolemic-hemorrhagic shock (most common)
- Pericardial tamponade
- Tension pneumothorax
What event normally causes a pericardial tamponade or a tension pneumothorax?
There must be a trauma to the chest- blunt or penetrating
In shock caused by bleeding what is the CVP?
CVP is low due to empty veins clinically
What is the CVP a in cardiac tamponade?
The CVP is high
What is the CVP in a tension pneumothorax?
The CVP a is high presents as distended head and neck veins
How does a tension pneumothorax present?
- Severe respiratory distress
- One side of chest has no breath sounds
- Hyper resonant to percussion
- Tracheal deviation away from effected side
- All of the shock symptoms
What is the first step of treatment of hemorrhagic shock?
Volume replacement 2 L of lactated ringers
2 peripheral IV lines, 16 gauge
What is another way to access children for an IV line access?
In children under the age of 6, intraosseous cannulation of the proximal tibia is the alternative route
How is cardiac tamponade diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
Do not order X-rays, if unclear diagnosis chose sonogram
What is the management of cardiac tamponade?
- Pericardial window
- Pericardiocentesis
- Fluids!
How is a tension pneumothorax diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis!
What is the management of a tension pneumothorax?
- Start with a big needle into the affect pleural space
2. Chest tube connected to underwater seal
Where do you place the chest tube in a patient with tension pneumothorax?
Inserted high in the anterior chest
What are some causes of hypovolemic shock?
- Bleeding
- Burns
- Peritonitis
- Pancreatitis
- Massive diarrhea
How do you treat hypovolemic shock?
Treat by stopping the bleeding and blood volume replacement.
What are some causes of intrinsic cardiogenic shock?
- Massive myocardial infarction
2. Fulminating myocarditis
What does the CVP of intrinsic cardiogenic shock look like?
High CVP, big distended veins
What should you never ever give someone who is in intrinsic cardiogenic shock?
FLUIDS and blood!! Could be lethal
How do you treat intrinsic cardiogenic shock?
Circulatory support- ionotrops
When does vasomotor shock present?
- Anaphylactic shock
- High spinal cord transsection
- High spinal anesthetic
How does vasomotor shock present?
- Patient is pink and warm
2. CVP is low (circulatory collapse)
How do you treat vasomotor shock?
Pharmacological treatment to restore peripheral resistance (vassopressors)
Additional fluids will help
Do you need surgery in a penetrating head trauma?
Yes!
Do you operate on linear skull fractures? If so, when?
They are left alone if they are close (no overlying wound)
Open fractures require wound closure
What types of patients with head traumas get a CT scan?
All patients who has become unconscious to look for intracranial hematomas
When can a head trauma patient be released home?
If CT scan is negative and the patient is neurologically intact
What do chemical burns require on presentation?
Massive irrigation to remove the offending agent.
What are some examples of alkaline and acidic burns?
Alkaline burns: liquid plumr, drano
Acid burns: battery acid
Which type of burn is worse: Alkaline or acidic burns?
Alkaline burns
Do you try to neutralize the agent in a chemical burn?
No! Irrigation must begin as soon as possible at the site.
High-voltage electrical burns appear in what manner?
Always are deeper and worse than they appear to be.
What are some concerns associated with high-voltage electrical burns?
- Myoglobinemia- myoglobinuria- renal failure
- Orthopedic injuries secondary to massive muscle contractions
- Late development of cataracts and demyelinization syndromes.
What do you give to treat the myoglobinemia-myoglobinuria-renal failure in a patient who has had a high voltage electrical burn?
- Give plenty of fluids
- Osmotic diuretics like mannitol
- Alkalinize the urine
Where are some of the orthopedic injuries secondary to massive muscle contractions occur after a high voltage electrical burn?
- Posterior dislocation of the shoulder
2. Compression fractures of vertebral bodies
How do respiratory burns occur?
Occur with flame burns in an enclosed space and are considered chemical injuries caused by smoke inhalation.
How is diagnosis of inhalation injury confirmed?
With fiberoptic bronchoscopy