Chapter 23: Bleeding

Question 1

Discuss

How long can different organs function without blood supply?

Answer 1

Heart: 0 min. Brain and spinal cord: 4-6 min. Kidneys: 45 min. Skeletal muscles: 2 hrs.

Question 2

Discuss

What’s the most amount of blood loss the body can tolerate?

Answer 2

20% (1.2 L of typical 6 L adult)

Question 3

Discuss

What happens after a blood loss of more than 1 L in an adult?

Answer 3

Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension (shock)

Question 4

Discuss

S/S Internal bleeding

Answer 4

Pain, swelling, contusions, hematomas, bleeding from orifices, hematemesis, melena, hemoptysis, guarding

Question 5

Discuss

How to control external bleeding?

Answer 5

Direct pressure, elevation (as little as 6”), pressure dressing and splinting device, tourniquet (write TK and time applied on pt’s head)

Question 6

Discuss

What may mean a skull fx?

Answer 6

Bleeding from ears, nose, and mouth

Question 7

Discuss

How to treat skull fx?

Answer 7

Don’t apply direct pressure, loosely apply pressure with a bandage wrapped around the head

Question 8

Discuss

What is perfusion?

Answer 8

Circulation of blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet cell’s demand for O2, nutrients, waste removal

Question 9

Discuss

Precautions for tourniquet use

Answer 9

Do not apply over a joint, make sure it’s tightened securely, never use anything narrow, use wide padding underneath tourniquet to help with compression, never cover a TK with a bandage, never loosen after application