Chapter 25: Trauma Overview

Question 1

What are examples of causes of significant injuries?

Answer 1

Multisystem traumas, falls from hights, MVC, MC, MVA crashes, car vs pedestrian crashes, GSW, stabbings

Question 2

What is your index of suspicion?

Answer 2

Awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries

Question 3

What are the MOI of MVC?

Answer 3

death of an occupant in the vehicle, severe deformity of vehicle or intrusion, severe rear damage, rotational crashes ejection

Question 4

What injuries should be expected in a frontal collision?

Answer 4

Extremity and internal injuries

Note what if seat belts were used or if air bags were deployed

Question 5

What can occur in a rear collision?

Answer 5

Whiplash: head/neck injury, brain injury

Question 6

What are the steps of a rapid trauma assessment?

Answer 6

Head- DCAPBTLS, crepitus
Neck- DCAPBTLS, crepitus
Chest- DCAPBTLS, crepitus, breath sounds x4
Abdomen- DCAPBTLS, firmness, distension
Pelvis- DCAPBTLS, crepitus (compress gently
Extremities- DCAPBTLS, crepitus
Posterior: Thoracic, lumbar, buttocks, legs, DCAPBTLS, crepitus, incontinence

Question 7

What are the baseline vitals you are looking for?

Answer 7

Pulse rate, quality, and regularity
Respiration rate, quality, and regularity
Blood Pressure
Skin- CTC

Question 8

What are the steps of a detailed physical exam?

Answer 8

Head- DCAPBTLS, crepitus
Face- DCAPBTLS, crepitus, check the 7 holes
Neck- DCAPBTLS, crepitus, c-spine, JVD, TD
Chest- DCAPBTLS, crepitus, palpate, breath sounds x6
Abdomen- DCAPBTLS, firmness x 4 quadrants
Pelvis- DCAPBTLS, crepitus
Genitals- Priapism
Extremities DCAPBTLS, crepitus, PMS x 4
Posterior: Thoracic, lumbar, buttocks, legs, unless done in rapid, DCAPBTLS, incontinence

Question 9

What signs first indicates transport to a trauma center?

Answer 9

GCS =< 13, BP < 90, respiratory <10, >29, or need for ventilatory support

Question 10

What secondary signs indicate transport to a trauma center?

Answer 10

Penetrating