Chapter 27 - Soft Tissue Injuries Flashcards
know them all
Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.
abrasion
An injury resulting from a sharp, piercing object.
penetrating wound
The linings of body cavities and passages that communicate directly or indirectly with the environment outside the body.
mucus membranes
Burns that affect only the epidermis, characterized by skin that is red but not blistered or actually burned through.
superficial burns
Injuries in which there is a break in the surface of the skin or the mucous membrane, exposing deeper tissue to potential contamination.
open injuries
Injuries in which soft-tissue damage occurs as a result of thermal heat, frictional heat, toxic chemicals, electricity, or nuclear radiation.
burns
Burns that affect the epidermis and some portion of the dermis but not the subcutaneous tissue, characterized by blisters and skin that is white to red, moist, and mottled.
partial-thickness burns
An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.
avulsion
A deep, jagged cut in the skin.
laceration
An injury in which part of the body is completely severed.
amputation
Burns that affect all skin layers and may affect the subcutaneous layers, muscle, bone, and internal organs, leaving the area dry, leathery, and white, dark brown, or charred.
full-thickness burns
A burn caused by an open flame.
flame burns
A buildup of blood beneath the skin that produces a characteristic blue or black discoloration as
the result of an injury.
ecchymosis
The fiber-like connective tissue that covers arteries, veins, tendons, and ligaments.
fascia
The presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient’s body.
contamination
A sharp, smooth cut in the skin.
incision
The displacement of organs outside of the body.
evisceration
An airtight dressing that protects a wound from air and bacteria; a commercial vented version allows air to passively escape from the chest, while an unvented dressing may be made of petroleum jelly–based (Vaseline) gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic.
occlusive dressing
Objects that penetrate the skin but remain in place.
impaled objects
The outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body.
epidermis
Injuries in which damage occurs beneath the skin or mucous membrane but the surface of the skin remains intact.
closed injuries
An injury that occurs when a great amount of force is applied to the body.
crushing injury
A burn caused by heat
thermal burn
Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue.
compartment syndrome
A burn caused by hot liquids.
scald burn
A mass of blood that has collected within damaged tissue beneath the skin or in a body cavity.
hematoma
A burn caused by exposure to hot steam.
steam burn
A burn caused by direct contact with a hot object.
contact burn
Infected with rabies
rabid
A system that assigns percentages to sections of the body, allowing calculation of the amount of skin surface involved in the burn area.
rules of nines
A burn caused by exposure to very intense heat, such as in an explosion.
flash burn
Significant metabolic derangement that develops when crushed extremities or body parts remain trapped for prolonged periods. This can lead to renal failure and death.
crush syndrome
The skin protects the body by _____
keeping pathogens out and water in and assisting in body temperature regulation.
Three types of soft-tissue injuries are
Closed injuries
Open injuries
Burns
Closed soft-tissue injures are characterized by a history of
blunt trauma
pain at the site of injury
swelling beneath the skin, and
discoloration.
Contusions, hematomas, and crushing injuries are classified as
closed injuries.
Treat closed soft-tissue injuries by applying mnemonic RICES:
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Splint
Injuries that are classified as open injuries are
Abrasions
lacerations
avulsions
penetrating wounds
Treat an open soft-tissue injury by
applying direct pressure with a sterile bandage using a roller bandage,
splint the extremity
use a tourniquet when necessary to control bleeding
Burns are serious and painful soft-tissue injuries caused by
heat (thermal)
chemicals
electricity
radiation
Burns are classified primarily by
the depth and extent of the burn injury, and
the body area involved
Burns are considered to be
superficial,
partial-thickness, or
full-thickness
based on the depth of tissue involved.
When providing emergency care for burns, do the following:
Use standard precautions to protect yourself from potentially contaminated body fluid and to protect the patient from potential infection.
Ensure you have cooled the burned area to prevent further cellular damage.
Remove jewelry and constrictive clothing; never attempt to remove any synthetic material that may have melted into the burned skin.
Ensure an open and clear airway, provide high-flow oxygen, and be alert to signs and symptoms of inhalation injury such as difficulty breathing, stridor, or wheezing.
Place sterile dressings over the burn areas; to prevent hypothermia, cover the patient with a clean blanket. Provide prompt transport.
Dressings and bandages are designed to
control bleeding
protect the wound from further damage
prevent further contamination
prevent infection
Contusion
is a bruise from an injury that causes bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin.
Excited delirium is
A serious behavioral condition in which a person exhibits agitated behavior combined with disorientation, hallucinations, ,or delusions; also called agitated delirium or exhaustive mania.
Flash burn
a burn caused by exposure to very intense heat, such as in an explosion.
A burn that is characterized by redness and pain is classified as a
superficial burn
A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is call a(n)
contusion
A hematoma develops when
large blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged.
A partial-thickness burn involves the outer layer of skin and a portion of the:
dermal layer.
An abdominal evisceration:
occurs when organs protrude through an open wound.
Functions of dressings and bandages include:
protection from further injury, control of external hemorrhage, and prevention of contamination.
Functions of the skin include:
sending information to the brain,
regulation of body temperature, and
maintenance of water balance.
When assessing a patient with a closed soft-tissue injury, it is most important to:
remain alert for more severe underlying injuries.
When treating a partial-thickness burn, you should:
avoid the use of creams, lotions, or antiseptics.
Which of the following is a severe burn in a 35-year-old patient?
Circumferential partial-thickness burn to the chest.
