Dr. P's notes Flashcards
Which is taken care of first, the airway, or a cervical spine issue?
Airway
If there is SQ emphysema in the neck, then what type of device is used to place an airway? Why?
Endoscope
Is a sign of major trauma to the tracheobronchial tree
What happens to CVP with tension pneumothorax and pericardial tamponade respectively?
Both elevated
What is the type of fluid used in the trauma patient
2 L of LR, followed by packed RBCs
Is it appropriate to wait to obtain a CXR for a tension pneumothorax?
No
What is the treatment for cardiogenic shock?
Do not administer fluids or blood–circulatory support
What happens to CVP with cardiogenic shock?
Increased
What is the general indication for surgical treatment of a skull fracture?
Left alone if they are closed–open, comminuted, or depressed fractures require surgical intervention
What other part of the body must be assessed/imaged if there is a basilar skull fracture?
C-spine
What type of intubation must be avoided in patients with a basilar skull fracture?
Nasotracheal
What are the three components that can cause neurological damage in the head trauma patient?
- Initial blow
- Hematoma that develops afterward
- Increased ICP
What is the classic sequence of events for an epidural hematoma?
Trauma, unconsciousness, lucid interval, coma
Lens-shaped hematoma = ?
Epidural
Semilunar, crescent shaped infarct = ?
Subdural hematoma
True or false: mannitol is contraindicated in an acute subdural hematoma
False–indicated.
What is the treatment for diffuse axonal injury?
Decrease ICP
What is the cause of a subdural hematoma?
Rupture of bridging veins
True or false: hypovolemic shock cannot happen from intracrainial bleeding
True–not enough space for the bleed
What is the general workup for penetrating neck trauma to the upper zone?
Arteriographic study
What is the general workup for penetrating neck trauma to the base of the neck?
arteriography
Esophagogram
Esophagoscopy
True or false: Stab wounds to the upper and middle zones in asymptomatic patients can be safely observed.
True
What are the s/sx of Brown-Sequard syndrome?
Loss of pain contralateral
Loss of proprioception ipsilateral
What are the s/sx of anterior cord syndrome?
Loss of motor function and loss of pain/ temp sensation on both side distal to the injury
-Preserved proprioception and vibratory sense
What is the cause, and s/sx of central cord syndrome?
Forced hyperextension of the neck
-Paralysis and burning pain in the UE, but normal LE
What is the treatment for a rib fracture?
Local nerve block and an epidural catheter
What is a common complication of a rib fracture in an elderly patient?
Atelectasis 2/2 pain, leading to pneumonia
What is the treatment for a sucking chest wound?
Three sided flap to let air out, but not in
What happens to the chest with flail chest?
Goes out during expiration, and in during inspiration (paradoxical breathing pattern)
What is the problem with a flail chest? What is the appropriate management?
Consution of the lung
Fluid restriction and the use of diuretics
What is the treatment for a pulmonary contusion?
Deteriorating ABGs, white out on CXR
What type of injury usually produces a traumatic rupture of the aorta? S/sx?
- Sudden deceleration
- Asymptomatic until adventitia that is holding in the blood ruptures and kills the patient
What are the s/sx of a traumatic rupture of the trachea?
Emphysema in the upper chest or lower neck
Emphysema in the upper chest is suspicious for what disorders?
Esophageal rupture
Tracheal rupture
Tension penumo
What is the treatment for an air embolism?
Left side down
cardiac massage
What is the treatment for a fat embolism?
Respiratory support
What are the two major indications for avoiding laparoscopic exploration of a stab wound?
- No bulging viscera or peritoneal signs
- VSS
When does blunt trauma to the abdomen require laparoscopic exploration?
If there are signs of peritoneal irritation or shock
What are the three locations in the body that can hide blood in trauma?
Thighs
Abdomen
Pelvis
What is the old alternative to a FAST exam?
Peritoneal lavage
What is the treatment for intraoperative development of coagulopathy?
Ffp
What are the exams that should be done on a patient with a pelvic fracture?
Retrograde urethrogram pelvic exam, and DRE
What is the Hallmark symptom of Urologic injury?
Hematuria
What prostate finding is associated with urethral injuries in men?
High riding
What should be done in a suspected case of a urethral injury?
Retrograde urethrogram
When are scrotal hematomas concerning?
If the testicle is ruptured
What is the order of repair in terms of the following: nerves vasculature bone?
Bone
Vasculature
Nerves
Why give copious amounts of IVFs with electrical burns?
Myoglobinemia may lead to renal failure
What is the best diagnostic criteria to determine if someone with smoke inhalation injury needs oxygen?
ABGs
What is the concern with circumferential burns of the extremities?
Cut off blood supply as edema accumulated underneath the eschar
What are escharotomies, and what are their indications?
Breakdown of an eschar
Done in the case of circumferential burns
What causes the hypovolemic shock in burn patients?
Movement of fluids into burn areas
What is the goal urine output and CVP in burn patients?
- 2 mL/kg/hr
- Avoid CVP over 15 mmHg
What is the protocol for burn patients with over 20% burn surface area?
1 L / h of LR
What is the standard topical agent for burn patients?
Silver sulfadiazine
When is a skin graft indicated for a burn patient?
If not healed after 2-3 weeks of supportive measures
what are the signs of envenomation of a snake bite?
severe local pain, swelling, and discoloration developing within 30 minutes of the bite.
True or false: Antivenin dosage relates to size of the envenomation, not size of the patient
True
What is the only valid first aid technique for a snake bite?
Splint the extremity (no icing, tourniquet, or cutting)
What are the coral snakes colors, and why are these concerning?
Red on yellow, kill a fellow
Deadly neurotoxin
What is the characteristic feature of black widow spiders, and what is the antidote to their venom?
Red hourglass on stomach
IV calcium gluconate
What is the treatment for brown recluse spider bites?
Surgical excision PRN
What is the treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Treatment is abduction splinting with Pavlik harness for about 6 months.
What is Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease? S/sx?
Avascular necrosis of the femoral epiphysis
insidious development of limping, decreased hip motion, and hip (or knee) pain.
What is slipped capital femoral epiphysis? S/sx?
When they sit with the legs dangling, the sole of the foot on the affected side points toward the other foot. On physical exam there is limited hip motion, and as the hip is flexed the thigh goes into external rotation and cannot be rotated internally.
What is the general position that patients place their hip in with a septic hip?
Flexed, slight abduction, and external rotation
Genu varum is normal up to what age?
3 years
Genu valgum is normal between what ages?
4-8
What is osgood-Schlatter disease? S/sx?
(osteochondrosis of the tibial tubercle) is seen in teenagers with persistent pain right over the tibial tubercle, which is aggravated by contraction of the quadriceps.
What is clubfoot (talipes equinovarus)?
Both feet are turned inward, and there is plantar flexion of the ankle, inversion of the foot, adduction of the forefoot, and internal rotation of the tibia.
What is the treatment for club foot?
Serial plaster casts
How do supracondylar fractures of the humerus usually happen? What is the major complication that can arise from this?
FOOSH
Vascular or nerve injuries can easily occur, and they could lead to Volkmann contracture.
When is open reduction and fixation required when a growth plate is involved?
If the plate itself it broken, not just displaced
What is the age range that bone tumors usually affect?
10-25
What part of the bone does Ewing’s sarcoma usually affect?
Diaphysis of long bones
What are some of the common presenting symptoms of bone cancers?
Fractures or bone pain
Where do most metastatic bone cancers come from in women and men?
Women = breast Men = prostate
What is the drug that can be used it multiple myeloma if chemotherapy is ineffective?
Thalidomide
What is the usual position of the arm when the shoulder is anteriorly dislocated? Posteriorly?
Anterior = Close to body, but like about to shake your hand
Posterior = close in and internally rotated
What is a colles fracture? treatment?
fracture and posterior displacement of the distal radius
Treat with close reduction and long arm cast
What is a monteggia fracture?
Night stick fracture