ECare - Chapter 28 (Musculoskeletal Trauma) Flashcards
cartilage
tissue covering joint ends; also forms certain body parts
mechanisms of musculoskeletal injury
direct force, indirect force, and twisting force
signs of a fracture
painful, swollen, or deformed extremity
traction splint
splint that applies constant pull along length of lower extremity to stabilize fracture and reduce muscle spasm
use for femur
fracture
break in bone
comminuted fracture
bone is broken in many places
greenstick fracture
incomplete fracture
angulated fracture
broken bone is bent at an angle
dislocation
disruption of a joint
sprain
stretching and tearing of ligaments
strain
overstretching of muscle
compartment syndrome
injury caused when tissues such as blood vessels and nerves are constricted in a space from swelling, tight casting, or cast
crepitus
grating sensation/sound when fractured bone ends rub together
patient assessment: musculoskeletal injuries
Pain or tenderness Pallor Paresthesia (pins and needles) Pulses diminished in injured extremity Paralysis Pressure
Patient Care: Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Primary assessment
- Secondary assessment & apply cervical collar if needed
- Splint extremities (if unstable immobilize whole body and go)
- cover open wound with sterile dressings, elevate, and cold pack
when to realign injuries
only to restore effective circulation and hold splint
realigning injuries
- EMT 1 holds distal extremity while EMT 2 places hand above and below injury
- EMT 1 provides manual traction in direction of long axis; should be no resistence
- continue until properly aligned
manual traction
applying tension to straighten and realign fractured limb before splinting
rigid splints
limb needs to be moved to anatomic position; use for long bone injuries
formable splints
can be molded; use for joint injuries in the way it was found
traction splints
femur fractures
splinting long bone/joint injuries
- stabilize injury site
- PMS
- Realign injury if deformed or no pulse
- measure splint
- Apply and secure splint
- PMS
contraindication for traction splint
pelvis, hip, knee injury, partial amputation where traction could separate extremity, injury to lower third of leg
application of traction splint
- stabilize leg and apply manual traction
- PMS
- Apply splint
- ischial strap (proximal securing device)
- distal securing device (ankle hitch)
- mechanical traction
- PMS