EM MED TRUAMA Flashcards
What are the two classifications for respiratory failures
Type 1 respiratory failure
- Hypoxia without hypercapnia
- Conditions that affect oxygenation but not necessarily ventilation
PNA, PE
- Treatment focuses on optimizing oxygenation
Type 2 respiratory failure - Hypoxia with hypercapnia - Conditions that affect ventilation COPD - Treatment focuses on optimizing oxygenation & supporting ventilation
High flow NC is best in what pts?
High-flow NC is best in patients with hypoxia & intact respiratory drive
ADE of using etomidate for induction
Myoclonic jerking and SZR in awake pts
No analgesia
ADE of using propofol as an induction agent
Apena and HOTN
No analgesia
ADE of using ketamine as an induction agent
Increase secretions and BP
ADE of succs
Bradycardia, elevated ICP, increased IOP
Hyperkalemia in burns, crush injuries; days after injury
Prolonged apnea with myasthenia gravis
Malignant Hyperthermia -Tx with Dantrolene and ice
Masseter spasm – BVM and dose with non-depolarizing agent Vs cricothyroidotomy
C/I for Sucs
Hyperkalemia (preexisting)
Burns > 5 days old (new literature >3)
Crush injury >5 days old
Infection >5 days old
Denervation injury >5 days old
Preexisting myopathies
C/I for a cric
Massive trauma to the larynx or cricoid cartilage?
Damage to the affected structures will make it impossible to perform the procedure properly
Children <12
2 goals of tx for head trauma
Prevent HOTN and 2nd brain injury
Uncal hernitation
Most common type
Occurs when the uncus of the temporal lobe is displaced inferiorly through the medial edge of the tentorium
Compression of parasympathetic fibers running with CN III
-> Ipsilateral fixed and dilated pupil due to unopposed sympathetic tone
Further herniation compresses the pyramidal tract
-> Results in contralateral motor paralysis (Babinski)
Eventually Bilateral decerebrate (extension) posturing
Central Transtentorial herniation
2/2 mid line lesions in the brain
Bilateral pinpoint pupils
Bilateral Babinski’s signs
Increased muscle tone
Then fixed midpoint pupils, prolonged hyperventilation & decorticate posturing
Cerebellotonislar herniation
occurs when the cerebellar tonsils herniate through the foramen magnum (brainstem compression)
Pinpoint pupils, flaccid paralysis, and sudden death (mortality 70%)
Upward transtentorial herniation
due to a posterior fossa lesion
(upper brainstem compression)
Conjugate downward gaze
Absence of vertical eye movements
Pinpoint pupils
Eye components of the GCS
E(4)
4 Spontaneous
3 to verbal
2 to pain
1 no response
Verbal GCS
V5
5- Oriented 4-confused 3-innapprop words 2-innapprop noises 1-no response
Motor GCS
Motor (6)
6-Obey commands 5-Localizes pain 4-withdrawals from pain 3-decorticate 2-decerebate 1-no response
A pt with a single fixed dilated pupil =
Intracranial hematoma with uncal herniation that requires rapid surgical decompression
Pt with bilateral fixed and dilated pupils
Increased ICP with poor brain perfusion, bilateral uncal herniation, drug effect (such as atropine), or severe hypoxia
Bilateral pinpoint pupils
Opiate exposure or central pontine lesion
In decorticate posturing
Where is the injury
Above the level of the midbrain
All patients >65 y/o with trauma above the clavicles get
head CT and +/- cervical spine imaging
Primary goals of Head truama MGMT
Prevent secondary injury by maintaining cerebral perfusion and oxygenation
Optimize intravascular volume and ventilation
Correct hypoxia, hypotension
Recognize and treat elevated ICP
Consult neurosurgery to evacuate intracranial mass lesions
Treat other life-threatening injuries
Criteria for ICP monitoring in a pt with NML head CT
Consider ICP monitoring for patients with normal head CT scan if two or more of the following criteria are met (consult with neurosurgery):
- Age over 40 years
- Unilateral or bilateral motor posturing
- Systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg
How to control head bleeds (external)
If direct pressure is not effective, locally infiltrate lidocaine with epinephrine and clamp or ligate bleeding vessels
Before closure, carefully examine wounds to identify foreign bodies, underlying fractures, and galeal lacerations
Skull fractures that are open or depressed, involve a sinus, or are associated with pneumocephalus should be given
antibiotics
vancomycin 1gm IV and ceftriaxone 2gm IV
Define basilar skull fx
Most common basilar skull fracture involves the petrous portion of the temporal bone, the external auditory canal, & the TM
Patients with acute CSF leaks are at risk for
meningitis
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended
What is the most common CT finding in pts with moderate to severe TBI
Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage is the most common CT abnormality in patients with moderate to severe TBI
Present with headache, photophobia, and meningeal signs
Time frame to detect Sub arch hem
Generally, CT scans performed 6 to 8 hours after injury are sensitive for detecting traumatic SAH
Pts most at risk of sub dural hem
Elderly
Alcoholic
Peds under 2
Time frame for chronic Subdural
2 weeks
Cause of DAI
Sheering forces (decel injuries)
punctuate hemorrhagic injury along the grey-white junction of the cerebral cortex
DAI
Tx for penetrating brain trama
Intubate
Treat with prophylactic antibiotics (vancomycin 1gm & ceftriaxone 2gm)
33 vertebrae
7 12 5 5 4
MC and 2nd MC spinal injuries
Cervical then Thoracolumbar
Pairs of spinal nerves
31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral 1 coccygeal
What is the most vulnerable part of the spine
C7-T1 junction
This designation is important because transitional zones sustain the greatest amount of stress during motion and are most vulnerable to injury
What is the assoc S/s of sacral fxs
Sacral fractures that involve the central sacral canal can produce bowel or bladder dysfunction
Define spinal shock
Patients in spinal shock lose all reflex activities below the area of injury, and lesions cannot be deemed truly complete until spinal shock has resolved