Exam 4: Vocab Flashcards
arterial bleeding
bleeding from an artery, which is characterized by bright red blood that is rapid, profuse, and difficult to control.
capillary bleeding
bleeding from capillaries, which is characterized by a slow, oozing flow of blood.
cardiogenic shock
shock, or lack of perfusion, brought on not by blood loss but by the heart’s inadequate pumping action. It is often the result of a heart attack or congestive heart failure.
compensated shock
when the patient is developing shock but the body is still able to maintain perfusion.
decompensated shock
when the body can no longer compensate for low blood volume or lack of perfusion. Late signs such as decreasing blood pressure become evident.
hemorrhage
bleeding, especially severe bleeding
hemorrhagic shock
shock resulting from blood loss
hemostatic agents
substances applied as powders, dressings, gauze, or bandages to open wounds to stop bleeding.
hypoperfusion
the body’s inability to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients
hypovolemic
shock resulting from blood or fluid loss.
neurogenic shock
hypoperfusion due to nerve paralysis (some- times caused by spinal cord injuries) resulting in the dilation of blood vessels that increases the volume of the circulatory system beyond the point where it can be filled.
perfusion
the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the body’s cells and tissues as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries
pressure dressing
a bulky dressing held in position with a tightly wrapped bandage, which applies pressure to help control bleeding.
shock
the body’s inability to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients, which is a life-threatening condition.
tourniquet
a device used for bleeding control that constricts all blood flow to and from an extremity.
venous bleeding
bleeding from a vein, which is characterized by dark red or maroon blood and a steady, easy-to-control flow.
abrasion
a scratch or scrape
amputation
the surgical removal or traumatic severing of a body part, usually an extremity
avulsion
the tearing away or tearing off of a piece or flap of skin or other soft tissue. This term also may be used for an eye pulled from its socket or a tooth dislodged from its socket.
bandage
any material used to hold a dressing in place
closed wound
an internal injury with no open pathway from the
outside.
contusion
a bruise
crush injury
an injury caused when force is transmitted from the body’s exterior to its internal structures. Bones can be broken; muscles, nerves, and tissues damaged; and internal organs ruptured, causing internal bleeding.
dermis
the inner (second) layer of the skin found beneath the epidermis. It is rich in blood vessels and nerves.
dressing
any material (preferably sterile) used to cover a wound that will help control bleeding and prevent additional contamination.
epidermis
the outer layer of the skin
full-thickness burn
a burn-in in which all the layers of the skin are damaged. There are usually areas that are charred black or areas that are dry and white
hematoma
a swelling caused by the collection of blood under the skin or in damaged tissues as a result of an injured or broken blood vessel.
laceration
a cut
occlusive dressing
any dressing that forms an airtight seal
open wounds
an injury in which the skin is interrupted, exposing the tissue beneath.
partial-thickness burn
a burn in which the epidermis (first layer of skin) is burned through and the dermis (second layer) is damaged. Burns of this type cause reddening, blistering, and a mottled appearance.
pressure dressing
a dressing applied tightly to control bleeding.
puncture wound
an open wound that tears through the skin and destroys underlying tissues. A penetrating puncture wound can be shallow or deep. A perforating puncture wound has both an entrance and an exit wound.
rules of nines
a method for estimating the extent of a burn. For an adult, each of the following areas represents 9 percent of the body surface: the head and neck, each upper extremity, the chest, the abdomen, the upper back, the lower back and buttocks, the front of each lower extremity, and the back of each lower extremity. The remaining 1 percent is assigned to the genital region. For an infant or child, the percentages are modified so 18 percent is assigned to the head, 14 percent to each lower extremity.
rule of palm
a method for estimating the extent of a burn. The palm and fingers of the patient’s own hand, which equals about 1 percent of the body’s surface area, is compared with the patient’s burn to estimate its size.
subcutaneous layers
the layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis.
superficial burn
a burn that involves only the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. It is characterized by reddening of the skin and perhaps some swelling. A common example is a sunburn. Also called a first-degree burn.
universal dressing
a bulky dressing
evisceration
an intestine or other internal organ protruding through a wound in the abdomen
flail chest
fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places that allows for free movement of the fractured segment
paradoxical motion
movement of ribs in a flail segment that is opposite to the direction of movement of the rest of the chest cavity
pneumothorax
air in the chest cavity
sucking chest wound
an open chest wound in which air is “sucked” into the chest cavity.
tension pneumothorax
a type of pneumothorax in which air that enters the chest cavity is prevented from escaping
angulated fracture
fracture in which the broken bone segments are at an angle to each other.
bones
hard but flexible living structures that provide support for the body and protection to vital organs.
cartilage
tough tissue that covers the joint ends of bones and helps to form certain body parts such as the ear.
closed extremity injury
an injury to an extremity with no associated opening in the skin.
comminuted fracture
a fracture in which the bone is broken in several places.
compartment syndrome
injury caused when tissues such as blood vessels and nerves are constricted within a space as from swelling or from a tight dressing or cast
crepitus
a grating sensation or sound made when fractured bone ends rub together
dislocation
the disruption or “coming apart” of a joint.
extremities
the portions of the skeleton that include the clavicles, scapulae, arms, wrists, and hands (upper extrem- ities) and the pelvis, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet (lower extremities).
fracture
any break in a bone
greenstick fracture
an incomplete fracture
joints
places where bones articulate or meet.
ligaments
tissues that connect bone to bone.
manual traction
the process of applying tension to straighten and realign a fractured limb before splinting. Also called tension.
muscles
tissues or fibers that cause movement of body parts and organs.
open extremity injury
an extremity injury in which the skin has been broken or torn through from the inside by an injured bone or from the outside by something that has caused a penetrating wound with associated injury to the bone.
sprain
the stretching and tearing of ligaments
strain
muscle injury resulting from overstretching or overexertion of the muscle
tendons
tissues that connect muscle to bone
traction splint
a splint that applies constant pull along the length of a lower extremity to help stabilize the fractured bone and to reduce muscle spasm in the limb. Traction splints are used primarily on femoral shaft fractures
air embolism
a bubble of air in the bloodstream.
ataxic respirations
a pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing commonly caused by brain injury.
autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary functions
central nervous system
the brain and the spinal cord
central neurogenic hyperventilation
a pattern of rapid and deep breathing caused by injury to the brain.
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
a distinct pattern of breathing characterized by quickening and deepening respirations followed by a period of apnea.
concussion
mild closed head injury without detectable damage to the brain. Complete recovery is usually expected but effects may linger for weeks, months, or even years.
contusion
in brain injuries, a bruised brain caused when the force of a blow to the head is great enough to rupture blood vessels.
cranium
the bony structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skull.
dermatome
an area of the skin that is in- innervated by a single spinal nerve.
forearm magnum
the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes from the brain.
hematoma
in a head injury, a collection of blood within the skull or brain.
herniation
pushing of a portion of the brain downward toward the foramen magnum as a result of increased intracranial pressure.
intracranial pressure (ICP)
the pressure inside the skull.
laceration
in brain injuries, a cut to the brain.
malar
the cheekbone. Also called the zygomatic bone.
mandible
the lower jawbone
maxillae
the two fused bones forming the upper jaw.
nasal bones
the bones that form the upper third, or bridge, of the nose.
nervous system
provides overall control of thought, sensation, and the body’s voluntary and involuntary motor functions. The components of the nervous system are the brain and the spinal cord as well as the nerves that enter and exit the brain and spinal cord and extend to the various parts of the body.
neurogenic shock
a state of shock (hypoperfusion) caused by nerve paralysis that sometimes develops from spinal cord injuries
orbits
the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets.
peripheral nervous system
the nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, the twelve pairs of cranial nerves that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord, and all of the body’s other motor and sensory nerves.
pulmonary embolism
a blockage in the blood circulation of the lung caused by a blood clot or air bubble
spinal motion restriction
the immobilization of the spinal column as if it were a single bone to prevent movement of individual vertebrae.
spinous process
the bony bump on a vertebra
temporal bone
bone that forms part of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial cavity. There are right and left temporal bones.
temporomandibular joint
the movable joint formed between the mandible and the temporal bone, also called the TMJ
vertebrae
the bones of the spinal column (singular vertebra).
multiple trauma
more than one serious injury
multisystem trauma
one or more injuries that affect more than
one body system.
trauma score
a system of evaluating trauma patients according to a numerical rating system to determine the severity of the patient’s trauma.
active rewarming
application of an external heat source to rewarm the body of a hypothermic patient.
air embolism
gas bubble in the bloodstream. The plural is air emboli
central rewarming
application of heat to the lateral chest, neck, armpits, and groin of a hypothermic patient
conduction
the transfer of heat from one material to another through direct contact.
convection
carrying away of heat by currents of air, water, or other gases or liquids.
decompression sickness
a condition resulting from nitrogen trapped in the body’s tissues, caused by coming up too quickly from a deep, prolonged dive. A symptom of decompression sickness is “the bends,” or deep pain in the muscles and joints.
drowning
the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid, which may result in death, morbidity (illness or other adverse effects), or no morbidity.
evaporation
the change from liquid to gas. When the body per- spires or gets wet, evaporation of the perspiration or other liquid into the air has a cooling effect on the body.
hyperthermia
an increase in body temperature above normal, which is a life-threatening condition in its extreme.
hypothermia
generalized cooling that reduces body temperature below normal, which is a life-threatening condition in its extreme.
local cooling
cooling or freezing of particular (local) parts of the body.
passive rewarming
covering a hypothermic patient and taking other steps to prevent further heat loss and help the body rewarm itself.
radiation
sending out energy, such as heat, in waves into space.
respiration
breathing. During respiration, body heat is lost as
warm air is exhaled from the body.
toxins
substances produced by animals or plants that are poisonous to humans.
venom
a toxin (poison) produced by certain animals such as snakes, spiders, and some marine life forms.
water chill
chilling caused by the conduction of heat from the body when the body or clothing is wet.
wind chill
chilling caused by convection of heat from the body in the presence of air currents.
