FA: exposure conditions

Question 1

signs and symptoms of sprains/strains

Answer 1

• Pain and swelling
• Limited range of motion
• Event history of twisting awkwardly, etc.

Question 2

treatment for sprains & strains

Answer 2

use RICE
R: rest. Encourage casualty to sit down/stop all activities. Avoid movement of injured area to prevent deterioration.

I: ice. Apply ice on injured area for less than 10 min.

C: compression. Use crepe bandage & tie figure of 8 over injured area. Check for capillary refill.

E: elevate. Lift injured area above heart level to improve blood circulation.

Evacuate to hospital if casualty is unable to bear weight on injured side after resting.

Question 3

what is a fracture? what is a dislocation?

Answer 3

fracture: bone break in one or more places
* Accompanied by an open wound —> open fracture
* If not/invisible from outside —> closed fracture

dislocation: bone is displaced from joint

DO NOT attempt to push bones back in place.

Question 4

signs & symptoms of fracture/dislocation

Answer 4

• Swelling, bruising or bleeding
• Abnormality in length
• Deformity of limb

*signs & symptoms for fractures & dislocations often not obvious, so the best indicator should be the presence/level of pain

Question 5

treatment for fracture/dislocation

Answer 5

• Call for ambulance
• Immobilise the area (using splints)
• Place cold packs on the area intermittently
• Cushion the limb

Question 6

how to use a splint?

Answer 6

• SAM Splint may be in first aid kits (it will say SAM SPLINT on the splint)
• Otherwise, DIY splints like cardboard & rolled newspaper work
• Splints must be large enough for the limb
• For better support, use bulky dressings/cushion/cloth/towel/splint padding

Steps:
1. Stop any bleeding with direct pressure, but NOT on the bone (for open fractures)
2. apply splint

Question 7

signs & symptoms of abrasion

Answer 7

• caused by friction against rough surfaces

Question 8

signs & symptoms of incision

Answer 8

• clean cut with regular edges
• caused by sharp object

Question 9

signs & symptoms of amputation

Answer 9

• severed part of body

Question 10

signs & symptoms of laceration

Answer 10

• wound with irregular edges
• usually cut by sharp/blunt object

Question 11

signs & symptoms of gunshot

Answer 11

• small, neat entry wound + large, ragged exit wound
• involvement in gunfight

Question 12

signs & symptoms of penetration

Answer 12

• object still deep in cavity/in-situ
• event history of knife stabbing or similar.

Question 13

signs & symptoms of contusion

Answer 13

• blue-black wound
• blow from blunt object

Question 14

treatment for wounds

Answer 14

1. clean wound with saline/disinfectant
2. wash debris/dirt off with water to prevent infection
3. cover wound with gauze/other non-adhesive dressing and tie to body (e.g. spiral bandage)

• amputation: tie a tourniquet to prevent excessive blood loss
• contusion: may indicate fracture if there is pain, swelling and inability to move the area. use cold compress for wound for no more than 20mins at a time, no direct contact between ice and skin.