First Aid Flashcards
What can you do to care for a cut?
apply pressure
clean with cool water
remove any debris with tweezers
gently wash around the wound with soap and a washcloth
cover with a band-aid
check daily for infection
True or false: iodine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide should be applied to cuts
false
they can harm the tissue and delay healing
How long does it take for wounds to heal?
2-4 weeks
What do people experience after their wounds have appeared to be healed?
itching because of the continued healing occurring under the skin
What are the best conditions for wound healing?
moist and wet environment
less necrosis, faster healing, and better quality of healing than the dry environment
How can you create a moist environment for your wound?
petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
How long should we wait before applying petroleum jelly to a wound?
let it clot for half an hour to let the scab form
-the clot probably forms in 2-3mins but err on side of caution
How do you apply petroleum jelly to a wound?
get the wound mostly closed then add Vaseline on top
OR you could also put the Vaseline on a band-aid and then use the band-aid to close the wound
Aside from petroleum jelly, what are options to create a moist environment for a wound?
bandaid
Opsite (overkill for minor cuts)
Polysporin (antibiotics not needed for minor cuts)
When should you seek help from an MD for skin injuries?
bleeding heavily, not stopping after 5-10 mins of pressure
deep or longer than 1/2 inch
close to the eye
large cut on the face
caused by puncture, dirty or rusty object
embedded with debris
ragged edges
caused by animal or human bite
excessively painful
signs of infection
have not had the tetanus vaccine within the past 5yrs
What are signs that a wound is infected?
increased warmth
redness
swelling
drainage
What are totally fine options to clean a wound?
cool water
saline
Identify the gram positive and gram negative antibiotics in Polysporin.
gram positive: bacitracin and gramicidin
gram negative: polymyxin
What is the decision process when it comes to Polysporin?
is it needed? (in the world of “just in case”)
cream or ointment? (doesnt matter)
lidocaine needed or not? (parents choice)
In regards to the decision of needing a topical antibiotic for a wound, what are the odds the wound is infected if its dirty? What if the wound was clean?
dirty: 20-30% chance of infection
clean: 1-5% chance of infection
What are the properties of honey in wound care?
antiseptic
promotes healing
Which wound types is honey most commonly used for?
leg ulcers
burns
pressure ulcers
diabetic foot ulcers
infected wounds
When is honey used in wound care?
when conventional antibacterials/antiseptics are ineffective
True or false: using raw honey for wound care is concerning because the fructose corn syrup can spread infection
true
the corn syrup could be a substrate for bacteria
What are our suggestions for the care of piercings or tattoos?
whatever the safety sheet says
True or false: always go with the generic bandaids because they are cheaper
false
rare situation where you go with the brand name product
What can you do as an alternative to band-aids in awkward areas?
liquid bandage
cut Opsite into strips or shapes
Describe liquid bandages.
should not sting
waterproof
for larger scrapes and abrasions
not for large, deep punctures
lasts ~5 days
What do liquid bandages look like when applied?
glistened skin
Describe Opsite.
transparent, adhesive film
for superficial wounds
moisture-vapor permeable
provides a moist environment for healing
waterproof
can be left on for 7 days
True or false: Opsite is mainly used in the nursing world
true
Describe Tegaderm.
protects minor wounds
allows skin to breathe
can be left on for 7 days
Differentiate between the layers of gauze.
outside layer: covers the wound, wont stick, protects and helps
keep out water, dirt, germs
middle layer: absorbent
Which tapes do you use if you need strong adhesion? What if you want a gentle tape?
strong adhesion: transpore, blenderm (plastic)
gentle: micropore (cloth)
How do we know if a cut can be managed without stiches?
superficial (does not involve fat or muscle)
not bleeding heavily
less than 1/2 inch long
does not involve the face
When should you seek out stiches for a cut?
cuts that are gaping
longer than 1/2 inch
dont stop bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure
What is the time frame that your injury should be stitched?
6-8 hours after injury
-how infected is the wound?
-will the stiches pack down a bunch of bacteria?
What are some other options to close wounds, aside from stiches?
Krazy glue
-clean cuts, not too long, no worry about damage
Dermabond
-wound has to be straight, not OTC in Canada
-for kids who are scared of stiches
True or false: it is good to use rubbing alcohol on an area of skin that is about to receive an injection
true
very different from using alcohol on an injury
What are keloids?
an inappropriate reaction to a cut
hyperkeratotic tissue
What is used for the treatment of keloids?
silicone sheet
What is first-aid for scrapes?
wash/rinse the area with soapy water
no need to scrub
cover the area with an adhesive bandage or gauze pad
watch for infection
How do we deal with bruises?
apply cold to the bruise for 15-20mins 4-5 times a day
True or false: arnica and vinegar are great for bruises
false
Differentiate between the types of burns.
first degree: red and painful, slight swelling, turns white when
pressure is applied
second degree: produces blisters, painful, skin is white or
charred
third degree: damages epidermis and dermis, skin is white or
charred, little or no pain
Which type of burn is the most painful?
second degree
What are the four classifications of burns?
chemical
electrical
radiation (sun)
thermal
What is a very common first degree burn?
sunburn
What steps should be taken immediately following a burn?
flush with cool running water