First Aid Flashcards
Advantages and disadvantages of the recovery position
Advantages: simple, quick, no equipment and postural drainage
Disadvantages: no definitive airway - aspiration may still happen
Wound definition
An injury to living tissue caused by a blow, cut or other impact, typically causing skin to become broken
Closed Wounds
Contusions, bruises and crush injuries
Damage to blood vessels under the epidermis
pain and swelling
haemorrhagic shock can occur due to internal bleeding
Abrasions and Lacerations
Abrasions: caused by friction and often affects the superficial layer but can go deeper, may contain dirt. Consider nerve endings and infection
Laceration: Tearing or splitting of skin due to blunt trauma
Incisions and Punctures
Incisions: breaking of skin due to a sharp object, usually clean. Consider depth and structures beneath
Punctures: penetrating wounds due to sharp, narrow objects. Leave object inside
Avulsions and Amputations
Avulsions: top layer of skin tearing, more common in elderly or as a result of poor manual handling techniques
Amputations: partial or complete severing of a digit or limb, take missing parts to the hospital
Bites and Gunshots
Bites: what has bitten the person? lacerations and bruising
Gunshots: caused by a projectile object moving at speed, entry wound and potential exit wound. Varying amounts of damage
What types of haemorrhage cannot be assessed?
bruising
nose bleeds
haemothorax
intercranial
Characteristics of capillary haemorrhage
slow and even flow
bright red colour
Characteristics of venous haemorrhage
steady and slow flow
Dark red colour
Characteristics of arterial haemorrhage
spurting blood
pulsating flow
bright red colour
General signs of an internal haemorrhage
SOB, chest pain, dizziness, bruising around navel or sides of abdomen, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine, abdominal pain, signs of shock, bleeding from nose and mouth
Signs of a head haemorrhage
weakness on one side, headache, tingling, visual and auditory disturbances, issues with speaking and chewing
Signs of bleeding into joints and muscles
reduced range of motion, joint pain and swelling
Grey Turner’s Sign
large retroperitoneal haemotoma
blood enters the space behind the posterior reflection fo the abdominal peritoneum
Management of haemorrhage: direct pressure
with cloth, tissue or gauze
check for foreign bodies
if blood bleeds through then apply more cloth, tissue or gauze but leave the old one in-situ
Management of haemorrhage: elevate limb
raise limbs to reduce blood flow
raise them above the level of the heart
simple plaster/ gauze with conforming bandage wrapped around
Management of haemorrhage: dressings
cover wound and edges
hold the dressings at edges - do not touch wound
check distal circulation before and after
Management of haemorrhage: foreign objects
if they are small enough then remove them with water
if not, leave them in the wound
protect the area with sterile gauze
Management of haemorrhage: haemostatic dressing
thin bandages or gauze that have chemicals that help seal the wound
use to pack wounds
Management of haemorrhage: tourniquets
consider in the presence of severe haemorrhage that cannot be relieved by direct or indirect pressure
warn patient of pain and place 2-3 inches above bleeding site
Stage 1 of hypovolaemic shock
up to 750ml blood loss
vital signs remain normal
Stage 2 of hypovolaemic shock
compensation stage
750-1500ml blood loss
100-120 bpm
RR = 20-30
Reduced BP
Pt will be mildly anxious
Stage 3 of hypovolaemic shock
Decompensated stage
1500ml-2000ml
120-140bpm
RR = 30-40
Reduced BP
Pt will be anxious and confused
Stage 4 of hypovolaemic shock
irreversible stage
over 2000ml blood loss
pulse rate greater than 140bpm
RR will be above 35
Reduced BP
Pt will be confused and lethargic
Symptoms of hypovolaemic shock
pallor, cold peripheries, anxiety, abnormal behaviour, tachycardia, tachypnoea and altered consciousness
Name the types of fractures
transverse, open, oblique, comminuted, avulsed, spiral and greenstick
Types of force than can cause fractures
Direct - blunt force such as in RTCs
Indirect - bone breaks a distance away from point of impact
Pathological conditions - reduction in calcium - weaker bones
What should be considered when asking about the mechanism of injury for a fracture?
How did it happen
establish a mental image of the direction of the force, magnitude and duration
ask pt to demonstrate on the uninjured limb
ask if the patient could mobilise immediately after the injury if it was on the lower limbs
Fracture assessment key points (4)
check joint below and above the fracture
inspection: swelling, deformity, wounds, haemorrhage and colour changes
Palpation: injured and surrounding area. assess severity of pain
check the range of movement, motor function and sensation feeling
Signs and Symptoms of Fractures
B SLIP DUCT
bruising, swelling, loss of function, irregularities, pain, deformity, unnatural movement, crepitus and tenderness
6Ps of a musculoskeletal assessment
Pain or tenderness
Pallor - pale skin or poor capillary refill
Paraesthesia
Pulses - diminished or absent
Paralysis
Pressure - potential for compartment syndrome
Advantages of immobilisation
reduces pain
prevents further injury
ensures vascular and neurological supply to affected area
reduces risk of fat embolism
promotes recovery
