First Aid and Minor Injuries Flashcards
What is the definition of first aid?
the initial assistance or treatment given to a person who is injured or taken ill
What are the first aid priorities?
- assess the situation quickly and calmly
- protect yourself and casualties from danger
- prevent cross contamination
- comfort and reassure casualty
- assess the casualty (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SURVEY)
- give early treatment and treat the casualty with the most serious conditions first
- arrange for help
What are the steps of primary survey?
- assure a safe approach
- assess for responsiveness
- shout for help
- open airway
- assess breathing
- call 999/112
- perform first aid
What does ABCDE stand for
A - airway
B - breathing
C - circulation
D - disability
E - exposure
what occurs during A - airway?
- open the airway
- inspect if anything is obstructing
- maintain
what occurs during assessing the breathing?
is breathing present, does it sound normal
what happens during the circulation stage? (ABCDE)
- check pulse
- check capillary refill
- skin temp and colour
what happens during the disability stage?
- check the neurological function
- GCS
- pupils
what happens during the Evaluate stage?
evaluating potential injuries or illness
What is the definition of shock?
life threatening condition that occurs when the body does not get enough blood flow. Lack of oxygen and nutrients
Why does cardiogenic shock occur?
Heart problems
Why does hypovolemic shock occur?
too little blood volume
Why does anaphylactic shock occur?
allergies
Why does septic shock occur?
infections
Why does neurogenic shock occur?
damage to the nervous system
What are the signs of hypovolemic shock?
Tachycardia - rapid heartbeat
Tachypnoea - quick, shallow breathing
feeling weak
reduced energy
confusion
reduced urine output
hypotension
cool, clammy skin
What are the steps of secondary survey?
- take history of the details of the illness/ injury, how it occured
- look for external clues, e.g. medical alert jewellery, medication, medical card
- examine the casualty head to toe
What are the steps of the head to toe assessment?
- apply PPE
- communicate with the casualty, gain consent, assess consciousness
- start at the head, check for bleeding, check eyes and pupil size
- check mouth and airway, check skin and temperature (down back of neck)
- check upper body for any irregularities or sensation loss. Ask casualty to bend/straighten each joint.
- Examine hips and pelvis. Check legs and colour and movement in toes also.
- dispose PPE
- wash hands, call 999 if required. If in practice, document
What are 5 types of injuries that the minor injury unit can treat?
- sprains and strains
- some fractures
- wound infections
- minor burns and scalds
- minor head injuries
- bites and stings
- minor eye injuries/conditions
- minor back, shoulder and chest injuries
What is a strain?
It is caused by over stretching/tearing the tendons or muscles that support a joint
What is a sprain?
It is caused by over stretching/tearing the ligaments of the joint
What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon?
ligaments - connect bone to bone
tendons - connect muscle to bone
How does a bruise occur?
When a muscle, tendon or ligament sustains a blow forceful enough to injure the capillary network under the skin
What is a fracture?
a break in the continuity of the bone
What is the treatment of sprains and strains?
RICE
R - rest
I - ice
C - compression
E - elevation
What is the treatment of a fracture?
- immobilise the limb
- immobilise the joints above and below the fracture
- use of splints, slings and cast
what are the different types of plasters?
- back slab
- plaster of paris
- synthetic casts
- swimming casts
