Head Injuries and illnesses

Question 1

How to respond to a head injuries

Answer 1

→ If casualty is unconscious DRS ABCD should be followed and bleeding from the skull should be controlled
→ If bleeding from ear casualty should be placed in recovery position with bleeding ear facing down to drain fluids
→ casualty should be referred onto further medical aid
If skull feels spongy don’t place any direct pressure but rather use pads and indirect pressure to ocntrol bleeding

Question 2

signs of a head injuries

Answer 2

→ Any los of consciousness
	→ Signs of injury to face such as bleeding or bruising 
	→ Any change such as becoming groggy or drowsy 
	→ Blurred or double vision
	→ Headache 
	→ Dizziness or vertigo 
	→ Confucius or memory loss
	→ Seizures
	→ Nausea and or vomiting 
Bleeding from ear, nose or mouth

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of spinal injuries?

Answer 3

→ Pins and needles or numbness in the upper or lower limbs- may indicate spinal cord is already damaged
→ Weakness or inability to move limbs
→ Pain around neck or spine
→ Headache, dizziness, altered conscious state
→ Nausea
→ Breathing difficulties
→ Shock
→ Loss of bladder or bowel control
If you notice any of the above ambulance should be contacted immediately

Question 4

Priorities of management in spinal cord injuries

Answer 4

1. Calling 000
   
   2. Management of air ways, breathing and circulation
      ○ Follow DRS ABCD management of their air ways takes precedence over any spinal injury
      ○ Unconscious breathing casualty should be carefully placed in recovery
   3. Spinal care
      ○ If conscious but complaining of pain, weakness or altered sensation in the neck or limbs instruct them to remain still
      ○ Avoid moving the casualty unless necessary
      ○ If movement is necessary take additional steps to immobilise the neck and spine to avoid movement in any direction such as manually holding the head or neck

Question 5

Marijuana

Answer 5

○ One of the most frequently used illicit drugs

Simulants, depressants and hallucinogens

Question 6

Cocaine

Answer 6

○ Strong stimulant to central nervous system and is very addictive
Can be taken via injection, smoking or snorting

Question 7

Ecstasy

Answer 7

○ Taken as a capsule or tablet

○ Affects the serotonin system which plays a large role in regulating mood, sleep, aggression and sensitivity to pain

Question 8

LSD

Answer 8

○ A synthetic hallucinogen that is found in tablet, capsule or liquid form
Signs include increased pulse, raised temperature, irritability, odd behaviour, increased respiration, swearing, nausea and vomiting

Question 9

Signs of symptoms of Poisons

Answer 9

→ Difficulty breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath 
	→ Burning in the throat and mouth 
	→ Nausea 
	→ Vomiting 
	→ Altered mental state 
Unconsciousness or even cardiac arrest

Question 10

How to manage being poisoned?

Answer 10

→ The first step is to identify the suspected poison and ensure that it is not a danger to yourself or others
→ If safe to do so attempt to separate the casualty from the substance
→ If the poison is swallowed and the casualty is conscious give them a sip of water to wash out their mouth. Don’t ask them to swallow or attempt to vomit
→ Once separated from the poison contact the poisons information centre on 131126. this is a 24h national hot line
Some poisons have specific antidotes if possible attempt to identify the poison as this will significantly assist diagnosis and treatment

Question 11

What’s the number for the Poision Information Center

Answer 11

131126

Question 12

What’s the treatment for Chemical Exposure and Poisoning

Answer 12

→ Assess airways, breathing and circulation
→ Continuously rinse with copious amounts of water or saline until the symptoms subside
→ Irrigate eye with copious amounts of water
→ Encourage blinking this will help flush out the spray from the eyes
→ Treat bronchospasm with asthma inhaler
If at any stage the casualty becomes unconscious follow DRS ABCD

Question 13

symptoms of Blunt Trauma to the Eye

Answer 13

blood in the eye, penetrating objects, disturbance of vison, protrusions of eye contents, severe pin and spasm. They also might see flouters

Question 14

Treatment of Blunt Trauma to the Eye?

Answer 14

→ DRS ABCD 000
→ Est casualty in semi-sitting position and reassure
→ ask casualty to keep injured eye closed
→ Place a cool damp cloth onto injured eye
→ Cover the injured eye with a sterile eye pad and gently secure into place using a bandage or hypoallergic tape
→ Monitor casualty until arrival of medical personnel

Question 15

Treatment of Foreign Body in the eye

Answer 15

→ DRSABCD
→ Une a clean cloth to remove any partials from the area surrounding the eye
→ If the small foreign object is visible use damp cotton swab to remove
→ If it’s not removed flush out the eye with steady constant stream using saline or clean water. Tilt the casualty’s head while gently pulling the eyelid as you flush the eye
→ If the lodged object cant be removed cover the injured eye with a sterile eye pad and gently secure into place using a bandage or hypoallergic tape
Seek medical attention

Question 16

Signs of stroke

Answer 16

○ F= facial weakness: has their mouth or eye drooped can they smile
○ A= Arm weakness: can the person raise both arms
○ S = speech difficulty : is their speech clear and easily understood
T= time to act fast: call 000

Question 17

what does FAST stand for

Answer 17

facial weakness
arm weaknes
speech difficulty
time to act fast

Question 18

other Signs of stroke

Answer 18

→ Difficulty in swallowing
→ Dizziness, an unexplained fall or loss of balance
→ Loss of vision, sudden blurred or decreased vision in one eye
→ Abrupt onset of a headache, usually severe
→ Sleepiness, drowsiness
→ Confusion
→ Level of consciousness in reduced
One side of the body showing most of the symptoms

Question 19

Management for stroke

Answer 19

→ Get them to do 3 basic tasks such as smile, raise there hand and say a simple sentence if they struggle it indicates an early stroke
→ Call 000 if stroke is suspected or in doubt
→ Keep them comfortable
→ Don’t give them anything to eat or drink
→ Raise and support their hear and shoulders and monitor the airways
→ Don’t leave them unattended
→ Administer oxygen if available and trained to do so
→ Provide reassurance
→ If they become unconscious but is breathing normally place into recovery
CPR if not breathing normally

Question 20

Management for ear injuries

Answer 20

→ have the casualty lay on their side ear facing down. Gently pull the ear back to straighten up the ear canal with gravity to help the small object may fall out
→ If an insect, shine a bright like into the ear to encourage the insect to escape. Or lay the casualty flat on their side ear up and drizzle clean vegetable oil or baby oil into their ear allow it to settle for 15sc then tip oil out
→ Seek medical assistance immediately if:
○ The ear swollen, red and displaced outward, fever, discharge, bleeding, increasing pain
○ If the object is a battery
If unsuccessful in removing the object