Head Injuries And Spinal Injuries Flashcards
Signs and symptoms for minor head injuries:
-Loss of response
-Scalp Wound
-Dizziness
-Loss of memory/confusion
-Headache
What to do for minor head injuries
1)Sit them down and put an ice pack on their head.
2)Check level of response using AVPU scale
3) Treat any wounds using dressings if needed
4) Call 999 if they’re very confused
What to do if person is unresponsive.
1)Call 999
2)make sure their airway is open and breathing is fine
3)start CPR
4) Do not move the casualty if spinal injury is suspected.
Serious head injuries symptoms
1)Severe blow to head
2)very drowsy
3)serious headache
4)vomiting episodes
5)Seizure
6)unresponsive
7)Unequal pupil size
8)Blood stained liquid coming from ear or nose
What is the AVPU scale
-Are they alert? Are their eyes open?
-Verbally responsive? Can they respond to questions?
-Pain response? Do they respond the pain (pinch earlobes)
-Unresponsive?
Causes of spinal injuries?
-Falling
-Rugby scrum
-Deceleration of vehicle
-injury to head
-heavy object falling on back
Symptoms of spinal injury
-pain in neck/back
-Twist in spine
-paralysis
-loss of bladder control,
-breathing difficulty
What to do for unresponsive spinal injury?
1)Reassure the casualty and call 999
2)Support their head and neck so that they are in a straight line and prevent further damage.
3)open the airway using the jaw thrust technique
4)Check breathing
5)If not breathing perform cpr and find AED
What is the jaw thrust technique?
Put your fingertips at the angles of the jaw and lift the jaw to open the airway. Do not tilt neck
What to do for a responsive spinal injury?
1)Reassure the casualty and call 999
2)Support their head and neck so that their spine head neck are in a straight line.
3)Ask someone to put clothes/towels/blamket under on either side of head keep in neutral position.
4)keep monitoring until help arrives
