hemorrhaging and soft tissue injuries

Question 1

what is the function of blood?

Answer 1

• transport O2, nutrients, waste products
• protection against disease (WBC)
• maintain body tempeture.

Question 2

what are the 3 external bleeds?

Answer 2

• arterial
• venous
• capillary

Question 3

what are arterial bleeds?

Answer 3

• life threatening bleeds.
• involved with a deep cut
• bright red in colour
• spurts with each heart beat, and are high pressure.
• quick and severe blood loss.

Question 4

what are venous bleeds?

Answer 4

• most common
• dark red in colour
• steady flow, less pressure.

Question 5

what are capillary bleeds?

Answer 5

• another post common
• red in color.
• oozes, low pressure.

Question 6

what are the 4 phases of wound healing?

Answer 6

1. exudative phase
   - wound is filled w/ fibrin and coagulated blood.
2. resorptive phase
   - scavenger cells remove dead cells and germs
3. proliferative phase.
   - new cells are formed
4. repair phase
   - cells are formed around the edge of the wound and new skin is created.
   - wound finally closes.

Question 7

what is a granulation wound?

Answer 7

• wound that has a gap with no edges.
• tissue grows from the inside of the wound to the surface.
• slower healing process.

Question 8

what are signs of local infection?

Answer 8

• swelling & redness around the wound
• warm to the touch
• throbbing pain
• pus discharge

Question 9

what are s/s of systemic infection?

Answer 9

• fever, nausea, fatigue
• swollen lymph nodes
• red streaks
• life threatening
• this is when a infection moves into the blood.

Question 10

what is tetanus?

Answer 10

• serious infection that is caused by bacteria clostridium tetanus. (soil, dust, animal faces, metal)
• introduced into the body through a wound caused by a contaminated object.

Question 11

s/s of tetanus?

Answer 11

• difficulty swallowing
• irritability
• headache
• fever
• muscle spasms near affacted area

Question 12

what is gangrene?

Answer 12

• bacteria infection that thrives in the absence of O2 or loss of blood supply to area.
• turns into flesh eating disease.
• affected area starts to turn black

Question 13

how do you care for an external bleed?

Answer 13

• apply direct pressure on the wound.
• compress the blood vessels
• restrict blood flow
  (this allows for blood clotting)

Question 14

what are the rules to fallow when using dressings and bandages for external bleeds?

Answer 14

• patient is seated or in recumbent position
• place direct pressure on the wound
• apply sterile dressing. (at least 2x)
• apply a bandage over the dressing to maintain direct pressure and to hold the dressing in place.
• if blood soaks through, keep adding dressing and bandages.
• apply tourniquet as a last resort.

Question 15

what are 3 specific rules with dressing and bandages to fallow?

Answer 15

• avoid covering fingers and toes, unless injured.
• apply bandage distal to proximal
• avoid using narrow bandages.
• check PS

Question 16

why do you use stitches?

Answer 16

• helps speed up healing, and reduce scars.

Question 17

what requires stitches?

Answer 17

• a hemorrhaging wound
• jagged edges
• • 2.5 cm (1”) long
• cut to face or head
• gapes widely, shows bone or muscle
• on JT, hands or feet
• large deep punctures.
• human or animal bites.

Question 18

when are tourniquets used?

Answer 18

• when al other interventions are not working to stop a external bleed.
• mass casualty where no available responders to control hemorrhaging.
• unsafe enviorment and quick removal.
• hemorrhaging from a wound that cannot be assessed.
• this is a tight band that wraps around a limb that cuts off blood flow. (life over limb)

Question 19

what are internal bleeds?

Answer 19

• escape of blood from artery, veins or capillaries into spaces inside the body.

Question 20

how do you determine if it is an internal bleed.

Answer 20

• The MOI can help determine if an internal bleed is involved. if direct trauma occurs then internal bleeds could be possible.
• major fractures to pelvis, femur, ribs.

Question 21

s/s of internal bleed?

Answer 21

• discolouration of the skin
• cool, moist, pale, or blue skin
• excessive thirst
• rapid, weak pulse
• tachypnea
• nausea or vomitting
• decrease LOR
• decrease BP

Question 22

how do you care for a internal bleed?

Answer 22

• minimize movement of injured person
• keep person calm
• monitor ABC and vitals
• administer O2
• maintain normal body temp
• call 911