Hemorrhaging & Soft Tissue Injuries Flashcards
T/F: Blood loss can be internal or external
True
How can you tell the difference between Arterial, venous and capillary bleeding?
Arterial bleeds spurt bright red blood, with high pressure, profuse and rapid blood loss ensuing.
Venous blood is a steady flow, due to reduced pressure, and a much darker colour. Can be life threatening if enough vessels are ruptured.
Capillary bleeding is a slow ooze, normal red in colour.
What are the normal amounts of blood (L) in humans and what is the max they can loose?
Adult: 6.6L / lethal loss 2.2L
Adolescent: 3.3L / lethal loss 1.3L
Child: 1.5-2L / lethal loss 0.5-0.7L
Infant: 300+ml / lethal loss 30-50ml
What are the 4 phases of wound healing?
- Exudative
- Resorptive
- Proliferative
- Repair
Open wounds are dangerous to leave exposed, not just for bleeding, but for what other major consideration?
Infections. An open wound is a direct gateway into the body and disease can easily penetrate in.
Minor wounds must be cleansed and disinfected prior to bandage application. Major wounds must have bleeding under control first.
What are some signs of local infection?
Swelling and redness
Warm to touch
Throbbing pain
Pus discharge
Why can infections become life threatening so quickly?
If an infection makes it way into the circulatory system, it will be spread around the entire body, becoming systemic, and needs antibiotic treatment. Red streaks, swollen lymph nodes and flu like symptoms are common signs.
What is Tetanus and why must it be treated quickly?
Colostridium Tetani is a bacteria that multiplies in environments with low O2. Often introduced via puncture wounds. Must be treated expeditiously before it can attack the nervous system.
What are the S/S’s of Tetanus?
- Difficulty swallowing
- Irritability
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle spasms near injected area
What is Gangrene?
Bacterial infection that thrives in absence of O2 or loss of blood supply.
Sudden onset of pain and swelling
Tissue discolouration
Foul smelling watery discharge (may be infectious)
Low grade fever
Shock
When caring for an external bleed what is one of the highest priorities for bandage application?
Direct pressure. This causes the blood vessels to compress, restricting blood flow and allowing the wound to clot as soon as possible.
What are some rules and considerations for bandage application?
- Avoid covering fingers or toes unless they are injured
- Applying bandages the same way as tape: distal to proximal so as not to constrict blood flow
- Keep bandages broad so as not to dig into tissue and constrict
- 2 layers minimum must be applied. If bleeding persists after 4 layers, apply a tourniquet
- Check “P” and “S” but not M during PMS checks so as not to pump blood to wound
What are the 9 situations that would most likely require stitches?
- Actively hemorrhaging
- Jagged edges
- 2.5cm in length or longer
- On face or head (stitches help reduce scarring)
- Gapes widely or shows muscle/bone
- On a joint, hands or feet (functional impairment)
- Large or deep puncture
- Large or deep embedded object
- Human or animal bite
Why is a tourniquet a last resort?
It completely ceases blood flow to extremity and can cause complications if applied improperly or left on too long.
When CAN you use a tourniquet?
- Unable to use standard hemorrhaging interventions
- Mass casualties and there are not enough responders to patients
- Unsafe environment warrants a quick patient removal
- Hemorrhaging from a wound that cannot be assessed
How do you apply a tourniquet?
- Apply 5-10cm above injury or closest joint
- Tightened until bleeding stops
- Document time it was applied and tightened