Integumentary Illness and Injuries Mar 6 Flashcards
What are the objectives related to integumentary illnesses and injuries?
Identify/Understand/Treat different soft tissue injuries and differences in integumentary illnesses in pediatrics, adults, geriatrics.
What are some examples of soft tissue injuries?
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Hematomas
- Avulsions
- Amputations
- Impaled objects
- Eviscerations
- Allergic manifestations
- Urticaria
- Infectious infestations
Define an abrasion.
A superficial injury to the skin or other body tissue caused by rubbing or scraping.
What are common causes of abrasions?
- MVC
- Falls
- Assaults
What are the signs and symptoms of abrasions?
- Pain
- Minor bleeding
- Oozing
- Reddened
- Decreased function
What is the treatment for abrasions?
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean wound
- Apply a non-adherent dressing
- Control any bleeding
- Apply ice if swelling occurs
- Transport in POC (if possible)
- Ensure CMS pre/post
What is a laceration?
A tearing of the skin or other soft tissues.
What are the signs and symptoms of lacerations?
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Possible distal neurovascular compromise
- Depending on severity: Decreased LOC, S/S of shock
What is the treatment for lacerations?
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean wound
- Control bleeding
- Apply bulky dressing
- Elevate
- Transport
What is an avulsion?
A tearing away of the skin’s surface.
What are the two types of avulsions?
- Complete
- Incomplete
What are the signs and symptoms of avulsions?
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Possible distal neurovascular deficits
- Depending on severity: Shock, Decreased LOC
What is the treatment for avulsions?
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean wound
- If possible replace flap
- Control bleeding
- Apply a sterile dressing
- Elevate
- Transport
Define amputation.
The cutting away from the body of a limb or protruding structure.
What are the signs and symptoms of amputation?
- Two parts that should be one
- Pain
- Shock
- Decreased LOC
- Severe or no blood loss
What is the treatment for amputation?
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean wound
- If a partial amputation return to original anatomical position
- If a complete amputation, ensure you bring the part to the hospital
- Control bleeding
- Apply bulky dressing
- Raise part
- Treat underlying injuries
- Transport
When should an impaled object be removed?
If it obstructs CPR or the airway.
What is evisceration?
The presence of abdominal contents, usually intestines, protruding through the abdominal wall.
What are the signs and symptoms of evisceration?
- The ‘insides’ are on the outside
- Shock
What is the treatment for evisceration?
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean wound
- DO NOT replace contents
- Cover with saline soaked dressing
- Ensure wound is air tight
- Transport with knees flexed
Define hematoma.
A localized collection of blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space, or tissue, due to a break in the wall of a blood vessel.
What are the signs and symptoms of hematomas?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Limited ROM (depending on location)
What is the treatment for hematomas?
Usually none for minor hematomas; treatment depends on the location of the hematoma.
What are allergic manifestations?
Dependent on the severity of the allergic reaction, manifesting similar skin reactions.
What is urticaria?
Characterized by pale or reddened irregular, elevated patches and severe itching (pruritus), hives.
What are the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions?
- Rash
- Redness
- Severe itching
- Possible signs of anaphylaxis
- History of a known allergy
What is the treatment for allergic manifestations?
- ABC’s
- Treat for anaphylaxis (if necessary)
- Transport
Define infection infestations.
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues causing local cellular injury.
What are the signs and symptoms of infection infestations?
- Pain
- Redness
- Purulent discharge
- Heat
- Swelling
- Febrile
What is the treatment for infection infestations?
- History
- ABC’s
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Clean and dress any open wounds
- Transport
What are some types of bandages and dressings?
- Triangular
- Sterile and non-sterile 4x4’s
- Non-adherent
- Abdominal dressings
- Occlusive dressings
- Roller gauze
What is essential to control bleeding?
- Direct pressure
- Position
- Tourniquet
- Moist sterile dressing on injuries involving the meatus
- Never remove bled through dressing
- Keep pressure on and apply more dressing
What are some considerations for soft tissue trauma in pediatrics?
- Blood scares kids almost as much as it scares their parents
- Blood loss doesn’t have to be great to cause hypovolemia
- Infections can spread faster
- Poor temp control
What are some considerations for soft tissue trauma in geriatrics?
- Bleed easily
- Blood thinners, anti-coags, etc
- Tissue not as elastic so damages easier
- Poor temperature control
- Little force needed to cause major damage
What should be monitored during assessments for soft tissue injuries?
- Continual reassess injury above and below
- Neuro above and below
- Pulses above and below, before and after packaging
- Tetanus boosters, Hepatitis, HIV status
