Lecture 10: Trauma + IPV/abuse Flashcards
What is the 4 step approach to a trauma patient?
- Primary survey
- Resuscitation
- Secondary survey
- Definitive care
What falls under the primary survey?
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability (neuro status)
- Exposure/environment
If a patient can respond to you appropriately, what can we assume is intact?
- Airway
- Breathing
- Neuro status
When should we assume C-spine is needed?
- Blunt trauma
- ALOC
What is the predominant cause of death post injury?
Hemorrhage
What does a pale/ashen gray extremity suggest?
Hypovolemia
What does a rapid thready pulse suggest in trauma?
Hypovolemia
How do we manage an external hemorrhage?
- Direct manual pressure
- Tourniquet with caution
How do we manage an internal hemorrhage?
Splint application or consult surgery
Chest, abdomen, retroperitoneum, pelvis, long bones
How long can a tourniquet be on before theres a risk of limb loss?
3 hours
Write down the time it was applied.
What do you want to rule out for neuro disability quickly?
- Alcohol
- Hypoglycemia
- Narcotics
When is the general rule of thumb for intubation for an unconscious patient with no gag reflex?
Less than 8, intubate
What are the 4 areas checked in a FAST exam?
- Cardiac-subxiphoid
- RUQ-hepatorenal
- LUQ-splenorenal
- Suprapubic views
Focused assessment with sonography in trauma
What must be done prior to secondary survey? (2)
- Definitive treatment
- Normalized vitals
Where does an epidural hematoma tend to occur and what artery is usually disrupted?
- Temporal/temporoparietal area
- MMA (middle meningeal artery)
What is the classic hx with an epidural hematoma?
- Hx of blunt head trauma with LOC or ALOC
- Lucid period, then another ALOC
- Associated skull fx
What is the highest risk epidural hematoma hx?
Traumatic blow over the lateral aspect of the head
Baseball or pool stick injury
How does an epidural hematoma tend to appear on CT?
- Biconvex, football shaped (lens shaped)
- Temporally (usually)
What is the initial tx for an epidural hematoma?
- Maintain SBP > 100 for 50-69
- Maintain SBP > 110 for 15-49 or 70+
Maintaining CPP and oxygenation is prioritiy.
What is the general mechanism for a subdural hematoma?
Acceleration-decelation of brain parenchyma
What veins are typically injured in subdural hematomas?
Bridging dural veins
What are the two biggest RFs for subdural hematomas?
- Elderly
- Chronic alcoholics
Brain atrophy
Also children < 2
When is a subdural hematoma considered chronic?
Within 14d of injury
After 2 weeks, its chronic.
How does a subdural hematoma appear on CT?
Hyperdense (white), crescent shaped lesions crossing suture lines
What physical signs can suggest C-spine trauma? (4)
- Seat belt marks
- C-spine tenderness
- Subcutaneous emphysema
- Tracheal deviation
What are the 3 zones of soft tissue injury for your neck?
- Zone 1 = clavicles to cricoid = further eval
- Zone 2 = cricoid to angle of the mandible = surgery
- Zone 3 = angle of the mandible to base of skull = further eval
What kind of trauma increases risk for needing a surgical cricothyrotomy? why?
Neck trauma
due to disruption of laryngotracheal anatomy
What is the proximate cause of death in most penetrating neck injuries?
Exsanguination
What are the two general causes of penetrating neck injuries?
- GSWs
- Stab wounds
Hard & Soft Signs