Major Trauma

Question 1

Major trauma

Answer 1

Major trauma is any injury that has the potential to cause prolonged disability
or death. There are many causes of major trauma, blunt and penetrating,
including falls, motor vehicle collisions, and gunshot wounds.

Question 2

ALTS

Answer 2

Advanced trauma life support

Question 3

What are the principles of ALTS?

Answer 3

1. Treat the greatest threat to life first ABCDE.
2. Maintain airway and cervical spine control.
3. Breathing
4. Circulation - BP, pulse, IV access and massive blood loss.
   5.

Question 4

ABCDE

Answer 4

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach.

1. Maintain airway and cervical spine control.
2. Breathing
3. Circulation - BP, pulse, IV access and massive blood loss.
4. Disability and neurological examination GCS score.
5. Exposure

Question 5

What is the ‘AB’ problem?

Answer 5

When you are unable to breathe and there is airway obstruction leading to hypoxia.

Question 6

What does hypoxia lead to?

Answer 6

ACIDOSIS - affects cell metabolism causing a build up of H+ causing acidosis.

Question 7

What does acidosis lead to?

Answer 7

Stops muscles working
Peripheral vasoconstriction
HYPOTHERMIA

Question 8

What does hypothermia lead to?

Answer 8

COAGULOPATHY - affects platelet function affecting the clotting cascade.

Question 9

What does coagulopathy lead to?

Answer 9

Worsening acidosis, peripheral vasoconstriction, haemorrhage.

Question 10

What is meant by the terrible triad?

Answer 10

… -> Coagulopathy -> Acidosis -> Hypothermia -> …