Medical Flashcards
What is the purpose of first aid?
Save lives
Prevent further injury
Minimize infection
What is the meaning of mass casualty?
Number of casualties outweighs medical support
What is triage?
A French word meaning to sort
Where do you call when “calling it away”?
DCC - 4257
Quarterdeck - 3201/3202
Pilot house - 3222
What is the definition of shock?
Failure of heart and blood vessels to maintain enough oxygen-rich blood getting to vital organs of the body.
How do you treat for shock?
Elevate feet 6-12 inches
Keep warm
What is hemorrhaging?
Bleeding
Describe arterial bleeding
Recognized as spurting blood from the wound
Describe venous bleeding
Recognized as pooling or pouring blood from the wound
What are 4 ways to control hemorrhaging?
Direct pressure
Elevation
Pressure point
Tourniquet
What are dressings for?
To cover wounds
What are bandages for?
Hold dressings in place
What is the purpose of bandages and dressings?
Control bleeding
Protect wound
Prevent contamination
What is the definition of pressure point?
Compressing an artery against a bone
How many pressure points are there?
22 (11 on each side)
What are the pressure points?
Temporal, mandibular, carotid, subclavian, axillary, brachial, radial, iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial
What is a tourniquet?
Flat constricting band grater than 1in wide to cut off blood supply to an injured limb
When should a tourniquet be used?
Only as a last resort
Where should a tourniquet be placed?
Above and as close to the wound edge as possible
What should you do after applying a tourniquet?
Mark “T” on the victims head and the time the tourniquet was applied
3 types of heat casualties
Heat cramp
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
What causes Heat cramps?
Hot environments
Excessive sweating
Symptoms of heat cramp
Muscular pain and spasm
Faintness or dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Exhaustion and fatigue
How do you treat heat cramps?
Move casualty to a cool area
If the victim can drink, give 1/2 glass of cool water every 15 minutes
If vomiting, do not give water
Gently stretch or massage muscle to relieve spasm
What are the causes of heat exhaustion?
Excessive severe loss of water and salt
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
Temperature of 104 degrees or less Headache, nausea, loss of appetite Dizziness, weakness, or fainting Malaise Pupils dilated Pale, cool, clammy skin Rapid and shallow breathing