MSK and Trauma Flashcards
What is included in the primary survey?
Airway with c-spine protection
Breathing with adequate oxygenation
Circulation with hemorrhage control
Disability - What injuries are we observing that are obvious to the naked eye
Exposure/Environment - Fully undress the patient
First step in shock therapy for hypovolemic shock
IV Crystalloids
What are the components of the Secondary Survey?
History
Physical exam: Head to toe
Complete neurologic exam
Special diagnostic tests
Re-evaluation
When do you start the secondary survey?
After:
The primary survey is complete
ABCDE’s are reassessed
Vital functions are returning to normal
Symptoms and exam findings of hypovolemic shock
AMS, anxiety
Cold, diaphoretic skin
Tachycardia
Tachypnea, shallow respirations
Hypotension
Decreased urinary output
Treatment of hypovolemic shock
Fluid resucitation
–LR rather than NS because of Na
–Don’t worry about the volume. If they end up in heart failure, that’s fine. You can fix that with medicines.
–Monitor response
–Prevent hypothermia - pRBC are refrigerated
pRBC:FFP - 1:1 ratio
If infusing a lot of blood products, watch the K and Ca - can result in hyperK and hypo Ca
What is a battle sign indicative of?
Basilar skull fracture
Likely need surgery and ppx antibx
What is the Monro-Kellie Doctrine
There is only so much room in the skull so if something presses on the brain, CSF or venous volume will decrease
If there is no venous return from the brain, the brain will become hypoxic
Cause of epidural hematoma
Often associated with skull fracture
Middle meningeal artery tear
Clinical presentation of epidural hematoma
Initial LOC, followed by lucid interval, followed by vomiting and rapid decompensation to LOC
Can be rapidly fatal - needs evacuation and bone flap
Causes of subdural hematoma
Venous tear/brain laceration
When do you interfere with subdural hematoma
If >5mm of midline shift, recommend rapid surgical evacuation
Below what GCS should intubation be considered?
GCS of 8 and below should likely be intubated because the LOC could get worse
Why is Mannitol used in brain injury?
Creates an osmotic gradient that stalls cerebral swelling
What is the best type of imaging for facial fracture?
Non contrast CT Face
What is a LeFort Fracture?
The LeFort fracture is the most concerning of the maxillofacial fractures
Involves the maxilla and/or skull base
“Dish face”
Management of trauma to the neck
Unless the impaled object is acting like a lever or definitely obstructing the airway, DO NOT REMOVE IT!
If there is bleeding, compression one side of the neck - low threshold to intubate
If the injury is strangulation/hanging:
–Apply a hard collar
–Assess for hoarseness (suggests injury to the larynx/hyoid bone)
–Assess for crepitus - trachea is no longer intact
–Obtain CT c-spine and CTA head and neck
What is Horner’s Syndrome
Damage to the sympathetic trunk (nerve fibers running from the base of the skull to the coccyx).
Caused by carotid dissection or direct injury to the bundle of nerve fibers
Symptoms occur on the same side as the lesion of the sympathetic trunk:
-Miosis - constriction of the pupil
-Ptosis
-Anhydrosis - decrease in sweating
What is L’hermittes Sign?
Elicited with the neck flexed and causes an electrical sensation that runs down the back and into the limbs. Generally uncomfortable.
Indicates possible MS and compression of the spinal cord in the neck from cervical spondylosis, disc herniation, tumor and Arnold-Chiari malformation