Pediatric Injuries Flashcards
Leading cause of death in pediatrics
Injury
Blunt or penetrating more common
Blunt
Most common cause of injuries in… - 0 to 14 yo? - 1 to 18 yo?
Falls in 0-14 MVA in 1-18
Second most common cause fatal injuries in kids 1-14:
Drowning
Second most common cause fatal injuries in kids 15-18:
Firearms
Most common traumatic injuries in pediatrics:
Head > extremities > torso > spine
Different injury responses kids have compared to adults and the anatomic / physiological reason for it:
(1) Multiple injuries are more common –> Overall smaller body size / more compact organs (2) Higher frequency of head trauma –> proportionally bigger heads. (3) Greater propensity for spinal cord injuries without radiologic abnormality (SCIWORA) –> Flatter facets joints, more elastic cervical ligaments. (4) Normal blood pressure early in shock –> high degree of compensatory vasoconstriction (5) Greater heat loss from exposed body surfaces causing them to get cold much faster –> larger body surface area/mass ratio. (6) Higher risk of intra-abdominal injury and bleeding –> abdominal organs more anterior and less subcutaneous fat
Main psychological differences between kids and adults and why this is important in an ER:
- Fear, pain, and anxiety are more widespread. - Parental separation can cause major stress. - Stranger anxiety can cause major stress. - Lack of ability to reason. *** Especially things like widespread fear, etc, can make it difficult to determine if there is an altered mental status, or the kid is just scared.
Role of “Child Life Representative”
Person who helps calm parents and distract kids during trauma scenarios.
Primary Survey =
The life support phase of pediatric trauma care: - goal is to immediately recognize and intervene on airway compromise and unrecognized hemorrhage. - A, B, C, D, E’s
ABCDE in primary survey:
A - airway patency and C-spine B - “breathing,” oxygenation, and ventilation. C - “Circulation,” signs of shock, hemorrhage control, vascular access. D - “Disability/D-stick” pupils, AVPU, GCS, glucose stick. E - “Exposure and Environmental control” Completely undress patient while preventing hypothermia.
“AVPU”
An easier GCS Score: Alert Voice Painful stimuli Unresponsive
Secondary Survey =
head-to-toe evaluation performed after the trauma and which the examiner will yell out to the rest of the team: (1) HEENT (2) Neck (3) Chest (4) Cardiac (5) Abdomen (6) MSK (7) Genitourinary (8) Back
HEENT components of 2º survey:
Scalp eye trauma hemotympanum septal hematoma facial bone fractures dental trauma.
Neck components of 2º survey:
cervical spine tenderness subcutaneous crepitus stepoffs swelling
Chest components of 2º survey:
tenderness equal chest rise
Cardiac components of 2º survey:
Heart sounds Murmurs Rubs Gallops
Abdominal components of 2º survey:
distension tenderness BS
Musculoskeletal components of 2º survey:
swelling tenderness crepitus deformities pelvic instability
Genitourinary components of 2º survey:
Urethral bleeding Rectal exam Vaginal bleeding
Back components of 2º survey:
Tenderness Crepitus Stepoffs Swelling Axillae
What to do in 1º and 2º surveys if there is a change in patient status:
Reassess
A 4 yo boy darts into the street and is struck by a car. EMS arrives to find him unresponsive, pale and tachypneic but without increased work of breathing. ** What do you do next?
Perform 1º and 2º survey
Indications for intubation:
Intubation generally rare in peds Indicated when: - unable to control airway - decompensated shock - GCS ≤ 8