Soft Tissue Trauma Flashcards
Learn the different interventions and causes of soft tissue trauma
What is the largest organ of the human body?
skin
Define:
blunt injury
An injury from a direct energy transfer between an object and the patient.
What is the leading form of injury?
soft tissue trauma
What is the function of the skin?
- It protects underlying tissues.
- Temperature regulator.
- Prevents water loss.
- A sensory organ for brain.
Fill in the blank.
The three layers of the skin are the _____, _____, and _____.
epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous
What does the epidermis protect from?
- water
- dust
- microorganisms
- mechanical stress
What layer of skin are the vessels located in?
dermis
What is the purpose of collagen in the skin?
- gives strength to skin
- resistance to breakage
Fill in the blank.
_____ gives elasticity to skin.
Elastin
What are the structures that can be found within the dermis?
- nerves
- vessels
- sweat glands
- hair follicles
- sebaceous gland
Fill in the blank.
The tissue layer beneath the dermis is the ______.
subcutaneous
What are skin tension lines?
Tautness of skin that varies throughout the body.
Define:
closed wound
Soft tissues injured beneath the surface without breaking the epidermis.
E.g. contusion
Define:
open wound
Disruption of the skin.
Ex: Abrasions, lacerations, bites, impaled objects
What can result from a crush injury?
Compartment Syndrome
How does compartment syndrome affect metabolism?
Anaerobic metabolism occurs because arterial flow and oxygenated blood are cut off, creating pyruvic acid.
List the five steps in wound healing.
- Hemostasis
- Inflammation
- Epitheliazation
- Neovascularization
- Collagen synthesis
Define:
hemostasis
Bleeding stops because of the clotting cascade.
Define:
inflammation
White blood cells moves to an injured site and repairs/kills pathogens that have entered the area.
Define:
epithelialization
Epithelial cells move up to the damaged epithelial cells.
Define:
neovascularization
Formation of new blood vessels.
What are some high-risk wounds for infections?
Hint: bite
human and animal bite
What should you do with an impaled object in a patient?
Do not remove.
What are the signs/symptoms of infection on the skin?
- erythema
- pus
- warmth
- edema
- discomfort
What anaerobic, toxin-producing bacterium is responsible for gangrene?
Clostridium Perfringens
What are the signs/symptoms of tetanus?
- lock jaw
- stiff neck
Progressive stiffness throughout the body.
Define:
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Flesh-eating disease
Death of tissue from bacterial infection.
Treatment:
closed wounds
Hint: I-C-E-S
- Ice/Cold Packs
- Compression
- Elevate
- Splint
Define:
Rhabdomyolysis
Damaged muscles release myoglobin into the bloodstream.
Fill in the blank.
The tissue beneath the subcutaneous layer is called the ____ ____.
deep fascia
What bacteria is commonly responsible for Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Staphylococus Auerus
Treatment:
open wounds
- control bleeding
- keep clean
- irrigation, if contaminated
Treatment:
neck lacerations
occlusive dressing
When treating, dressing, or stabilizing a hand/wrist injury, in what position should the hand be placed?
position of function
Place a gauze roll in the hand.
Treatment:
abrasion
Cover lightly with sterile dressing.
Treatment:
laceration
- direct pressure
- dressing
- tourniquet, if severe
Treatment:
impaled objects
- Do not remove.
- Bleeding control with compression.
- Do not shorten object unless cumbersome.
- Stabilize with bulky dressing and immobilize if possible.
Treatment:
avulsion of skin
- Clean/irrigate avulsed tissue.
- Place back in anatomic position.
- Cover with dry sterile dressing.
How do you transport an amputated body part?
- rinse debris
- wrap part in loose saline-moistened gauze
- seal in bag
- place in cool container
Treatment:
Crush Syndrome
- Obtain IV access prior to removal.
- Use Normal Saline.
- Administer Sodium Bicarbonate.
- Administer Mannitol.
- Administer 25G D50 with 10 IU Insulin.
- Administer Calcium (only if dysrhythmias are present).
What is the urine output goal for a patient with crush syndrome?
300 ml/hr
