TEST 4 Flashcards
What is central cord syndrome?
Incomplete Lesion (injury)-
Motor problems (fine motor)
Upper extremities more affected
Spastic paralysis of upper extremities
Lower extremities less affected
Bowel & Bladder dysfunction variable
cause of central cord syndrome?
Trauma
Traumatic lesions tend to improve in 1-2 weeks
Tumors
Infections
Surgical decompression may be indicated if r/t spinal stenosis
what is anterior cord syndrome?
Incomplete Lesion (injury)
Loss below the level of lesion:
Pain
Temperature
Motor function below level of lesion
Retain below level of lesion: (gross sensation)
Light touch
Position
Vibration sensation
cause of anterior cord syndrome?
Trauma (anterior cord compression)
Association fracture-dislocation of vertebrae
Acute disk herniation
Hyperflexion
Artery infarct
what is brown-sequard syndrome?
Incomplete cord lesion (Injury)
Lateral cord syndrome
Ipsilateral paralysis/ Ipsilateral paresis
Loss or weakness with movement
Contralateral loss of pain and temperature
cause of brown-sequard syndrome?
Infection
Inflammation
-MS
-TB
Tumor
Trauma
-Penetrating
-Fracture or dislocation
-Acute disc rupture
what is cauda equina syndrome?
Progressive compression of nerve roots at base of spinal cord
-Lumbar pain
-Weakness or paralysis of lower extremities
-Saddle anesthesia
-Bowel & bladder incontinence
causes of cauda equina syndrome?
Usually from herniated disc
what is Sciwora?
Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality
Condition affecting pediatric patients 8 and younger
Objective signs of spinal cord injury from trauma without bony abnormalities or changes on X-ray or CT
Incidence 20-32%
Younger patients may have more severe neuro symptoms
Symptoms may be delayed
Risk related to large blood supply to cord & elasticity of vertebral column
Injuries are usually considered “stable”
Immobilization for 3 months standard treatment
MRI (gold standard)
-Demonstrate: Ligamental injury, disk injury, cord lesions, or hemorrhage
T4 is located where?
nipple line
T10 is located where?
base of ribs, roughly point of umbilicus
C6, 7, & 8 are located where?
hands and fingers
T1 is located where?
terminate triceps (shrug shoulders)
L5-S1 is located where?
feet (felx/extend)
A in ASIA scale?
A = Complete. No sensory or motor function is preserved in the sacral segments S4-S5.
B in ASIA scale?
B = Sensory Incomplete. Sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4-S5 (light touch, pin prick at S4-S5: or deep anal pressure (DAP), AND no motor function is preserved more than three levels below the motor level on either side of the body.
C in ASIA Scale?
C = Motor Incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of key muscle functions below neurological level of injury (NLI) have a muscle grade less than 3
D in ASIA scale?
D = Motor Incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and at least half of key muscle functions below the NLI have a muscle grade of 3 or > 3.
E in ASIA scale?
normal
emergency management of SCI
Immobilization!
-Cervical collar
Resuscitation as needed
Move as a unit- avoid additional or worsening injury
Testing
-X-Ray- bony abnormalities
-CT- 3 dimensional view of bone
-MRI- ligament and tissue
Interventions/ Actions
-Initial and continuous assessment
-Frequent vital signs
-Avoid hyperoxia
-Maintain MAP >85mmHg
Pharmacologic treatments
respiratory clinical manifestations of SCI
C1 – C3: Absence of ability to breathe independently.
C4: poor cough, diaphragmatic breathing, hypoventilation
C5 – T6: decreased respiratory reserve
T6 or T7 – L4: functional respiratory system with adequate reserve
ASSESSMENT q2H AT LEAST
Ascending edema of the spinal cord in the acute phase -Can cause respiratory difficulties requiring immediate intervention
non-physical restraints
talk down, listen, minimizing stimulation
what is STAMP?
Staring
Tone (or volume of voice)
Anxiety
Mumbling
Pacing
used for IDing potentially violent pts
Restraints
reminder to look at restraint doc on canvas
what is EMTALA?
emergency medical and active labor act-
duty to treat regardless of inability to pay or insurance coverage
EMTALA treatment guidelines
EDs must provide medical screening exam and look for emergency medical conditions, then stabilize if EMC present AND care for pregnant patients with contractions if emergency exists or inadequate time for safe transfer before delivery
EMTALA reasons for transfer?
specialized care not available at facility
continuity of care
lack of resources
patient request
triage: emergent
life threatening, seen immediately, assess q15min
triage: urgent
serious health problem, seen within 1hr, assess q30min
triage: non-urgent
episodic illness, seen within 24hrs, assess q1-2h
what is ABCDEFGHI assessment?
Primary Assessment
A- Airway/ C-spine precautions
B- Breathing
C- Circulation- obvious hemorrhage
D- Deficit- LOC, AVPU, GCS
Secondary Assessment
E- Environmental/ Expose
F- Full set of vital signs/ Family
G- Give comfort
H- History/ Head to toe
I- Inspect Posterior/ Interventions
what is blunt trauma?
Physical trauma (closed) body as a result of:
Impact
Injury
Physical Attack
biomechanical forces that cause blunt trauma?
compression, stretch, sheer
what is compression force?
Impact stops part of the body
Inertia keeps remaining anatomy in motion
what is stretch force?
Protein fibers pulled, injured or torn
what is sheer force?
Structures under opposing forces are damaged
types of blunt trauma?
MVC, falls, assault
what are fragile solid organs that damage easily in blunt trauma?
brain, spleen
turner sign is where
flank
cullen sign is where
umbilical
what do turner and cullen signs indicate
retroperitoneal hemorrhage
what are hollow organs
Heart
Stomach
Lungs
Bowel
Bladder
Tolerate trauma well
If full of air or fluid may rupture
what are solid organs
Kidneys
Liver
Pancreas
Held together with strong tissue
Fracture with injury
presentation for blunt trauma to abdomen
Pain
Tenderness
Hemorrhage (no obvious source)
Hypovolemia
turner sign
cullen sign
presentation of chest blunt trauma
Pain
Tenderness
Shortness of breath
what do you palpate on chest assessment for blunt trauma
sternum, ribs
where do you immobilize for a fracture
above and below the joint
what do you have to think about every time you splint, wrap, cast, or immobilize
compartment syndrome
what are considered major fractures
pelvis, femur
what are the types of penetrating trauma?
hgih velocity
low velocity
high velocity trauma types
GSW, blast injuries
low velocity trauma types
stabbing, impalement
penetrating trauma assessment
MOI very important
Never remove an object
-Diagnostic imaging to determine extent of injury
-Removed in OR
-Cheek- exception
–Direct pressure can be applied to both sides of injury
Extent of injury depend on
-Velocity
-Number of projectiles
what is crushing trauma?
Body Part caught between 2 objects
-Industrial between machine parts
-Runover by a car between tire and road
crushing trauma can cause what complications
Intracellular fluid is released when cells are crushed (think electrolytes)
Myoglobin release due to muscle damage
-Rhabdomyolysis
-Myoglobin causes renal failure
-Clog kidneys
Compartment swelling leads to increased muscle damage
-Compartment syndrome
-Fasciotomy treatment
6 P’s of compartment syndrome
Pain:
-Earliest
-Progressive
-Disproportionate to injury
Pressure
Pallor (decreased O2)
Paresthesia
Paresis- muscle weakness related to nerve damage
Pulseless
-Late and ominous sign
causes of compartment syndrome
Bleeding
Edema
Constricting cast
Constricting dressing
Splinting
Prolonged positioning
Burns
Infections
how is compartment syndrome diagnosed?
Presenting symptoms
MOI
Pressure measurement
treatment for compartment syndrome?
Identify increased pressure
Release pressure with a fasciotomy
treatment priorities for compartment syndrome
Maintain hemodynamic status
-1 Liter crystalloid fluid
-Additional needs- give blood
Keep patient warm
Stop any active bleeding
-Direct pressure
-Tourniquet
Permissive hypotension resuscitation
Stabilize fractures
-Splinting
Disposition
-Admit
-OR
-Transfer
-Discharge
what is the trauma triad of death?
hypothermia, coagulopathy, acidosis (and hypocalcemia to make diamond of death)
what to do for acidosis in triad of death?
NS or LR
what to do for coagulopathy in triad of death
blood products- 1 U PRC to 1 U plasma to 1 U platelets
triad of death treatment
Stop the bleeding
Assume your patient’s temp is dropping
Limit patient exposure to environment
Turn up the heat!
Measure lactate levels
Measure end-tidal CO2
Treat hypoventilation
Track & treat coagulation labs
frost nip is ___ and ____.
mild and reversible
affected locations of frost nip
Earlobes
Cheeks
Nose
Fingers
Toes
frost nip presentation
Reddened or blanched skin
Cool/cold to the touch
frost nip tx
rewarming
frost bite causes …
Severe tissue & cell damage
Intracellular water turns to ice
Cold cause decreased blood flow
frost bite presentation
Damage depends on depth of freezing
Swelling
Blistering
Pain
Gangrene
Muscle necrosis
frost bite tx
External and internal warming
Tepid water emersion
Warm blankets
Warm O2
DO NOT what with frost bite
massage areas- causes more damage
who is at risk for frost bite
old, young, homeless, beta blockers, alcoholics, malnourished, diabetics, smokers, PVD
hypothermia causes
Core temp is 95◦ or less
Result of exposure to cold
Inability to maintain temperature in absence of low ambient temps.
what happens when temp <90
-Shivering suppressed
-B/P & P non-palpable
-Vfib
*Defib is ineffective on a cold heart
*Internal and external warming initial treatment
causes of heat exhaustion
Excessive heat exposure & dehydration
Very hot environment
Heavy activity
Not enough fluid and salt intake
presentation of heat exhaustion
Muscle cramps
Shoulders
Abdomen
Lower extremities
Profound diaphoresis
Thirst
Syncope
Headache
Dizziness
Pale moist skin
Nausea & Vomiting
Temperature 101-102 degrees
Tachycardia
tx for heat exhaustion
Move to cool, shady area
PO fluids
Electrolyte containing
IV fluids if necessary
Encourage rest
causes of heat stroke
Non-exertional prolonged exposure to high temperatures
Exertional heat stroke: strenuous activity in high temperatures
heat stroke presentation
May not have sweat
Weakness
Hot dry skin
Tachypnea
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Temperature 105 or higher
CNS dysfunction:
-Delirious
-Unconscious
-Seizures
-Coma
heat stroke tx
Removing clothing
Moving to a cool, shady area; shelters
Active cooling
IV fluids
Medication
-Seizures
-Uncontrollable shivering
Frequent vital signs
Labs
meds that alter physiologic response to heat
Phenothiazines
Anticholinergics
Antihistamines
Beta-blockers
Benzodiazepines
Amphetamines
Neuroleptics
Tricyclic antidepressants
Cocaine
Alcohol
risk factors for near drowning
Alcohol
Inability to swim
Diving injuries
Hypothermia
Exhaustion
No life jacket
what is mammalian dive reflex
Reflex occurs when mammals are submerged in water <70 degrees
Protective mechanism to maintain cardiac and cerebral blood flow
When face submerged:
-Laryngeal spasm starts
-Heart rate slows
-Vasoconstriction
near drowning complications
Respiratory
-ARDS
-Hypoxia
-Hypercarbia
-Loss of surfactant (fresh water)
-Pulmonary edema (salt water)
Acidosis
-Respiratory
-Metabolic
Hypothermia
drowning morbidity and mortality primarily due to what
anoxic brain injury caused by airway obstruction from laryngospasm or aspirated water
chemical ingestion poisoning can be __ or ___.
alkaline or acidic
chemical ingestion tx
Identification of substance
Removing toxin
-Gastric lavage
Decrease absorption
-Activated Charcoal
-Dilution
symptoms of ingestion poisoning
Early symptoms of may include an intoxicated feeling.
Headache
Fatigue,
Lack of coordination
Grogginess
Slurred speech
Nausea
Vomiting
Continued breakdown causes damage to:
-Kidney
-Lung
-Brain
-Nervous system function.
-Organ damage can occur 24 to 72 hours after
ingestion.
button battery ingestion complications
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Esophageal perforation
Vocal cord paralysis
Mediastinitis
Pneumothorax
Pneumoperitoneum
Tracheal Stenosis
Tracheomalacia
Aspiration pneumonia
Empyema
Lung abscess
button battery ingestion tx
Endoscopic or surgical removal if lodged
Allow to pass
Honey may help neutralize pH
carbon monoxide poisoning
CNS symptoms
Skin color
-Cyanotic
-Pale to pink
-Unreliable sign
carbon monoxide poisoning tx
Fresh air
100% O2
Hyperbaric chamber
C1, 2, 3, 4, _________; C5 _______
breathe no more; stay alive
primary spinal cord injury
Initial insult
Irreversible
Microscopic hemorrhage in gray matter
Edema to white matter