The Trauma Patient: Triage, Evaluation, Stabilization Flashcards
what does death from trauma tend to be associated with
intra-thoracic
intra-abdominal
CNS trauma
what is the primary survey and triage for
rank and manage injuries based on their threat to life
how do you survey the respiratory system
- resp pattern
- resp rate
- mucous membrane colour
how do you survey the cardiovascular system (4)
- heart rate
- pulse quality
- mucous membrane colour
- capillary refill time
how do you survey the neurological system (5)
- mentation:
alert (responsive to voice, pain or unconscious)
obtunded (mentally dull)
stuporous (semi-conscious)
comatose (unconscious)
- pupil size & PLRs
- eye position & movement
- motor responses
- blood pressure
what is done intially in trauma patients
stabilization
assessing pulse quality, IV access & fluid therapy, supplemental oxygen, ECG to assess cardiac rhythm
what are pulmonary contusions
compression-decompression injury following blunt trauma
what do pulmonary contusions cause and what does this result in
pulmonary interstitial & alveolar hemorrhage/edema which results in ventilation-perfusion mismatch & hypoxemia
why must you observe a patient with pulmonary contusions
may observe progessive deterioration over several hours
what is pneumothorax
accumulation of air within the pleural space –> creates atelectasis of lungs which then don’t participate in gaseous exchange (aren’t inflating)
what is the difference between open and closed pneumothorax
open: secondary to rib fracture
closed: secondary to ruptured alveolus/bronchus/trachea/esophagus
what is the diagnosis
pneumothorax
what is the diagnosis
tension pneumothorax
what is tension pneumothorax and why is it life threatening
site of air leakage acts as one-way valve
pleural pressure increases during each inspiration until it is greater than atmospheric pressure
hypoxemia develops due to atelectasis –> poor venous return results in CV collapse & shock
what is a diaphragmatic hernia/rupture
sudden increase in abdominal pressure with an open glottis is thought to result in a tear to the diaphragm –>
presence of herniated organs within the pleural space contributes to hypoxemia
what does a diaphragmatic hernia/rupture
reduced venous return may contribute to CV signs
what are fractured ribs often associated with
pulmonary contusions & pleural space disease
what can result in pain-associated hypoventilation
fractured ribs +/- pulmonary contusions
what is flail chest
fracture (dorsally & ventrally) of 2 or more adjacent rib segments results in paradoxical chest wall motion
how do you assess thoracic trauma (5)
- physical exam: breathing pattern, auscultation & percussion
- trans-thoracic ultrasonography (pleural/pericardial effusion)
- diagnostic (& therapeutic) thoracocentesis
- thoracic imaging: radiography or CT
- ECG
how do you diagnose pneumothorax with physical exam
dull dorsal lung sounds and hyper-resonance of the chest on percussion
“barrel-chest” as an indicator of tension pneumothorax in severely dyspneic/cyanotic patients
how do you diagnose diaphragmatic hernia with physical exam
lung sounds may be dull ventrally or you may hear borborygmi on auscultation of the thorax
how do you diagnose traumatic hemothorax/chylothorax with physical exam
dull lung sounds ventrally
what are the goals of therapy of pneumothorax (2)
- re-expansion of the collapsed lung
- improvement in venous return & cardiac output
how is a pneumothorax treated
thoracocentesis or thoracostomy tube placement
how is a thoracocentesis or thoracostomy tube placed
intermittent or continuous pleural drainage may be required
what should you consider in a rapidly deteriorating pneumothorax patient
induction
intubation
and IPPV
potential need for exploratory thoracotomy if the pneumothorax is ongoing/unresolved with intermittent drainage
how is an open pneumothorax treated
apply occlusive dressing
how are pulmonary contusions managed
supportive
oxygen supplementation: intubation & ventilation may be indicated in severe cases
avoid over-zealous fluids: damaged lung can be edematous
when do pulmonary contusions usually resolve
3-10 day period
how are diaphragmatic hernia/ruptures treated
surgical correction