Trauma Flashcards
How long can it take for an arterial bleed to form a clot?
5 or more minutes
How do u manage an internal haemorrhage
- administer high flow supplemental oxygen
- assist ventilation if needed
- sling broken bones or joint injuries
- place blankets under and over the patient
- consider giving analgesia if required
- monitor the serial vital signs
What are types of soft tissue injury?
- burns
- blunt injury
What is RICE mnemonic
Rest the limb for 48hrs
Ice
Compression
Elevate the injury to a level above the heart
What is rhabdomyolysis?
Death of muscle tissue
(more accurately rhabdo is when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood. These substances can damage vital organs)
What is crush syndrome?
- an area of the body is trapped for longer than 4hrs
- arterial blood flow is compromised
- muscles are crushed beyond repair
- tissue necrosis
- influx of water/sodium chloride/calcium
- freeing the limb “smiling death”
- renal failure
- life threatening arrhythmias
What is compartment syndrome?
a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.
How do you recognise compartment syndrome?
6 P’s
- Pain
- paraesthesia (pins and needles)
- Pressure
- passive stretch pain
- pulselessness
- Paresis (lose it movement)
(Delayed or non specific if lasts more than 8 hours)
How do you treat an open chest wound?
- sterile occlusive dressing
- taped on 3 sides
- is patient respiration deteriorates the occlusive dressing should be removed temporarily to allow the patient to breathe
How do you manage impaled objects?
- do not remove the object
- control haemorrhage
What is oedema?
a build-up of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen
