Trauma Flashcards
trauma definition
Acute physiological/structural change happens in a person’s body when an external source of energy dissipates faster than the body can sustain and dissipate it
mechanical energy
energy from motion (kinetic) or energy stored in an object (potential energy)
chemical energy
found in an explosive/acid/reaction from an ingested agent or drug
electrical energy
high voltage electrocution or lightning
barometric energy
sudden changes in pressure
external factors affecting injury types
force/energy, amount of energy and mechanisms, duration/direction of force, patient position
internal factors affecting injury types
sustained when the break point of the organ is exceeded and difficult to recognize, could present with contusions, abrasions, lacerations, and punctures
velocity
distance b/w an object travels per unit of time in a specific motion
acceleration
rate of change of velocity
gravity
downward acceleration
first law of motion- newtons law
a body at rest/ motion will remain at rest/ motion unless acted upon by outside force
second law of motion- newtons law
F=MA
heavier mass needs more force to change direction/stop
high-speed collisions produce deceleration of 100 ‘s- the human limit is 30G’s
multisystem trauma
injuries that involve >2 body systems caused by events involving significant energy and affect the whole body
transport considerations for trauma systems
patients needs/ most appropriate hospital, level of receiving facility, mode of transportation, possible transportation to landing areas if not accessible at scene
types of trauma
blunt and penetrating
types of injuries
shearing, avulsing, crush, compression
injuries caused by decelerating forces
shearing/avulsing/rupture of organs, vasculature, nerves, soft tissues, head is vulnerable, chest to aorta injuries, abdominal blunt trauma, organs tear at point of attachment (liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, small intestine)
injuries caused by external forces
crush/compression injuries, skull fractures, spinal cord injuries, brain swelling, fractured ribs, flail chest, abdominal injuries, pelvic fractures
5 phases of a collision
deceleration of the vehicle, deceleration of occupant, deceleration of internal organs, secondary collisions, additional impacts
types of impact patterns
frontal/head on (down and under), later/ side impact. rear impact (body goes forward and not head, causing whiplash), rotational ( combination of head-on and lateral), rollover (multiple impacts every roll of the car (severe injury)
predicting types of injury
dependant on the look of the vehicle- indicates forces/ degree of deceleration sustained by the patient. Tire skid marks indicate whether significant energy was dissipated by breaking before the impact
down and under pathway (frontal)
upper body hits the steering wheel, causing broken ribs, flail chest, pulmonary contusion, ruptured liver/spleen
up and over pathway
chest/ abdomen hits the steering wheel, causing aortic tears, abdominal rupture, diaphragm rupture
primary mechanism- blast injuries
damage to body caused by pressure wave generated from explosion
