Trauma Flashcards
T/F: An airway has to be secured before dealing with a potential cervical spine injury.
True (keep head secured and not moved; can use nasotracheal intubation over a fiberoptic bronchoscope)
Subcutaneous emphysema in the neck is a sign of _________, and mandates use of a ________________ when securing an airway.
“major traumatic disruption of the tracheobronchial tree;” mandates use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope
Shock is blood pressure under __ mm Hg systolic
90
Shock is urinary output under _______
0.5 mL/kg/hr
How do you distinguish between shock caused by bleeding, by pericardial tamponade, or by tension PTX?
CVP!
high = pericardial tamponade/PTX
low = hemorrhag
Respiratory distress!
great = PTX
none = pericardial tamponade
In fluid resuscitation, you must use “large bore” peripheral IV needles. This is ____ gauge.
14-16
In adults, if PIVs can’t be secured, femoral vein catheters or saphenous vein cut-downs are alternatives. In children under 6, __________ is the alternate route.
intraosseous cannulation of the proximal tibia
What is Beck’s triad?
Pericardial tamponade =
1) low arterial BP
2) distended neck veins
3) muffled heart sounds
What is a comminuted fracture?
A fracture in which the bone has broken into several pieces.
Which head fractures are treated in the OR?
comminuted or depressed head fractures (note: open fractures require wound closure, but linear skull fractures are left alone if closed)
What is the next step in patients with raccoon eyes, rhinorrhea and otorrhea, or ecchymosis behind the ear?
Expectant management with CT scan to assess integrity of cervical spine
What type of intubation should be avoided in patients with Battle’s sign?
nasotracheal intubation
Battle’s sign = mastoid ecchymosis, evidence of fracture along the middle cranial fossa and extravasion of blood along posterior auricular artery.
Acute epidural hematoma results in a fixed dilated pupil that is on the (same/opposite) side of the trauma 90% of the time.
SAME side
What is decerebrate and which is decorticate posturing? Which is worse?
Decerebrate = extension of the arms, toes pointed down
Decorticate = arms protecting core (flexed across chest), toes pointed down
DeCERebrate is more SERious
A semilunar crescent shaped hematoma on CT is indicative of
subdural hematoma
A biconvex, lens shaped hematoma on CT is indicative of
epidural hematoma
To lower ICP in signs of herniation, hyperventilation is recommended to a goal of PCO2 of
35
T/F: Hypovolemic shock cannot happen from intracranial bleeding
True! There isn’t enough space!
When does penetrating trauma to the neck lead to surgical exploration?
1) expanding hematoma
2) deteriorating vital signs
3) clear signs of esophageal or tracheal injury
What are the 3 zones of the neck, and what is the treatment of trauma to them?
zone 1: thoracic inlet to cricothyroid membrane. Gunshot wounds –> arteriography, esophogram, esophagoscopy, bronchoscopy
zone 2: cricothyroid membrane to mandible. Stab wounds in asx patients can be observed
zone 3: madible and up. Arteriographic diagnosis of gunshot wounds; asx stab wounds can be observed
T/F: You have to do a CT of the C-spine of someone who is neurologically intact but has pain to local palpation over the C spine.
True
Findings often seen due to clean-cut injury (knife blade) to spinal cord:
Brown-Sequard: paralysis and loss of priproception to distal to injury distal ipsilaterally; contralateral loss of pain perception distal to injury
Findings seen due to burst fractures of vertebral bodies:
anterior cord syndrome: loss of motor function and loss of pain and temperature sensation on both sides distal to injury with preservation of vibratory and positional sense
Findings seen due to forced hyperextension of the neck (rear-end collision in elderly):
central cord syndrome: paralysis and burning pain in upper extremities, with preservation of most functions in lower extremities
Treatment of rib fracture:
local nerve block and epidural catheter (don’t want hypoventilation –> atelectasis –> PNA)
What is the difference in where a chest tube is placed in PTX vs hemothorax?
PTX = upper, anterior hemothorax = lower, to avoid development of empyema
T/F: Hemothorax does not usually require surgical intervention to stop the bleeding, because it’s a low pressure system.
True.
However, if >1500 mL or more blood is collected initially, or over 600 mL over the ensuing 6h, then thoracotomy is indicated (systemic vessel like intercostal artery usually the source of bleeding in these cases)
Work up of severe blunt trauma to chest:
1) blood gases, CXR (white out) for pulmonary contusion
2) cardiac enzymes and EKG (arrythmias) for myocardial contusion
T/F: Contused lung is very sensitive to fluid overload.
True. Treatment includes fluid restriction and use of diuretics.
How are sucking chest wounds (flap that sucks air with inspiration and closes during expiration) treated?
occlusive dressing that allows airs out but not in