Trauma Flashcards
commotio cordis
agitation of the heart / often lethal disruption of the heart rhythm that occurs as a result of a blow to the area directly over the heart (precodial region), at a critical time during the cycle of a heart beat causing cardiac arrest
dystonia
prolonged involuntary muscular contractions that may cause twisting (torsion) of body parts, repetitive movements, and increased muscular tone
Babinski sign
dorsiflexion (to bend dorsally or toward the upper surface) of the great toe when the sole of the foot is stimulated / if the toe extends instead of flexes and the outer toes spread out, Babinski reflex is present / normally when the lateral aspect of the sole of the relaxed foot is stroked, the great toe flexes
LeFort fracture of skull
fracture involving more than one of the facial bones (maxillary, nasal, orbital, and/or zygomatic)
LeFort I fractures
blunt force injury directed below the maxillary alveolar rim in a downward direction
LeFort II fracture
blunt force injury to the lower or mid-maxilla and usually involve the inferior orbital rim
LeFort III fracture
blunt force injury to the nasal bridge or upper maxilla, involving the zygomatic arch
What is the most common cause of cardiopulmonary arrest in the trauma patient?
Hypoxemia
Acceptable locations for chest needle decompression are…
Directly over the top of the 3rd rib, mid-clavicular line /
What may affect the pulse oximetry reading?
Cyanide poisoning / High ambient light / Carbon monoxide poisoning
What is the FIRST priority in management of a trauma patient?
Control major external bleeding
In the absence of herniation syndrome, adult head injured patient should be ventilated at a rate of…
8 to 10 per minute
What assessment tools may assist in predicting patient deterioration for someone who otherwise appears stable?
Serum lactate levels and abdominal ultrasound.
Tourniquet application should be limited to less than…
2 hours
Pulsus paradoxus
The radial pulse disappears upon inspiration.
