Trauma, Burns and Sepsis Flashcards
what do you do in a patient with decreased breath sounds on one side but otherwise stable?
order CXR and pulse oximetry
tx. of spontaneous PTX in trauma pt
insertion of large diameter chest tube
- insert finger into pleural space prior to inserting the tube to make sure its in the right place
where do you direct a chest tube?
toward the posterior, apical aspect of the pleural space
what is the correct location to insert a chest tube?
bw 4th and 5th intercostal spaces in the midaxillary line
what should happen after insertion of a chest tube correctly?
the lung should re-expand
after insertion of a chest tube, a large amt of air continues to leak into the chest tube over next few hours and lung is still only partially inflated
injury to major bronchus or trachea
- requires partial lung resection to repair
when is observation of a small PTX appropriate?
- not enlarging
- no free fluid in pleural space (i.e. no hemothorax)
- pt is asymptomatic
- pt has not other injuries requiring surgery
if pt has small PTX and requires surgery why must a chest tube be inserted?
assisted ventilation puts positive pressure in lungs which increases the risk of converting a small PTX to a larger one
what signs/symptoms point to tension PTX?
decreased breath sounds on one side
hypotension
JVD
tx. of tension PTX
immediate needle aspiration followed by insertion of chest tube
- get CXR after, not BEFORE
what else can cause hypotension and JVD in a trauma patient?
pericardial tamponade
- do emergent ultrasound and pericardiocentesis and then send patient to OR
initial management of patient with hypotension?
two large bore IV lines with rapid infusion of 1-2 L of NS
can a closed head injury be the cause of severe hypotension?
no.. there is not enough space for the head to hold that much blood and due to the Cushing reflex
when putting in a urinary catheter, you notice blood at the urethral meatus..
do not insert the catheter
- instead assess for possible causes of urethral injury (DRE for prostate); definitive diagnosis with retrograde cystourethrogram
how do you properly assess cervical spine?
- stabilize neck with collar/board
- palpate alone posterior aspect for tenderness or any deformity
- ask patient to move his fingers and toes and to tell you if they can feel you touch them
- order CT scan to R/O injury
what do you do if after insertion of a chest tube, there is 1500 ml of blood evacuated?
thoracotomy - to evaluate for lung hilar injury or injury to the heart
- also do this is rate of blood loss is > 200ml/hr for 3 hrs
what are you worried about with a stab wound just below the clavicle? how should you evaluate?
subclavian artery or venous injury
- if pt is stable do an angiogram
- if pt is unstable, urgent exploration
what are you worried about if there is a penetrating injury below the nipple?
diaphragmatic injury
- need abdominal exploration
pt who was in an MVA has a widened mediastinum on AP CXR - what do you suspect and what test should you order next if pt is stable?
suspect thoracic aortic transection
- order normal PA CXR
what is the next step once you find a widened mediastinum on CXR?
order aortic angiography (gold standard) or CT scan
next step in management in gunshot wound to the abdomen
preoperative radiograph followed by abdominal exploration
when is surgical exploration of the abdomen justified?
- obvious, penetrating injuries
- unstable pts with rapidly distending abdomen or severe abdominal pain
what test should you do next in someone with suspected abdominal injuries but no justification for abdominal exploration who is unstable?
diagnostic peritneal lavage
“positive” diagnostic peritoneal lavage
- > 10 ml gross blood
- > 100 000/ml RBC in lavage fluid
- appearance of vegetable matter or bile
what test do you use to investigate abdominal trauma in a stable pt?
CT scan w/ contrast
pt with suspected adbominal trauma complains of severe, diffuse abdominal pain - what do you do?
sign of irritation of peritoneum - indication for exploration w/o further tests
a patient comes in but is comatose..how do you examine their abdomen?
physical is useless
- order either DPL, CT or FAST if necessary
pt with suspected abdominal trauma has a CXR; it shows the stomach in the left chest
diaphragm rupture - should be repaired in OR
how do you assess for pelvic bleeding as a cause of hypotension?
pelvic angiogram
- will show significant bleeding from branch of internal iliac artery and can be controlled by embolization
If you feel a radial pulse, the systolic BP is atleast …. (1)
If you feel a femoral or carotid pulse, the systolic BP is atleast (2)
- 80 mmHg
2. 60 mmHg
Who may not mount tachycardic response to hypovolemic shock
Pts with spinal cord injuries
Pts on beta blockers
Well conditioned athletes
Contraindications to Foley catheter placement (4)
Pelvic fracture in men
Blood at urethral meatus
High riding ballotable prostate
Scrotal/perineal injury or ecchymosis
What is a quick way to assess airway?
Ask patient a question, if patient can speak airway is intact
Signs if airway obstruction
Stridor, hoarseness, respiratory retractions, use of accessory muscles
What can the gag reflex tell you about the airway?
If present, the airway is clear
If absent, should inspect airway digitally for foreign bodies
Indications for intubation in a trauma patient
Expanding hematoma
Subcutaneous emphysema (injury to major bronchus)
Pt unconscious - GCS < 8 or severely depressed mental status
Extensive facial fracture
Laryngeal edema - hoarseness, stridor, change in voice
Inadequate respiratory effort
What test do you need to do in a pt with subcutaneous emphysema before intubation?
Fibreoptic bronchoscopy - advance beyond injured segment under direct visualization.
An unconscious pt is brought in with spontaneous but noisy and labored breathing; prior to losing consciousness he complained of neck pain and was unable to move extremities - what should you be considering and doing?
Consider cervical spinal injury
- airway needs to be protected first: perform intubation with manual inline cervical immobilization or over a flexible bronchoscope
Pt in severe MVA is fully awake and alert but he has extensive facial fractures and he is bleeding briskly into his airway - next step?
Secure airway - orotracheal route is probably impossible
- do cricothyroidotomy or percutaneous thyroidostomy
What three things indicate good ‘breathing’
Spontaneous breathing
Bilateral breath sounds
Pulse oximetry over 95
MCC of hypovolemic shock (3)
Bleeding - chest not involved
Pericardial tamponade
Tension PTX
How do you distinguish shock caused by bleeding from tension PTX/ tamponade?
Bleeding has low CVP, tension PTX/tamponade have high CVP and distended neck veins
Tx of hypovolemic shock due to bleeding
Big bore IV lines, Foley catheter and IV antibiotics
Immediate exploratory laparotomy
Fluids and blood administration come AFTER stopping bleeding
Pt comes to ER in state of shock after a gunshot to the groin; he is squirting bright red blood from the wound - what so you do?
Control bleeding by local pressure (gloved finger or sterile pressure dressing) then fluids
A car accident victim is brought in to ER with obvious signs of hypovolemic shock due to bleeding; however, non source of bleeding can be identified - what do you do?
Two large peripheral lines with infusion of Ringer lactate (1-2 L in first 20 minutes followed by blood products
- percutaneous femoral vein catheter if peripheral iv is hard to start
If you are unable to start a peripheral line on a child under age 6, where can you do it?
Intra osseous cannulation of proximal tibia
In children this small, give 20ml/kg of ringers lactate
Signs of pericardial tamponade
Hypotension Muffled heart sounds JVD Pulses paradoxus Kussmauls' sign: JVD with inspiration
Tx of pericardial tamponade
Need to evacuate pericardium - do pericardiocentesis or pericardial window
Follow with thoracotomy and exploratory laparotomy
how do you manage a case of pericardial tamponade in a patient with a stab wound to the chest?
median sternotomy -> no need to do pericardiocentesis first because sternotomy will open the pericardial sac
you suspect tension PTX in pt.. what is your management approach?
immediate big-bore IV needle or IV catheter decompression (2nd IC space, midclavicular line) followed by chest tube in 4th IC space in ant/midaxillary line (at level of nipple in men)
pale, cold, clammy pt with low CVP in a non-trauma setting
internal bleeding
pale, cold clammy pt with high CVP in non-trauma setting
cardiogenic shock
warm, flushed pt with low CVP in non-trauma setting
anaphylactic shock (vasomotor shock)
what do you do in a situation where a weapon or object is impailed in a patient?
never remove it in ER or at scene of crime - should be removed in controlled setting in OR
pt in ER has a scalp laceration and a CT scan showing an underlying linear skull fracture; he is neurologically intact and has no history of LOC - management?
laceration cleaned and closed in ER
- no further action for skull fracture
tx. of a comminuted and depressed skull fracture
cleaning and repair (possible craniotomy) in OR
pt brought in who was hit by a car; he was unconscious at the scene but is now lucid; he does not recall how the accident happened - management?
CT scan
- anyone who became unconscious should have a CT scan
pt is hit by a car and arrives in ER in a coma with ecchymosis around both eyes (raccoon eyes)
basal skull fracture
how can a basal skull fracture present? (3)
ecchymosis around both eyes
clear fluid dripping out of nose/ear
ecchymosis behind the ear
- in addition to pt usually being in a coma
14 yo boy is hit over head with baseball bat, he loses consciousness and recovers prompty and continues to play; one hour later he is found unconscious in the locker room; his right pupil is fixed and dilated and there are signs of contralateral hemiparesis - what test should be done?
CT scan - to diagnose epidural hematoma
tx. of acute epidural hematoma
emergency surgical decompression
- craniotomy
how can you distinguish an acute epidural from subdural hematoma clinically?
epidural hematoma usually has more prominent lucid interval and more trivial injury (vs. big trauma and sicker patient in subdural bleeds)
management of subdural hematoma
if signs of midline shift - emergency craniotomy
if no signs of displacement - monitor ICP, ICU medical tx.