Trauma Overview Flashcards
Define
Blunt Trauma
Direct force to the body but leaves the surface intact
Define
Penetrating Trauma
Passes through the surface to injure underlying soft tissue, organs, and body cavities
Define
Cavitation
A phenomenon in which speed causes a bullet to generate pressure waves, which cause damage distant from the
bullet’s path.
4 stages/levels of a blast injury
- Primary blast
- Secondary Blast
- tertiary blast,
- quaternary blast injuries
Name the numonic
DCAPBTLS-IC
- Deformities
- Contusiin
- Abrasions
- Punctures/Penetrations
- Burns
- Tenderness
- Lacerations
- Swelling
- Instability
- Crepitus
Define
Arterial air embolism
Air bubbles in the arterial blood vessels.
coup-contrecoup brain injury
A brain injury that occurs when force is
applied to the head and energy transmission through brain tissue causes injury on the opposite side of original impact
Define
Deceleration
The slowing of an object.
Define
index of suspicion
Awareness that unseen life-threatening injuries may exist when determining the mechanism of injury.
Define
Pulmonary blast injuries
Pulmonary trauma resulting from shortrange exposure to the detonation of explosives.
Define
Tympanic membrane
The eardrum; a thin, semitransparent membrane in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations to the internal ear by means of auditory ossicles.
What are the two main categories used to describe traumatic injuries?
Blunt trauma and penetrating trauma.
In a motor vehicle collision, what are the three impacts (collisions) that occur?
- The collision of the vehicle against an object;
- The collision of the passenger against the interior of the vehicle;
- The collision of the passenger’s internal organs against the solid structures of the body.
What key finding from a motor vehicle crash should maintain a high index of suspicion for serious patient injury?
Significant damage to the vehicle.
Besides vehicle damage, what are other significant MOI factors that should raise suspicion for serious injury?
Falls from a significant height or sustained penetrating trauma to the body.
Why is it important to communicate the MOI and assessment findings to hospital staff?
To ensure appropriate and timely treatment for the patient upon arrival.
How does the assessment approach differ for a patient with a nonsignificant MOI compared to a significant MOI?
For a nonsignificant MOI, the assessment is often more focused on the patient’s chief complaint.
What factors determine the criteria for transporting a trauma patient to a specific trauma center?
The mechanism of injury, the patient’s vital signs, and the level/capabilities of the trauma center.
What is a Level I trauma center?
It is the highest level of trauma center, providing comprehensive trauma care.
