Trauma Procedures Flashcards
During the first collision in a MVA, what occurs?
the vehicle strikes another object
During the second collision, what occurs?
The victim collides with the interior of the vehicle
During the third collision, what occurs?
The victim’s internal organs collide with the solid structures of the body. Most life-threatening!
hemoptysis is a finding that suggest what injury following trauma?
bleeding in the lungs
hematemesis is a finding that suggests what injury following trauma?
gastrointestinal bleeding
describe a myocardial contusion
a bruise of the heart muscle that occurs due to blunt chest trauma
what effect does a myocardial contusion have on the heart
decreases pumping function
what injuries occur during the primary blast?
damage to hollow organs
what injuries occur during the secondary blast phase?
when shrapnel and other debris are propelled away from the blast (impalement)
what injuries occur during the tertiary blast phase?
blunt injuries, person being propelled way from the explosion.
what is a coup-contracoup injury?
a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the brain sustains damage in two distinct locations (initial impact and opposite side)
hyperflexion injury occurs when…
a joint is bent beyond its normal range of motion
hyperextension injury occurs when…
occurs when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion in the opposite direction of flexion
what must occur before displacing a limb to restore a pulse?
contact medical control
vehicular crashes are labeled as…
frontal (head-on), rear-end, lateral (T-bone), rollover, and rotational (spins)
a fall greater than ___ is considered significant
20 ft
what is cavitation?
a phenomenon in which speed causes a bullet to generate pressure waves, which cause damage distant from the bullet’s path
primary blast injuries are injuries due to…
the blast wave itself (pressure)
secondary blast injuries are due to…
missiles being propelled by blast force
tertiary blast injuries are injuries due to…
impact with another object
quaternary blast injuries are injuries due to…
collateral injuries such as burns, crush injuries, and toxic inhalation
in blast injuries, what is most susceptible to the pressure?
hollow organs like the middle ear, lungs, and GI tract
what is pulmonary blast injuries?
pulmonary trauma resulting from short-range exposure to the detonation of high-energy explosives
avoid giving what with pulmonary blast injuries?
giving oxygen under positive pressure
what two symptoms are common after an intense pressure wave from an explosion?
bradycardia and hypotension
describe a level 1 trauma center
providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention through rehab
describe a level 2 trauma center
able to initiate definitive care for all injured patients
describe a level 3 trauma center
able to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, and stable injured patients
describe a level 4 trauma center
able to provide advanced trauma life support before transfer
describe crush syndrome
significant metabolic derangement that develops when crushed extremities remain trapped for prolonged periods. Develops when the body has been trapped for 4+ hours
describe compartment syndrome
swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow
how should you treat evisceration injuries?
cover them with sterile moist dressing (saline solution) and cover with occlusive dressing
when are the only times you can remove an impaled object?
objects in the cheek or mouth obstructing breathing or objects in the chest that directly interfere with performing CPR
describe an air embolism
a condition where air bubbles enter the bloodstream and block blood flow
how do you treat a bite site?
place dry, sterile dressing over the wound
what are the 5 factors to help you determine the severity of a burn?
- depth of burn
- extent of the burn
- critical areas that are burned
- pre-existing conditions?
- age
describe a full thickness burn
third degree burn, all layers of the skin are involved, may not have any feeling
describe a partial-thickness burn
second degree burn, entire layer is not destroyed, skin is moist/mottled, white to red, blisters and very painful
describe a superficial burn
first degree burn, only involved top layer of skin, red but does not blister
when checking the respiratory system of a burn victim, check these…
-soot around the mouth and nose
-singed nasal hairs
-examine tongue and ask them to cough
describe a traumatic aortic transection
also known as an aortic rupture, tear in the aorta caused by trauma, life threatening
describe traumatic asphyxia
occurs when a sudden force is applied to the chest, results in sudden massive amounts of blood being shunted from the neck, face, and head.
in a trauma patient, the blood vessels should be ____
constricting
