Trauma to the Head, Neck, and Spine, Musculoskeletal Trauma Flashcards
Which structures connect bone ends, making joints more stable?
Ligaments
What allows for smooth movement of bone surfaces against one another at joints?
Cartilage
Describe compartment syndrome
A serious condition caused by the bleeding and swelling from a fracture or crush injury that becomes so strong that the body can no longer perfuse the tissues against that pressure.
What is an injury to the musculature of an extremity?
Strain
Describe an open extremity injury.
A gunshot wound has penetrated the skin and then fractured the bone, bone ends have lacerated the soft tissues and skin from the inside
A traction splint may be used on what musculoskeletal injuries?
A possible fracture of the femur
11-yr-old male, swollen, painful, angulated right lower arm after falling from his bicycle onto his hands. What should be considered in the immobilization of his injured extremity?
Check pulse, movement, and sensation distal to the injury before and after splinting.
70-yr-old male, tractor rolled over onto him, possibly fractured pelvis. What complication should you anticipate?
Shock, damage to internal organs, damage to the nerves of the lower extremities
The left side of the brain controls sensation of which leg?
Right leg
Which section of the spine are the ribs attached?
Thoracic
Name 3 bone fractures that would be considered a skull fracture.
Temporal bone, nasal bone, maxilla
What is a sign of possible brain injury?
A deep laceration of the scalp, projectile vomiting, irregular breathing pattern
What is a potential complication of hyperventilating a patient with a brain injury?
Decreasing blood flow to the brain
How are concussions related to unconsciousness?
It is accompanied by recurrent episodes of unconsciousness
What is the underlying cause of neurogenic shock?
Dilation of blood vessels
