trunk trauma Flashcards
3 Mechanisms of chest injury
blunt, crush, penetrating
Blunt happens when? (acceleration/deceleration)
Commonly result from fall from height, or RTA at speed
Blunt consequences?
Sudden deceleration leads to intrathoracic organs taking on large apparent weights
Causes destruction of attached vasculature
crush happens when
elastic limits of the chest and its contents have been exceeded
crush presentation
flail chest with multiple rib fractures, pneumothorax or haemothorax,
pulmonary contusion
Penetrating happens when
Stabbing, shrapnel, missile or bullet
other mechanism of injury
blast, inhalation burns, foreign body aspiration
ATMIST: paramedic handover to trauma team stands for
Age time of injury mechanism of injury injuries identified symptoms and signs treatment given
what is major trauma
Major injury affecting more than one body system
Injury severity score >15
what is “golden hour”
- urgency of care required by major trauma patients to prevent ‘early deaths’
- Some patients have overwhelming injuries and will die immediately, others have injuries that are
salvageable if addressed in time, if this window is missed then they will die
what is seatbelt sign
Contusions and abrasions on abdomen of a restrained occupant in an MVA
what will seatbelt sign mandates?
Mandates close observation of abdominal CT
seatbelt syndrome?
small bowel, stomach and colon and vertebral injury
Chance fracture
primary survey airway includes?
- maintenance with cervical spine protection(Jaw thrust/chin lift, suction)
- Two aspects to a good airway :patent and protected
- Endotracheal intubation with decreased LOC
Breathing includes?
- Inspect thorax and neck for deviated trachea, open wounds, abnormal chest movement,
crepitus-
Auscultate for breath sounds
consequence of rib fracture?
Isolated = CXR to exclude associated injury
Multiple = beware pneumothorax
Flail segment = beware pneumothorax
Circulation and haemorrhage control
Assess blood volume–skin colour, cap refill, radial/femoral/carotid pulse,BP
Signs of haemorrhagic shock:
- Tachycardia > reduced pulse pressure > hypotension > reduced perfusion to peripheries and brain
haemorrhage control includes?
- Place 2 large bore peripheral IV catheter
- Rapid infusion of warm crystalloid solution if needed
- Direct pressure to sites of external bleeding
- Consider central venous access if peripheral sites are unavailable
- Consider pericardiocentesis for suspected pericardial tamponade Left lateral decubitus position for third trimester pregnancy
Disability includes assessment of?
Neurologic screening, MSE Pupil size and reactivity -Limb length and movement ,grip strength - Orientation,GCS - Measure glucose
exposure means?
Expose the patient–inspect for burns, toxic exposure
- Log roll maintaining neck stabilisation – inspect and palpate thoracic spine, flank, back and buttocks
what is DCR
Damage control resuscitation
- Approach to trauma combining ABC rather than just ABC o Catastrophic bleeding > airway > breathing > circulation
- Requires early recognition and pre-emptive management
6 killing conditions in primary survey: ATOM-FC
Airway obstruction or disruption Tension pneumothorax Open pneumothorax Massive haemothorax Flail chest Cardiac tamponade
The bloody viscous cycle
Bleeding > acidosis > hypothermia > coagulopathy
What is secondary survey?
Top to toe examination for additional injuries or findings
what does secondary survey include?
Scalp wound bleeding – direct pressure, sutures o Facial instability, potential for airway instability Identify haematotympanum Identify epistaxis Identify avulsed teeth, jaw instability Abdominal distention and tenderness Penetrating injuries Pelvic stability Inspect urethral meatus for blood Peripheral pulses for vascular compromise
what is stress responses?
Hormonal and metabolic changes following trauma/surgery
endocrine changes in stress response?
Increased secretion of pituitary hormones > increase in catabolism of food substrates (carb, protein, fat)
Increased activation of SNS
Insulin resistance in perioperative period
Sympathoadrenal changes in stress response?
Hypothalamic activation of ANS > increased secretion of catecholamines from adrenal medulla + release of NE from presynaptic nerve terminals = tachycardia, hypertension
what is local inflammatory response in stress response?
o Cytokines released – IL-1, TNF-a
o IL-6 (acute phase response): Production of acute phase proteins in the liver
- Increased CRP, fibrinogen, alpha 2 macroglobulin, copper
- Decrease in transferrin, albumin, zinc and iron
- Act as inflammatory mediators
what is type1 resp failure?
Hypoxemic - most common form
o Occurs because of damage to lung tissues, preventing oxygenation of blood (V/Q mismatch and
shunting, leading to widening of alveolar-arterial PaO2 gradient)
o Low arterial PaO2 + low/normal arterial PaCO2
o Almost all diseases of lung involving fluid filling or collapse of alveoli – cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic
pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, pulmonary haemorrhage
what is type 2 resp failure
Hypercapnic
o ‘Ventilatory failure’ – alveolar ventilation is insufficient to excrete CO2 produced o Low arterial PaO2 + high arterial PaCO2
o Drug overdose, neuromuscular disease, chest wall abnormalities and COPD