Blunt and Penetrating Trauma

Blunt and penetrating trauma

Categories of traumatic injury based on whether the body is struck by force or pierced by an object.

Nonsignificant injuries

Include injury to an isolated body part or a fall without loss of consciousness.

Significant mechanisms of injury (MOIs)

Include multisystem trauma, falls from heights, motor vehicle or motorcycle crashes, car versus pedestrian or cyclist incidents, gunshot wounds, and stabbings.

Index of suspicion in trauma

Maintain a high level of awareness for serious unseen injuries whether one or multiple body systems are involved.

Blunt trauma

Injury caused by force to the body without penetration of the soft tissues, internal organs, or body cavities.

Penetrating trauma

Injury caused by objects that pierce the body and damage underlying soft tissues, internal organs, and body cavities.

Assessment of trauma

Both visible injuries and unseen injuries must be considered in blunt and penetrating trauma.

Underlying tissue damage

Damage to deeper tissues is often more severe than surface injuries.

Signs of blunt trauma

Skin discoloration or reports of pain may be the only indicators of blunt trauma.