Exam 3 all units

Mass Casualty Incident (MCI)

An event that results in a large number of casualties, overwhelming the normal capabilities of emergency services.

Triage

The process of prioritizing patients for treatment based on the severity of their illness or injury.

START

Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, an algorithm used to classify patients during mass casualty situations.

Mitigation

The phase of emergency management that involves reducing the risk of disasters and minimizing their effects.

Preparedness

The phase of emergency management where plans are developed to address risks before an emergency occurs.

Emergency Response

The implementation of plans during and immediately after an emergency to save lives and prevent property damage.

Recovery

The phase following an emergency focused on returning the community to normal or creating a new, safer normal.

Expectant Triage Category

Patients unlikely to survive given the severity of injuries; may be provided palliative care and pain relief only.

Immediate Triage Category

Patients requiring immediate intervention and transport for survival; serious compromises to airway, breathing, or circulation.

Delayed Triage Category

Patients with serious injuries whose transport can be delayed; not expected to deteriorate significantly over several hours.

Minor Triage Category

Patients with relatively minor injuries; able to assist in their own care, transport can be delayed.

Reverse Triage

A triage method where the most severely injured receive the least immediate care to maximize overall survival in mass casualty scenarios.

Safety Zones

Designated areas established during disaster responses to ensure the safety of personnel and victims, categorized as hot, warm, or cold zones.

Bioterrorism

The deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other microbes to harm or intimidate civilians.

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency, responsible for coordinating emergency management and response efforts at the federal level.

CERT Program

Community Emergency Response Team program that trains citizens in lifesaving skills to support emergency services.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A scale used to assess the level of consciousness in a person following a brain injury.

Intracranial Hematoma

A collection of blood within the skull that can lead to increased intracranial pressure.

SBAR Communication Tool

A structured method for communicating critical information that requires immediate attention and action.

Craniotomy

A surgical procedure to remove a portion of the skull to access the brain.

Cushing’s Triad

A clinical syndrome characterized by hypertension, irregular respirations, and bradycardia, indicative of increased intracranial pressure.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

A measure of the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream.

Seizure Precautions

Preventive measures taken to protect a patient from injury during seizures.

Aphasia

A disorder affecting speech and language abilities, often due to brain injury.

Ataxia

Loss of control of bodily movements, often resulting from neurological damage.

Monitor Progression

To continuously observe and record changes in a patient's neurological status.

Neuro ICU

A specialized intensive care unit focused on the treatment of neurological conditions.

Mannitol

A medication used to reduce intracranial pressure by drawing fluid out of the brain.

Urine Drug Screen (UDS)

A test used to detect the presence of drugs in a person's urine.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord that may result in loss of function, mobility, and sensation.

Cognitive Assessment

Evaluation of a patient's mental processes including attention, memory, and understanding.

Mental Status Change

Alterations in cognitive functions often observed after a brain injury.

Types of Burns

Thermal, Chemical, Radiation, Electrical.

Thermal Burn

Burn caused by exposure to heat that is either dry (fire) or moist (hot liquids) and is the most common type.

Chemical Burn

Burn caused by direct contact with caustic substances like alkalis or acids; alkali burns are generally more severe.

Extent of Burn

Percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned, often estimated using the Rule of Nines.

Full-thickness Burn

Burn that damages the epidermis, dermis, and extends into subcutaneous tissue.

Superficial Burn

Burn that only affects the epidermis, characterized by redness and swelling without blistering.

Parkland Formula

4 mL x body weight (kg) x % TBSA burned; used to calculate fluid resuscitation in burn patients.

Compartment Syndrome

A condition when excessive pressure builds up within a muscle compartment, impeding blood flow and potentially leading to tissue death.

Fluid Resuscitation

The process of replenishing bodily fluids lost due to severe burns; often utilizes isotonic fluids like Lactated Ringer's.

Priority Nursing Intervention for Burns

Maintain airway, establish IV access, monitor vital signs, and manage pain.

Signs of Fluid Resuscitation Effectiveness

Adequate urine output, stable vital signs, and improved skin turgor.

Potential Complications of Facial Burns

Smoke inhalation leading to airway mucosa damage and risk of corneal abrasions.

ABG Abnormality in Burn Patients

Typically shows metabolic acidosis with hypoxemia.

Nursing Diagnoses for Burn Patients

Acute pain, fluid volume deficit, impaired skin integrity, risk for infection, and disturbed body image.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The sum of the pressure of brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the skull. Normal ICP is less than or equal to 15 mmHg in adults.

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The amount of pressure needed to maintain blood flow to the brain, normally between 60 and 100 mmHg.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A capillary system that separates arterial and venous networks in the brain, protecting against neurotoxic substances.

Monro-Kellie Doctrine

A principle stating that the skull is a rigid compartment that contains three components: brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid; an increase in one requires a decrease in another to avoid elevated ICP.

Increased Intracranial Pressure (IICP)

Condition where ICP is sustained greater than 15 mmHg, leading to reduced CSF and blood flow, causing ischemia.

Glasgow Coma Scale

A scale used to assess consciousness based on three responses: eye opening, motor response, and verbal response; with 15 being the highest score.

Decorticate Rigidity

A posture indicating severe brain injury, characterized by flexed arms and legs with internal rotation.

Decerebrate Rigidity

A posture indicating severe brain injury, characterized by extended arms and legs, with plantar flexion.

Cushing’s Triad

A clinical syndrome characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations, typically seen in increased ICP.

Herniation

The displacement of brain tissue due to increased ICP, which can be life-threatening.

Hydrocephalus

A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, often leading to increased ICP.

Concussion

A type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may not always result in loss of consciousness, with symptoms including confusion, headache, and nausea.

Osmotic Diuretics (Mannitol)

Medications used to reduce ICP by drawing fluid out of the brain.

Neuro Assessment

A systematic approach to evaluate neurological status, including mental status, pupillary response, and motor function.

Serum Electrolytes

Blood tests used to monitor essential minerals in the body, which can affect neurological function.

ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) Testing

A test that measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, crucial for assessing respiratory function.

Mobility Impairment

Reduced ability to move, often seen in patients with altered level of consciousness, which can lead to tissue integrity issues.

CT Scan

A diagnostic imaging test used to visualize internal structures of the brain, commonly used in head injury assessments.

Increased Intracranial Pressure (IICP)

A condition characterized by an elevation of pressure inside the skull caused by various factors such as cerebral edema, hemorrhage, or tumors.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The sum of the pressure exerted by brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid within the skull.

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The amount of pressure needed to maintain blood flow to the brain, calculated as CPP = Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) - ICP.

Monroe-Kellie Hypothesis

States that the volume within the cranial cavity is fixed, and an increase in one component (brain, blood, or CSF) must be compensated by a decrease in another to maintain normal ICP.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by external trauma, resulting in various symptoms and potentially leading to increased intracranial pressure.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A scale used to assess the level of consciousness in a person, with lower scores indicating reduced consciousness and higher scores indicating normal consciousness.

Concussion

The most common type of TBI, which may cause symptoms such as confusion, nausea, and headache, and can occur without loss of consciousness.

Clinical manifestations of IICP

Symptoms that may indicate increased intracranial pressure, including decreased consciousness, headache, confusion, and abnormal posturing.

Osmotic diuretics

Medications used as a primary treatment for IICP to help draw fluid out of the brain and reduce cerebral edema.

Risk factors for IICP

Factors that may increase the likelihood of elevated intracranial pressure, such as trauma, poor nutrition, and drug or alcohol abuse.

Non-pharmacological therapy for IICP

Therapies that include environmental modifications and supportive measures, such as maintaining a quiet environment and monitoring patient status.

Nursing interventions for decreased ICP

Strategies nurses can implement to reduce intracranial pressure, including maintaining airway patency, monitoring neurologic status, and administering medications.

Late manifestations of IICP

Symptoms that indicate severe IICP, including coma, abnormal posturing, and changes in vital signs.

Management of IICP

Includes assessing risk factors, monitoring neurological status, and potentially implementing surgical interventions if ICP is critically high.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by an external force, leading to a range of symptoms and complications.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord resulting in loss of function, mobility, or sensation.

Cerebral Edema

Swelling in brain tissue that increases brain size and negatively affects perfusion and oxygenation.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The pressure within the skull due to the combined volume of brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Cushing's Triad

A clinical syndrome associated with increased ICP, characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.

Glasgow Coma Scale

A scale used to assess a patient's level of consciousness, with a maximum score of 15.

Secondary Brain Injury

Additional damage occurring after the initial injury, often due to hypotension, hypoxia, or disrupted oxygen and glucose supply.

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The pressure necessary to ensure blood flow to the brain; calculated as CPP = MAP - ICP.

MAP

Mean Arterial Pressure, the average arterial pressure throughout one cardiac cycle.

CSF Leakage

Seepage of cerebrospinal fluid from the skull or spine, often indicating a risk of infection or other complications.

Rule of Nines

A quick method for estimating the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned by assigning percentages to each part of the body.

TBSA

Total Body Surface Area, the percentage of the body's surface area that is burned.

Parkland Formula

A formula used to calculate the total amount of fluid needed within 24 hours after a burn injury.

Fluid Resuscitation

The process of replenishing bodily fluids lost from burns to prevent shock and maintain blood pressure.

Burn Shock

A condition resulting from a major burn injury, causing massive fluid shifts from blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

Compartment Syndrome

A serious condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels, often occurring after severe burns.

Palm Method

A method of estimating burn area by using the patient's palm, which is approximately 1% of total body area.

Lund and Browder Method

A more accurate method for estimating TBSA based on the client's age and considers body proportion.

Special Areas

Areas of the body (face, hands, feet, groin) that require immediate hospitalization if burned.

Calculating mL/hr

Determining the rate of fluid administration per hour following a burn incident.

WBC (Leukocyte)

White blood cells that fight infection.

Neutrophil

Type of white blood cell essential in preventing or limiting bacterial infection via phagocytosis.