Immediate Management of Bleeding, Shock, and Immunologic Emergencies

These flashcards cover vocabulary regarding the management of hemorrhage, the circulatory system, wound care techniques, stages and types of shock, and anaphylactic reactions as detailed in Chapter 6.

Hemostasis

The physiologic process of stopping bleeding, involving vascular spasm, formation of a platelet plug, and development of a clot.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry unoxygenated blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where exchange with organs and tissues occurs; they connect arteries with veins.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood.

Stroke volume (SV)

The amount of blood pumped by the heart per heart beat.

Cardiac output (CO)

The total amount of blood pumped per minute, calculated by the formula: $CO = SV \times HR$

Systolic BP

The pressure exerted on vessel walls during the phase when the heart pumps.

Diastolic BP

The pressure exerted on vessel walls when the heart is not pumping.

Pulse pressure

The numerical difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Perfusion

The delivery of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to body tissues and the removal of metabolic waste products.

Hypoperfusion

A state of inadequate blood delivery to the body, also known as shock.

Arterial bleeding

Bright red, oxygen-rich blood that is often rapid and profuse, escaping from an artery.

Venous bleeding

A steady flow of dark, unoxygenated blood escaping from a vein.

Capillary bleeding

Dark-colored blood that oozes and typically clots spontaneously.

Ecchymosis

A bruise or discoloration of the skin.

Epistaxis

A nose-bleed.

Hematemesis

The act of vomiting blood.

Hemoptysis

The act of coughing up blood.

Menorrhagia

Excessive menstrual flow.

Petechiae

Small, intradermal hemorrhages.

Purpura

Large skin hemorrhages.

Telangiectasias

Dilated small vessels visible on the skin, commonly referred to as spider veins.

Kehr’s sign

Pain referred to the left shoulder that may be a delayed sign of internal hemorrhage or splenic injury.

Melena

A delayed sign of internal hemorrhage characterized by black, tarry stools.

Hematochezia

The passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools.

Hemostatic Agents

Nonprescription topical products in the form of granules or dressings that absorb water from blood to concentrate clotting factors.

Debridement

The removal of foreign bodies, dead, and/or devitalized tissue from a wound bed.

Autolytic debridement

The softening and digesting of necrotic tissue and waste by neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages.

Sharp debridement

The removal of necrotic tissue still attached to the body using sterile instruments.

Dressings

Material that covers an open wound and makes direct contact with it to control bleeding and prevent infection.

Bandages

Materials used to hold a dressing in place, apply pressure, reduce swelling, or provide support to an extremity.

Foam Dressings

Semiocclusive dressings used for partial and full-thickness wounds that can remain for $3-7$ days.

Hydrogels

Dressings used for partial and full-thickness wounds that can remain for $3$ days and must be changed if filled with exudate.

Hydrocolloids

Dressings for superficial to full-thickness wounds that absorb moderate levels of exudate and can remain up to $7$ days.

Dermal adhesives

Wound closure products used in combination with subcutaneous sutures, which should be applied within $12$ hours after injury.

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock resulting from decreased intravascular volume, often caused by hemorrhage, dehydration, or vomiting.

Septic Shock

Shock caused by severe bacterial or fungal infection, leading to increased capillary permeability and vessel dilation.

Neurogenic Shock

Shock caused by a sudden loss of function in the autonomic nervous system, often due to spinal cord injury, fear, or horror.

Psychogenic Shock

Fainting caused by a nervous system reaction that brings about sudden dilation of blood vessels, momentarily interrupting flow to the brain.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock caused by the heart failing to pump blood adequately, usually due to heart attack, electrical shock, or injury.

Obstructive Shock

Shock caused by mechanical obstruction of the heart or great vessels, such as physical blockage or cardiac tamponade.

Metabolic Shock

Shock associated with changes in body chemistry or failure of the adrenal, thyroid, or pituitary glands, including insulin shock.

Compensated Shock

The early stage of shock where the body redirects blood flow to major organs and maintains blood pressure through mechanisms like tachycardia.

Decompensated Shock

The stage of shock where the body can no longer adjust to blood loss, marked by a systolic BP less than $90\,mmHg$.

Oliguria

A laboratory finding indicative of shock where urine output is less than $0.5\,mL/kg/h$.

Anaphylaxis

A sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction involving an exaggerated immune response and the release of histamine.

Angioedema

A sign of anaphylaxis characterized by swelling of the area beneath the skin or mucosa.

Urticaria

Hives or skin rashes triggered by an allergic reaction.

Pruritus

Severe itching of the skin, often a symptom of anaphylaxis.