EMT Ch. 28- Face & Neck Injuries

major bones of the face

• nasal bone

• two maxillae (upper jaw)

• two zygomas (cheek)

• mandible (lower jaw)

tragus

small/rounded fleshy bulge immediately anterior to ear canal

mastoid process

prominent bony mass at base of skull

temporomandibular joint

allows for motion of mandible; located in front of ear

aniscoria

unequal pupils

in pts who are unconscious/have AMS, abnormal pupil reactions sometimes are a sign of ___

brain injury

guidelines for treating penetrating injuries of the eye

• never exert pressure on/manipulate injured eye in any way

• if part of eyeball is exposed, gently apply a moist/sterile dressing to prevent drying

• cover injured eye w/ protective metal eye shield, cup, sterile dressing; apply soft dressings to both eyes, provide prompt transport

hyphema

bleeding into anterior chamber of eye, obscuring part/all of iris

blow-out fracture

fracture of orbital bones caused by blunt trauma; can cause displacement of eye & cause double vision, pain, decreased vision

possible indicators of head injuries in eyes

• one pupil larger than the other in unconscious pt

• eyes not moving together or pointing in different directions

• failure of eyes to follow movement of finger as instructed

• bleeding under conjunctiva, obscuring sclera of eye

• protrusion/bulging of one eye

true/false: removing contact lenses should be limited to pts w/ chemical burn injuries to eye

true

anterior nosebleeds

• start from area of septum

• bleed slowly

• self-limited & resolve quickly

posterior nosebleeds

• usually caused by trauma to face/skull

• severe, often cause pt to swallow blood (leading to nausea/vomiting)