Studied by 6 people
Basilar Skull Fracture
The breaking of the bone in the base of the skull
Causes:
Significant trauma to the head: MVC, Fall, Assault
Signs and Symptoms:
Battle Sign
Raccoon Eyes
Bleed from ear/nose
CSF from ear/nose
N/V
Treatments:
Manage ABC’s
NO NPA’s
Assess GCS
C-Spine
Elevate head at 30 degrees
CNS/Neuro checks every 5 minutes
Spinal Cord Injury
Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves
Causes:
Blunt or Penetrating trauma
MVC’s
Suicide
Signs and Symptoms:
Loss of strength, function, and sensation below the side of injury
Loss of muscle use
Respiratory issues
Treatments:
Manage ABC’s
C-Spine
Burns
Damage to the skin/deeper tissues caused by exposure to various forms of heat
Causes:
Sun
Flames
Electrical
Chemical
Steam
Signs and Symptoms:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree symptoms
Treatments:
1st degree - cool/rinse - tepid water
2nd and 3rd degree - dry, sterile dressing
Manage ABC’s
Treat for shock (keep warm)
What does arterial bleeding look like?
Bright red, spurting/squirting
Treatment:
Direct pressure and or tourniquet
What does venous bleeding look like?
Dark, oozing/ dripping
Treatment:
Direct pressure
Bandaging/Elevation
Cold Pack
What does capillary bleeding look like?
Minor, small amounts, bright red
Treatment:
Direct Pressure
Bandaging
Superficial Burn
1st Degree Burns
red, swelling, and sore
On the epidermis
Partial-Thickness Burn
2nd Degree Burns
blisters, oozing, and painful
On the epidermis and part of the dermis
Full Thickness Burn
3rd Degree Burns
waxy, black, soot, and nerve damage
On the subcutaneous layer and maybe even into muscle or bone
NOT PAINFUL
Layers of the Skin
Epidermis: Outermost waterproof layer
Dermis: middle layer of touch connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands
Subcutaneous Layer: deepest layer consisting of fat and connective tissue
Techniques for Treating Burns
Access airway (provide O2)
Burns
Large Burns - dry, sterile dressings
Small Burns: moist dressing/rinse
Cushing’s Triad
For accessing increased cranial pressure
Systolic BP increases
Decreased HR
Irregular respirations
Epidural Hematoma
arterial bleeding rapidly within the skull (RAPID ONSET)
between the skull and dura mater
Subdural Hematoma
venous bleeding
between the dura mater and arachnoid mater
Intracerebral Hematoma
bleeding within the brain tissue itself (RAPID ONSET)
parenchyma bleed or hemorrhagic stroke
Subarachnoid Hematoma
aneurysm rupture and bleeding
between arachnoid and pia mater
Meninges Layers
tissues that protect the CNS
Abrasion
wound on the superficial skin layer
ex. road rash
Air Embolism
the presence of air in a vein/artery which can block circulation
Avulsion
injury that separates layers of the skin
Contusion
injured tissue/skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; BRUISE
Coup Injury
1st injury
impact
Countercoup
2nd injury
when force is applied to the head and energy transmission through brain tissues causes injury to the opposite side of the impact
Crush Injury
metabolic derangement when crushed extremities or body parts remained trapped for long periods of time
ex. muscle swelling/neurological disturbances
Evisceration
the protrusion of an organ through a bodily opening
Hematoma
blood that has collected within damaged tissue or a body cavity
Laceration
a jagged cut in the skin caused by a sharp object
Occlusive Dressing
a dressing that prevents air and liquids from entering or exiting a wound
Puncture
wound from a piercing object into soft tissue
Retrograde Amnesia
the inability to remember events that lead up to a head injury
Primary Brain Injury
an injury to the brain and it’s structures that is a direct result of impact to the head
Secondary Brain Injury
indirect injury to the brain that increases the severity of the primary injury
ex. hypoxia and hypo/hypertension
Car Crashes (3 “collisions”)
Car against object (VEHICLE COLLISION)
Passenger against interior of the car (BODY COLLISION)
Passenger’s internal organs against body (INTERAL COLLISION)
Common Pathways of Injury in Frontal Collision
“Up and Over”
Injuries Seen with this Collision
Head
Neck/C-Spine
Chest
Pelvis
“Down and Under”
Injuries Seen with this Collision
Pelvis
Femurs
Abdominal
Legs/Feet
Spidering of the Windshield Indicates…
Head/ body struck the windshield
Suspect head injury/C-spine injury
Deformed Steering Wheel Indicates…
Head struck the wheel
Suspect severe head/chest injury
Bruising Spanning from the Shoulders Down Across the Abdomen to the Waist Indicates…
Blunt injury from seatbelt due to deceleration
Suspect internal injury/hemorrhage
Minor Rashing on the Patients Face and Arms Indicates…
Allergic reaction from airbag dust
BSA Burn %’s for Children
Head: 18%
Arms (1): 9%
Legs (1): 14%
Back: 18%
Chest/Abdomen: 18%
BSA Burn %’s for Adults
Head: 9%
Neck: 1%
Arms (1): 9%
Legs (1): 18%%
Back: 18%
Chest/Abdomen: 18%
Groin: 1%
How can burns affect multibody systems?
Integumentary - Burns/damaged tissue
Cardiac - Vessel damage/fluid loss
Respiratory - Airway swelling/obstruction
Nervous - destroyed nerves
Renal - Decreased fluid output
How do we treat burns to the hands and feet?
Position of Comfort
Dry sterile sheets
Gauze in between fingers and toes
GSC Scale
Eyes: 4 - Open Spontaneously 3 - Open in response to Verbal commands/speech 2 - Open in response to Pain or pressure 1 - No eye opening Verbal - 5 - Oriented conversation 4 - Confused conversation 3 - Inappropriate responses 2 - Incomprehensible sounds 1 - No verbal response Motor - 6 - Obeys movement commands 5 - Purposeful movement to pain stimulus 4 - Withdraws from pain 3 - Abnormal flexion 2 - Abnormal extension (rigid muscles) 1 - No motor response
Quadriplegia
paralysis of all 4 limbs
What Causes It?
cervical/thoracic injuries
Paraplegia
paralysis of the legs and lower body
What Causes It?
lumbar/thoracic injuries
Decorticate
abnormal limbs to core movement
Decerebrate
Abnormal extension and pointed toes
Note 
Flashcard (21)