wounds

how to treat closed wounds

apply ice pack, check for fractures, elevate, apply elastic bandage

closed wound

skin is not broken but the tissue and blood vessels are crushed

avulsion

tearing off of skin

avulsions mainly affect

fingers, toes, hands, forearms, leg, feet, nose, pp

avulsions are more serious in

accidents and industrial settings

wounds need professional care if

long or deep, over a joint, bite, impairs senses, all layers of skin removed, over broken bone

abrasion

top layer of skin removed

laceration

jagged cut, tissue damage

first aid for open wounds

maintain open airway, expose wound, apply pressure, keep wound clean, apply dressing and bandage

activate ems if

blood spurts, deeper than epidermis, uncontrolled bleeding, embedded object, bite

closed wounds types

bruises, contusions, hematomas, crush injuries

impaled object treatment

don't remove the object unless it's in the cheek or the airway is obstructed, stabilize it, apply pressure on the skin around object

how to treat amputations

rinse the part with water (don't scrub), wrap in dressing, place in plastic bag with cold water and container with ice, give to ems when they transport victim

gunshot wounds legal aspects

all gunshot wounds must be reported to police, don't touch anything unless unnecessary, keep record of observations, preserve evidence

how to treat penetrating chest injuries

if organs protrude activate ems, don't touch or stuff it back in, cover with dressings, cover with plastic wrap and tape on 3 sides, place bandage, stabilize

how to treat splinter

use tweezer to pull on angle of entry

how to treat embedded splinter

use needle to break skin and remove it with a tweezer

how to treat gunshot

call 911, expose wound, apply pressure, treat for shock

clamping objects usually involve

hand or finger

how to treat fishhooks if barb is in skin

remove with pliers or sting jerk, or can tape in place and wait for help

how to treat fishhooks if barb is not in skin

backing out, treat as puncture wound

gunshots at scene

run, hide, or fight

gunshot causes

penetrating wound, perforated wound

penetrating wound

entry only, burned around edges

perforated wound

entry and exit

suture is needed

within 24 hours

benefits of a suture

faster healing, reduced scarring and infection

don't suture if

cut edges of the skin fall together, cut is shallow

types of impaled objects

pencils, knives, screwdrivers

blister

fluid in a bubble under the outer layer of skin

what causes blisters

repeated rubbing

crushing amputation

extremity is separated by being crushed or mashed off

clean amputation

extremity is cleanly cut off

tetanus

illness caused by bacteria entering a wound and producing a poisonous toxin that causes muscles to tighten

incision

smooth edged cut

what to not use on a wound

irrigation, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, soaks, tape, blowing on it

what increases chance of infection

bites, dirty material left in wound, crushed tissue, injury to an underlying bone or joint

amputation

part of the body is completely severed