Trauma weak spots

What is ventilation?

The body's ability to move air in and out of the chest and lung tissue.

What is oxygenation?

The process of delivering oxygen to the blood by diffusion from the alveoli following inhalation.

What is the thoracic cavity?

Extends from where the neck and chest meet to the diaphragm, allowing for the ventilation process.

What do intercostal muscles do?

Connect the ribs and help elevate the rib cage during breathing.

What is the neurovascular bundle?

A network of nerves, arteries, and veins.

What does the parietal pleura cover?

The inner chest wall.

What does the visceral pleura cover?

The lungs.

What is the trachea?

A tube in the middle of the neck that divides into the left and right mainstem bronchi.

What is the function of bronchi?

To supply air to the lungs.

What is the mediastinum?

A cavity or space centrally located in the thorax.

What is the diaphragm?

The muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

What happens during inhalation?

Intercostal muscles contract, elevating the rib cage, and the diaphragm contracts, decreasing pressure in the chest.

What happens during exhalation?

The intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax, forcing air out of the lungs.

What is the significance of the C3 and C5 vertebrae in breathing?

C1-C3 = diaphragm, no intercostals (no breathing)

C4-C5 = + diaphragm, no intercostals (inadequate breathing)

Below C6-C7 = + intercostals, + diaphragm (normal breathing)

Why is it important to monitor tidal volume and rate when ventilating a patient?

To ensure adequate breathing, especially if a patient can only inhale small amounts.

What is a closed chest injury?

An injury where the skin is not broken, generally caused by blunt trauma.

What is an open chest injury?

An injury caused by penetrating trauma where the skin is externally broken.

What are signs and symptoms of chest injury?

Slow onset, significant contusions, hypoxia, shock, localized pain, bruising, dyspnea, and low oxygen saturation.

What is a pneumothorax?

A condition where air enters through a hole in the chest wall or lung surface, causing lung collapse.

What is an open pneumothorax?

An open or penetrating wound to the chest wall.

What are the signs and symptoms of open pneumothorax?

Sucking sound during inhalation and rushing air sound during exhalation.

What is the treatment for open pneumothorax?

Rapid transport, provide oxygen, seal the open wound with a vented chest seal.

What is a simple pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax that does not result in major changes in the patient's cardiac physiology.

What are the signs and symptoms of simple pneumothorax?

Decreased breath sounds, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and increased respiratory rate.

What is tension pneumothorax?

An accumulation of air in the pleural cavity that increases pressure and interferes with cardiac function.

call ALS to relieve pressure

What are the signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax?

Chest pain, tachycardia, respiratory distress, low oxygen saturation, and tracheal deviation, absent lung sounds, JVD

What is hemothorax?

Blood collection in the pleural space from bleeding around the rib cage or from a lung.

What are the signs and symptoms of hemothorax?

Signs of shock without external bleeding and decreased breath sounds.

What is a hemopneumothorax?

The presence of blood and air in the pleural space.

What is cardiac tamponade?

Blood or fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac around the heart.

What are the signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade?

Beck's triad: JVD, narrowing pulse pressure, low blood pressure, muffled heart sounds

What is the treatment for cardiac tamponade?

Supportive care, oxygen, and rapid transport.

What are rib fractures?

Fractures in the ribs, common in older individuals.

What are the signs and symptoms of rib fractures?

Localized tenderness, pain when breathing, rapid and shallow breathing.

What is flail chest?

When two or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places.

What are the signs and symptoms of flail chest?

Paradoxical motion, painful breathing, and low oxygen levels.

What is pulmonary contusion?

Injury or bruising of the lung resulting in hemorrhage.

What is traumatic asphyxia?

Injuries caused by severe force applied to the chest, forcing blood back into the head and neck.

What are the signs and symptoms of traumatic asphyxia?

Distended neck veins, cyanosis in the face and neck, and hemorrhage into the sclera.

What is myocardial contusion?

Bruising of the heart muscle.

What is commotio cordis?

A blunt chest injury caused by a sudden blow to the chest over the heart.

What is the mechanism of injury for commotio cordis?

A sudden blow to the chest during a critical portion of the heartbeat.

What are the signs and symptoms of commotio cordis?

VFIB, possible unconsciousness, signs of cardiac arrest.

What is the treatment for commotio cordis?

CPR+ AED

What organs are in the right upper quadrant (RUQ)?

Gallbladder, duodenum, majority of the liver, small portion of the pancreas.

What organs are in the left upper quadrant (LUQ)?

Spleen, stomach, larger portion of the pancreas.

What organs are in the left lower quadrant (LLQ)?

Portions of the large and small intestines, the descending colon.

What organs are in the right lower quadrant (RLQ)?

Large portions of the large and small intestines, appendix, ascending colon, right half of the transverse colon.

What is a hollow organ?

Structures through which materials pass, such as the stomach and intestines.

What is the peritoneum?

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs.

What is the peritoneal cavity?

The abdominal cavity important for patient treatment.

What is peritonitis?

Irritation of the peritoneum, which can be life-threatening.

What does the mesentery refer to?

Folds of tissue attaching organs to the body wall, mainly the intestinal mesentery

full of blood vessels that keep the intestines alive and in place

What is a solid organ?

Solid masses of tissue where chemical work of the body occurs.

What is the retroperitoneal cavity?

The space located posterior to the peritoneal cavity, housing the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder.

What are special considerations for assessing geriatric patients with abdominal trauma?

High suspicion for internal bleeding due to loss of organ elasticity and brittle bones.

What are common closed abdominal injuries?

Hematoma, contusion, lumbar spine fracture, displaced urinary bladder, ecchymosis, liver laceration.

What are common open abdominal injuries?

Cavitation, protruding organs, herniation.

What is evisceration?

Displacement of organs outside the body.

What are examples of hollow organ injuries?

Spilled contents, popped organs.

What are examples of solid organ injuries?

Penetrated kidney, ruptured diaphragm, fractured liver, impacted kidney.

What are the primary assessment steps for abdominal injuries?

General impression, identify life threats, check for shock, scan body if critical.

What is referred pain?

Pain originating from different body parts due to interconnecting sensory neurons.

What is guarding?

Conscious or unconscious protection of an injured area.

What are the secondary assessment steps for abdominal injuries?

Protect dignity, transport in preferred position, alleviate pressure, expose injuries.

What are the general treatments for closed abdominal injuries?

Treat for shock, protect airway, consider ventilation, keep warm.

What are the general treatments for open abdominal injuries?

don’t try to put things back inside the body, provide a moist sterile dressing and possibly a trauma dressing

What should you do in case of evisceration?

Do not push organs back; cover with a sterile moistened dressing.

What are the organs of the urinary system?

Kidneys (solid), ureters (hollow), urinary bladder (hollow), urethra (hollow).

What are the signs and symptoms of kidney injuries?

Significant MOI, signs of shock, hematuria.

What is the treatment for urinary bladder injuries?

Treat for shock, control bleeding, transport.

What are the general rules for treating male genitalia injuries?

Make patient comfortable, cover abrasions, apply direct pressure, do not remove objects.

What should you do for a penile fracture?

Control bleeding and ensure rapid transport.

What is the treatment for scrotal avulsion?

Preserve avulsed skin, control bleeding, transport.

What are the signs of rectal bleeding?

Bloodstains or bloody stools, may indicate trauma.

What are guidelines for treating sexual assault victims?

Do not examine unless necessary, observe precautions, provide privacy and support.

What should a SA patient avoid until after proper examination?

Washing, bathing, showering, douching, urinating, or defecating.

How can anxiety be reduced for a patient?

Have the EMT care for the patient of the same gender if possible.

What are the four factors that affect how a person deals with exposure to extreme temperatures?

Physical condition, age, nutrition and hydration, environmental conditions.

What is conduction in terms of heat loss?

The transfer of heat from part of the body to a colder object or substance by direct contact.

What is convection in terms of heat transfer?

Heat transfer to circulating air, gained if the air is warmer and lost if the air is colder.

What is evaporation in the context of body temperature?

The conversion of liquid to gas, which cools the body through sweating.

What is radiation in terms of heat loss?

The transfer of heat by radiant energy, causing heat loss in cold environments.

How does respiration affect body heat?

Warm air is exhaled and cooler air is inhaled, affecting body temperature.

What are the signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia?

Shivering, rapid pulse and respirations, bluish lips or fingertips.

What is the treatment for mild hypothermia?

Supportive care and keeping the patient warm.

What are the signs and symptoms of moderate hypothermia?

Loss of coordination, muscle stiffness, slow respirations, and slow pulse.

What is the treatment for moderate hypothermia?

Provide active warming like hot packs in the armpits and groin

prevent further heat loss

What are the signs and symptoms of severe hypothermia?

Coma, weak pulse, very slow respirations, unresponsive.

What is the treatment for severe hypothermia?

Prevent further heat loss, cover with blankets, and transport.

What are the signs and symptoms of apparent death due to hypothermia?

Cardiac arrest and unresponsive.

very low pulse and respiration

What is the treatment for apparent death from hypothermia?

Continue treatment unless it is obvious the patient is dead.

What are the signs and symptoms of frostnip?

Usually painless, pale skin, cold to the touch.

What is the treatment for frostnip?

Transport and try to keep warm.

What are the signs and symptoms of immersion foot?

Pale, cold skin; loss of feeling and sensation.

What is the treatment for immersion foot?

Supportive care, keep warm, and transport.