Chapter 30: Soft-Tissue Trauma

Flashcards covering the types, assessment, and treatment of soft-tissue injuries, including burns and various open and closed wounds.

Soft Tissues

The tissues of the body including skin, fatty tissues, muscles, blood vessels, connective tissues, membranes, glands, and nerves.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Dermis

The layer of skin below the epidermis, rich in blood vessels and nerves.

Subcutaneous layers

The layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis.

Closed Wound

Internal injuries with no pathway from the outside to the injured site, where the skin remains unbroken.

Contusion

A bruise; a type of closed wound.

Hematoma

A closed wound similar to a contusion but involving more tissue damage and larger blood vessels.

Closed Crush Injury

An injury where force is transmitted from the exterior to internal structures, potentially rupturing solid organs (causing shock) or hollow organs (causing leakage into body cavities).

Open Wound

An injury in which the skin is interrupted, exposing the tissues below.

Abrasion

A type of open wound produced by scraping or rubbing of the skin.

Laceration

A type of open wound characterized by a cut or tear in the skin.

Avulsion

An injury where skin or soft tissue is torn completely loose or remains hanging as a flap.

Amputation

The traumatic removal of a body part, such as a finger, toe, or limb.

Superficial Burn (1st Degree)

A burn involving only the epidermis, characterized by reddening and minor swelling.

Partial Thickness Burn (2nd Degree)

A burn where the epidermis is burned through and the dermis is damaged, causing deep pain, blisters, and mottling.

Full Thickness Burn (3rd Degree)

A burn in which all layers of the skin are damaged, characterized by blackened areas or dry, white patches.

Rule of Nines

A method for estimating the extent of a burn area by dividing the adult body into 11 main areas, each representing $9\%$ of the body surface.

Rule of Palm

A method to estimate burn extent where the patient's palm and fingers represent approximately $1\%$ of the body surface area.

Dressing

Any material applied directly to a wound to control bleeding and prevent contamination.

Bandage

Any material used to hold a dressing in place.

Universal Dressing

A large dressing used for profuse bleeding or covering large wounds.

Pressure Dressing

A dressing used specifically to control bleeding.

Occlusive Dressing

A dressing used to form an airtight seal for wounds to the abdomen, large neck veins, or open chest wounds.

Radiation Burn

An injury caused by exposure to high levels of radiation, which typically presents like a thermal injury but requires specialized decontamination.