Traumatic Emergencies - Venomous Marine Life Bites

contusion

It is an injury to the tissue and blood vessels contained within the dermis.

hematoma

Damage involved are the large blood vessels and tissues.

crush injury

A closed injury to cells and blood vessels contained within the dermis.

closed soft tissue injury (sti)

Contusion, hematoma and crush injury belongs to what kind of injury?

abrasion

An open injury to the epidermis caused by scraping, rubbing or shearing away of the tissue.

laceration

It is a break in the skin of varying depth caused by forceful impact with a sharp object.

linear laceration

Laceration that is smooth and regular.

stellate laceration

Laceration that is jagged and regular.

amputation

It is an open injury caused by the ripping or tearing away of a limb, body part or organ. It is common in industrial, agricultural, power tool or motor vehicle accidents.

penetration/punctures

It is an open injury caused by a sharp, pointed object being pushed into the soft tissues. Examples include gunshot and stab wounds.

impaled wounds

It is a type of injury wherein the object is still embedded in the wound.

avulsion

It is an open injury characterized by a loose flap or tissue that has been torn loose or pulled off. It is common in industrial or home machinery or motor vehicle accidents.

open soft tissue injury (sti)

Abrasion, laceration, amputation, penetration, impaled wounds, and avulsion belongs to what kind of injury?

cerebral concussion

It is the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a disturbance in brain function.

anterograde amnesia

Amnesia in which a person can recall previously formed memories but is unable to form new memories or retain new information. It can be temporary or permanent.

retrograde amnesia

Amnesia in which a person cannot remember memories and events that happened in the past. It is usually temporary in nature.

cerebral contusion

There is bruising or swelling of the brain that may be caused by increased ICP caused by coup-contrecoup injury.

coup-contrecoup injury

Damage may occur directly under the site of impact, or it may occur on the side opposite the impact.

point of impact and on the opposite side where the brain hits the skull

What are the two sites of injury in a coup-contrecoup injury?

subdural hematoma

There is collection of blood between the dura mater and arachnoid layer of the brain. It is associated with cerebral contusion

epidural hematoma

There is bleeding between the skull and dura associated with skull fracture.

battle's sign

Bruising behind the ears (mastoid ecchymosis), indicative of a temporal bone fracture.

raccoon's eyes

Bruising around the eyes (periorbital ecchymosis), indicative of a basal skull fracture.

motor vehicle crashes, falls, assaults/violence, sports, and recreation

What are the mechanisms of head injury?

pneumothorax

Condition in which positive air that pushes will push to affected lung and make it deviate to the opposite lung.

rib fractures, flail chest, pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade

What are the complications of chest injuries?

flail chest

A complication of chest injury in which the sternum is fractured along with several ribs and creates paradoxical movement.

tidaling

It is the fluctuation of ball/fluid level that corresponds to patient's breathing.

organs in abdomen are more relaxed

In cases of evisceration, why is the patient positioned supine with legs flexed up?

privacy and dignity

What is the priority of nurses when it comes to genitalia-related injuries?

lacerations, abrasions, amputation, contusions, fracture

What are common injuries to the male genitalia?

blunt trauma, sexual assaults, abortion attempts, laceration, foreign bodies

What are common injuries to the female genitalia?

sprain

It is a joint injury with tearing of ligaments.

strain

Is is stretching or tearing of a muscle.

dislocation

It is a disruption of a joint.

compartment syndrome

It is the compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle inside a closed space within the body.

c5, c6, c7, t12, l1

What the most common sites of spinal cord injuries?

compression

Mechanism of spinal cord injury in which the weight of the body is driven against the head.

flexion

Mechanism of spinal cord injury in which there is severe forward movement of the head.

extension

Mechanism of spinal cord injury in which there is severe backward movement and neck is stretched.

distraction

Mechanism of spinal cord injury in which the vertebrae and spinal cord are stretched and pulled apart.

human bites

It is the most infectious bite wound.

rabies, tetanus, infection, septicemia

What are the complications of animal bite wounds?

ra 9482

Anti-Rabies Act of 2007

envenomation

It is the injection of a poisonous material by sting, spine, bite, or other similar means.

histamine production is less

Why is it rare for an elderly person to have a severe anaphylactic reaction from a bee sting?

black widow and brown recluse spiders

These types of spiders are more poisonous than most and can cause a serious reaction.

to minimize circulation

Why a person with a snake bite is advised to minimize all activity?

hot water

In cases of sea urchin injuries, the injured area is immersed in?

calcium gluconate

This medication is used for the management of spider bites.

to decrease allergic response

Why is Diphenhydramine pre-medicated in cases of snake bites?

it can cause tissue damage

Why are cool compresses applied to snake bites, not ice?

learning through repetition, practice, and proper cues

How is anterograde amnesia treated?

by exposing lost memories

How is retrograde amnesia treated?

pad of dressing or a small pillow

In cases of flail chest, what should be used to immobilize the flail segment of the chest?

fasciotomy or fasciectomy

It is a surgical procedure used to treat compartment syndrome.

pain, paresthesia, pallor, paralysis, pulselessness

What are the 5 Ps used in the assessment of compartment syndrome?

1-3 months

How long does it take for rabies signs and symptoms to develop in humans?

vinegar

In jellyfish stings, this can be used to block the discharge of nematocysts.

acetic acid

In sea urchin injuries, this can be used to dissolve embedded spines.