CH 36 Multisystem Trauma and Special Patient Populations

Vocabulary terms and clinical definitions related to multisystem trauma management and considerations for pregnant, pediatric, geriatric, and cognitively impaired patients.

Multisystem trauma

A condition where more than one major body system is involved in an injury.

Position

The location where an object is placed or moved.

Displacement

A change in the position of an object.

Velocity

The speed of an object or a system in a specified direction.

Acceleration

The amount of change of velocity with respect to time.

Abruptio placentae

The premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

Supine hypotensive syndrome

A condition caused by the weight of the uterus compressing the Inferior Vena Cava when a pregnant patient is supine; prevented by tilting the spine board to the left.

Greenstick fracture

A type of fracture common in pediatric patients because their bones are more malleable than adult bones.

Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)

An assessment tool used to form a general impression of a child by evaluating appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.

PALS assessment

A pediatric assessment method that focuses on consciousness, breathing, and color.

Stridor or gurgling

Audible clinical signs in pediatric patients that indicate a possible upper airway obstruction.

Jaw-thrust maneuver

The specific technique used to establish and maintain an airway in a trauma patient while suspecting spinal injury.

Maternal physiological changes

Changes in late pregnancy including a blood volume increase of $50$ percent and a heart rate increase of $10$ to $15$ beats-per-minute.

Pediatric spinal immobilization (under $8$ years old)

The process of placing padding beneath the child from the shoulders to the hips to prevent neck flexion.

SpO2 target

The oxygen saturation level that should be maintained at $\ge 95\%$ for trauma patients.

Reassessment frequency

The interval of every $5$ minutes at which vital signs should be reassessed for multisystem trauma patients.