EMT Emergency Care 14th Edition Module #5: Chapters 29-35

Arterial bleeding

Bleeding from an artery, which is characterized by bright red blood that is rapid, profuse, and difficult to control

capillary bleeding

bleeding from capillaries, which is characterized by a slow, oozing flow of blood

cardiogenic shock

Shock, or lack of perfusion, brought on not by blood loss, but by inadequate pumping action of the heart. It is often the result of a heart attack or congestive heart failure.

compensated shock

when the patient is developing shock but the body is still able to maintain perfusion

decompenstated shock

when the body can no longer compensate for low blood volume, or lack of perfusion. Late signs such as decreasing blood pressure become evident.

distributive shock

hypo perfusion due to a lack of blood vessel tone. Blood vessel dilation leads to decreased pressure within the circulatory system

hemorrhage

bleeding

hemorrhagic shock

shock resulting from blood loss

hemostatic agents

substances applied as powders, dressings, gauze, or bandages to open wounds to stop bleeding

hypoperfusion

the body's inability to adequately circulate blood to the body's cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients

hypovolemic shock

shock resulting from blood or fluid loss

Neurogenic shock occurs when

hypoperfusion caused by spinal cord injury that results in systemic vasodilation

obstructive shock

a term commonly used to describe the different conditions that block the flow of blood and cause hypoperfusion

perfusion

the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the body's cells and tissues as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries

pressure dressing

a bulky dressing held in position with a tightly wrapped bandage, which applies pressure to help control bleeding

shock

the body's inability to adequately circulate blood to the body's cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients, which is a life-threatening condition. Also known as hypoperfusion.

tourniquet

A device used for bleeding control that constricts all blood flow to and from an extremity.

venous bleeding

bleeding from a vein, which is characterized by dark red or maroon blood and a steady, easy-to-control flow.

abraison

a scratch or a scrape

amputation

the surgical removal or traumatic severing of a body part, usually an extremity

avulsion

the tearing away or tearing off of a piece or flap of skin or other soft tissue. This term also may be used for an eye pulled from its socket or a tooth dislodged from its socket.

bandage

any material used to hold a dressing in place

closed wound

an internal injury with no open pathway from the outside

contusion

The epidermis remains intact, but cells and blood vessels in the dermis are damaged, also called a bruise.

crush injury

an injury caused when force is transmitted from the body's exterior to its internal structures. Bones can be broken; muscles, nerves, and tissues damaged; and internal organs ruptured, causing internal bleeding.

dermis

the inner (second) layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis

dressing

any material (preferably sterile) used to cover a wound that will help control bleeding and prevent additional contamination.

epidermis

Outer layer of skin

full thickness burn

a burn in which all the layers of the skin are damaged. There are usually areas that are charred black or areas that are dry and white. Also called a third-degree burn. Also typically no pain response left due to damage to the nerves.

hematoma

a swelling caused by the collection of blood under the skin or in damaged tissues as a result of an injured or broken blood vessel

laceration

a cut, may be smooth or jagged

occlusive dressing

any dressing that forms and airtight seal

open wound

an injury in which the skin is interrupted, exposing the tissue beneath

partial thickness burn

a burn involving the epidermis and dermis that usually involves blisters; commonly called a second-degree burn

puncture wound

an open wound that tears through the skin and destroys underlying tissues. A penetrating puncture wound can be shallow or deep. A perforating puncture wound has both an entrance and an exit wound.

rule of nines

A method for estimating the extent of a burn.

rule of palm

a method for estimating the extent of a burn. The palm of the patient's own hand, which equals about 1 percent of the body's surface area, is compared with the patient's burn to estimate its size.

subcutaneous layer

the layer of fat and connective tissues below the dermis of the skin

superficial burn

a burn that involves only the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. It is characterized by reddening of the skin and perhaps some swelling. An example is a sunburn. Also called a first-degree burn.

universal dressing

a bulky dressing

Evisceration

an intestine or other internal organ protruding through a wound in the abdomen

Flail chest

Fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places that allows for free movement of the fractured segment

paradoxical movement

movement of ribs in a flail segment that is opposite to the direction of movement of the rest of the chest cavity

pneumothorax

air in the chest cavity

sucking chest wound

an open chest wound in which air is "sucked" into the chest cavity

tension pneumothorax

a type of pneumothorax in which air that enters the chest cavity is prevented from escaping

Angulated fracture

fracture in which the broken bone segments are at an angle to each other

bones

hard but flexible living structures that provide support for the body and protection to vital organs

cartilage

tough tissue that covers the joint ends of bones and helps to form certain body parts such as the ear

closed extremity injury

an injury to an extremity with no associated opening in the skin

comminuted fracture

a fracture in which the bone is broken in several places

compartment syndrome

injury caused when tissues such as blood vessels and nerves are constricted within a space as from swelling or from a tight dressing or cast

Crepitus

A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together; also air bubbles under the skin that produce a crackling sound or crinkly feeling.

dislocation

the disruption or "coming apart" of a joint

extermities

the portions of the skeleton that include the clavicles, scapulae, arms, wrist, and hands. as well sa teh pelvis, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet

fracture

any break in a bone

greenstick fracture

an incomplete fracture

joints

places where bones articulate or meet

ligaments

tissues that connect bone to bone

manual traction

the process of applying tension to straighten and realign a fractured limb before splinting. Also called tension

muscles

tissues or fibers that cause movement of body parts and organs

open extremity injury

an extremity injury in which the skin has been broken or torn through from the inside by an injured bone or from the outside by something that has caused a penetrating wound with associated injury to the bone

sprain

stretching or tearing of ligaments

strain

muscle injury resulting from overstretching or overexertion of the muscle

tendons

tissues that connect muscle to bone

traction splint

a splint that applies constant pull along the length of a lower extremity to help stabilize the fractured bone and to reduce muscle spasm in the limb. Traction splints are used primarily on femoral shaft fractures.

air embolism

a bubble of air in the bloodstream

ataxic respirations

a pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing commonly caused by brain injury

autonomic nervous system

controls involuntary functions

central nervous system

the brain and spinal chord

Central neurogenic hyperventilation

a pattern of rapid and deep breathing caused by injury to the brain

Cheyne-Stokes breathing

a distinct pattern of breathing characterized by quickening and deepening respirations followed by a period of apnea

concussion

mild closed head injury without detectable damage to the brain. Complete recovery is usually expected.

Brain contusion

in brain injuries, a bruised brain caused when the force of a blow to the head is great enough to rupture blood vessels

cranium

the bony structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skull

dermatome

an area of the skin that is innervated by a single spinal nerve

foramen magnum

the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes from the brain

hematoma in head injuries

a collection of blood within the skull or brain

herniation

pushing of a portion of the brain downward toward the foramen magnum as a result of increased intracranial pressure

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

pressure inside the skull

laceration (brain injury)

in brain injuries, a cut to the brain

malar

the cheekbone, also called the zygomatic bone

mandible

the lower jawbone

maxillae

the two fused bones forming the upper jaw

nasal bones

the bones that form the upper third or bridge of the nose

nervous system

provides overall control of thought, sensation, and the body's voluntary and involuntary motor functions. The components of the nervous system are the brain and spinal cord, as well as the nerves that enter and exit the brain and spinal cord and extend to the various parts of the body

neurogenic shock

a state of shock (hypoperfusion) caused by nerve paralysis that sometimes develops from spinal cord injuries

orbits

the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets

peripheral nervous system

the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord and all the body's other motor and sensory nerves

pulmonary air embolism

a blockage in the blood circulation of the lung caused by a blood clot or an air bubble

spinal motion restriction

limiting the movement of the spine to prevent additional injury

Spinious Process

the bony bump on the vertebrae

temporal bones

bones that form the part of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial cavity. There are right and left temporal bones

temporomandibular joint

the movable joint formed between the mandible and the temporal bone, also called the TMJ.

vertebrae

the bones of the spinal column

multiple trauma

more than one serious injury

multisystem trauma

one or more injuries that affect more than one body system

trauma score

a system of evaluation trauma patients according to a numerical rating system to determine the severity of the patients' trauma

Active rewarming

application of an external heat source to rewarm the body of a hypothermic patient

Arterial gas embolism

Gas bubble in the bloodstream. Also called an air embolism.