CH25: Trauma Overview

When does Traumatic injury occur?

When bodily tissue is exposed to energy levels beyond their tolerance

3 concepts of energy involved with traumatic injury

Potential, Kinetic, and the energy of ‘work’

Energy Concept: Work

The transferring of energy from one mass to another through force

Multi-system Trauma

Trauma that affects more than 1 body system

Blunt Trauma

The result of force to the body that causes injury without penetrating past the soft tissues.

Penetrating Trauma

The result of force that pierces bodily tissue. Can result in hidden internal injuries.

Motor Vehicle Classifications

Frontal, Rear-end, lateral, roll over, rotational

What are the 3 Collisions in a car crash

1. Car — Car/Object

2. Car/Object — Patient

3. Patient internal organs — body structure

Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury

When force is applied to the head which causes injury to the anterior portion of the brain, and then additional injury at the posterior portion of the brain (due to stretching/tension)

Cavitation (Injury)

Distant injuries from pressure waves caused by bullet penetration in the body.

Pulmonary Blast Injuries

Hemorrhages and contusions of the lungs caused by primary blasts. Usually have no external indications of trauma.

S/S: Chest Pain, Chest Tightness, coughing blood, tachypnea, subcutaneous emphysema(can be palpated resulting in crackles)

Arterial Air Embolism

When air bubbles enter the arterial blood vessels