Emergency Care: Soft-Tissue Trauma

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on soft tissue trauma, including classifications, treatments, and specific types of wounds.

What are the major functions of the skin?

Protection, water balance, temperature regulation, excretion, and shock absorption.

What are the classifications of wounds?

Wounds can be classified as closed or open.

What is a contusion?

A contusion is a bruise.

What distinguishes a hematoma from a contusion?

A hematoma is similar to a contusion but involves more tissue damage and larger blood vessels.

What kind of injuries can occur from closed wounds?

Closed wounds can result in internal injuries without an external pathway, potentially leading to severe internal bleeding.

What should be assessed in a patient with a closed wound?

Bruising may indicate internal injuries or bleeding, and the mechanism of injury must be considered.

What is the first step in patient care for closed wounds?

Take appropriate standard precautions and manage airway, breathing, and circulation.

What types of open wounds are there?

Abrasions, lacerations, penetrating trauma, punctures, avulsions, amputations, open crush injuries, bite wounds, and blast injuries.

How do you treat a penetrating trauma?

Use caution with embedded objects, check for exit wounds, assess the need for basic life support, and transport the patient.

What is the rule of nines used for?

It helps estimate the extent of burn area for adults.

What is a partial thickness burn?

A partial thickness burn (2nd degree) damages the epidermis and part of the dermis, resulting in deep pain and blisters.

How should chemical burns be treated?

Wash away chemicals with flowing water and apply sterile dressings.

What is the goal of dressing and bandaging wounds?

To control bleeding and prevent infection.

What should be done if an object is impaled in the cheek?

If the perforation is visible, remove the object; otherwise, leave it in place and monitor the airway.

What are the signs of a full thickness burn?

Blackened areas or dry and white patches indicating all layers of skin are burned.

What is the appropriate response for electrical injuries?

Provide airway and breathing care, basic cardiac life support, and evaluate burn sites.

How are bandages applied to open wounds?

Bandages should hold dressings in place without being too tight or too loose, ensuring no distal skin color changes are obscured.