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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
hypoperfusion
the body’s inability to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients
shock
the body’s inability to circulate blood adequately to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients, life threatening condition
4 problems that can cause shock
volume loss, pump failure, loss of blood vessel tone, obstruction of blood flow
hypovolemic shock
shock resulting from blood or fluid loss; respond with bleeding control and rapid transport
hemorrhagic shock
shock resulting from blood loss
arterial bleeding
bleeding from an artery, characterized by bright red blood that is rapid, profuse, and difficult to control
capillary bleeding
bleeding from capillaries, characterized by a slow, oozing flow of blood
cardiogenic shock
shock, or lack of perfusion, brought on not by blood loss but by the heart’s inadequate pumping action; often the result of heart attack or congestive heart failure; request ALS
compensated shock
patient is developing shock but the body is still able to maintain perfusion
decompensated shock
body can no longer compensate for low blood volume or lack of perfusion, late signs of shock become evident (e.g. decreasing blood pressure)
distributive shock
hypoperfusion due to a lack of blood vessel tone, blood vessel dilation leads to decreased pressure within the circulatory system
hemorrhage
bleeding, especially severe bleeding
hemostatic agents
substances applied as powders, dressings, gauze, or bandages, to open wounds to stop bleeding
neurogenic shock
hypoperfusion caused by a spinal cord injury that results in systemic vasodilation
obstructive shock
describes the different conditions that block the flow of blood and cause hypoperfusion
pressure dressing
bulky dressing held in position with a tightly wrapped bandage, applies pressure to help control bleeding
tourniquet
device used for bleeding control that constricts all blood flow to and from an extremity
venous bleeding
bleeding from a vein, characterized by dark red or maroon blood and steady, easier to control flow
anaphylactic shock
severe allergic reaction causes systemic vasodilation and massive drops in blood pressure; administer epinephrine
septic shock
body infection causes systemic inflammatory response, causes blood vessels to dilate and capillary membranes to become permeable; respond by notifying hospital and rapid transport
conditions that can cause obstructive shock
pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, a tension pneumothorax
compensation
steps the body takes to make up for hypoperfusion; regulation of volume, vasoconstriction, cardiopulmonary response
regulation of volume (compensation)
body takes immediate steps to regulate volume in the circulatory system, kidneys retain fluid
vasoconstriction (compensation)
narrowing of blood vessel diameter activated by epinephrine or norepinephrine, results in pale skin and delayed capillary refill time
cardiopulmonary response (compensation)
heart beats faster and harder, increased respiratory rate
assessing for shock (general)
can be difficult (especially in pediatric patients), look for compensatory signs (decreasing blood pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, mental status changes) and early signs of shock (anxiety, restlessness, pale skin), scan for massive hemorrhage and mental status, assume shock is present if any signs are present
indicators of decompensated shock
drop in blood pressure, severe mental status changes, bradycardia, irregular and slow respiratory patterns, muscle relaxation
irreversible shock
organ-system damage and death over time caused by shock (dysrhythmias, apnea, cardiac arrest), even if patient survives irreversible damage has been done
Airway and Breathing in assessing for shock
look for voice changes, wheezing and absent lung sounds on one side - keep airway open, low pulse and oximetry and hypoxia should be treated aggressively with supplemental oxygen, any patient with unexplained fast respiratory rate should be assumed to be in shock
Circulation in assessing for shock
look for pale skin, slow capillary refill time (may be inaccurate in adults), changes in heart rate (fast for compensation and slow for decompensation), narrowing of difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
signs of shock
altered mental status, pale cool and clammy skin, nausea and vomiting, vital sign changes, cyanosis around the lips and nail beds
deadly triad of trauma (conditions that contribute to mortality)
acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy
steps to treat shock
initiate transport to appropriate destination, prevent hypoxia, prevent heat loss, consider shock positioning (supine position), control bleeding, consider advanced life support
precautions with external hemorrhage
wear gloves, wear mask and protective eyewear if there’s a chance of splattered blood, wash hands after
assessing for massive external bleeding
will be easy to notice, look at the junctional areas, “feeling for the wet spots” on clothes, massive bleeding must be controlled immediately before proceeding through assessment, watch for signs of shock
controlling and caring for external bleeding
if bleeding is not massive treat airway and breathing steps first; in the case of massive bleeding apply direct pressure, hemostatic agents, wound packing, tourniquet, specialized compression devices for junctional bleeding (in order when appropriate)
direct pressure for bleeding control
apply firm pressure with the palm (don’t wait for a dressing in severe cases), hold until bleeding is controlled, don’t add layers, pressure dressing once controlled
wound packing for bleeding control
used when there is a cavity in the wound, only for extremities and junctional areas (not chest or abdomen), begin with direct pressure, fill void with hemostatic or traditional gauze and resume direct pressure
abrasion
scratch or scrape
amputation
surgical removal or traumatic severing of a body part, usually an extremity
avulsion
tearing away or tearing off of a piece or flap of skin or other soft tissue; also used for an eye or tooth pulled/dislodged from its socket
bandage
any material used to hold a dressing in place
closed wound
internal injury with no open pathway from the outside
contusion
bruise
crush injury
injury caused by force transmitted from the body’s exterior to its internal structures; bones break, muscles, nerves, and tissues are damaged causing internal bleeding, internal organs may be ruptured causing internal bleeding and food or urine to spread into abdominal cavities
dermis
inner (second) layer of the skin found beneath the epidermis, rich in blood vessels and nerves
dressing
material (preferably sterile) used to cover a wound that will help control bleeding and prevent additional contamination
epidermis
outer layer of the skin
full thickness burn
AKA third degree burn; burn in which all the layers of the skin are damaged, usually has areas that are charred black or dry and white
hematoma
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
occlusive dressing
any dressing that forms an airtight seal
open wound
injury in which the skin is interrupted, exposing the tissue beneath
partial thickness burn
AKA second degree burn; burn in which the epidermis is burned through and the dermis is damaged, causes reddening, blistering, and mottled appearance
puncture wound
open wound that tears through the skin and destroys underlying tissues; penetrating puncture wound can be shallow or deep; perforating puncture would has both an entrance and exit wound
rule of nines
method for estimating the extent of a burn; in adults, each are represents 9% of body surface: head and neck, each upper extremity, chest, abdomen, upper back, lower back and buttocks, front of each lower extremity, back of each lower extremity, genitals are 1%; in infants or children, 18% is to the head and 14% to each lower extremity
rule of palm
method for estimating the extent of a burn; the palm and fingers of the patients own hand (equal to 1% of body surface) are compared to the burn to estimate its size
superficial burn
AKA first degree burn; burn that involves only the epidermis, characterized by reddening of the skin and some swelling
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 motion
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
open chest wound in which air is “sucked” into the chest cavity
tension pneumothorax
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 (e.g. ear)
closed extremity injury
injury to an extremity with no associated opening in the skin
comminuted fracture
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
grating sensation or sound made when fractured bone ends rub together
dislocation
disruption or “coming apart” of a joint
extremities
portions of the skeleton that include the clavicles, scapulae, arms, wrists, and hands (upper extremities) and the pelvis, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet (lower extremities)
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
AKA tension; process of applying tension to straighten and realign a fractured limb before splinting
muscles
tissues or fibers that cause movement of body parts and organs
open extremity injury
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 and tearing of ligaments
strain
muscle injury resulting from overstretching or overexertion of the muscle
tendons
tissues that connect muscle to bone
traction splint
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, primarily used on femoral shaft fractures
air embolism
bubble of air in the bloodstream
ataxic respirations
pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing commonly caused by a brain injury
autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary functions
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
central neurogenic hyperventilation
pattern of rapid and deep breathing caused by injury to the brain
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
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 but effects may linger for weeks to years
contusion (brain injuries)
a bruised brain caused when the force of a blow to the head is great enough to rupture blood vessels
cranium
bony structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skull
dermatome
area of the skin that is innervated by a single spinal nerve
foramen magnum
opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes from the brain
hematoma (head injuries)
collection of blood within the skull or brain
herniation (brain)
pushing of a portion of the brain downward from the foramen magnum as a result of intracranial pressure