Trauma Ch. 25

Arterial Air Embolism

Air bubbles in the arterial blood vessels.

Coup-contrecoup brain injury

A brain injury that occurs when force is applied to the head and energy transmission through brain tissue causes injury on the opposite side of original impact.

Glasgow coma scale (GCS)

An evaluation tool used to determine level of consciousness, which evaluates and assigns point values (scores) for eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, which are then totaled; effective in helping predict patient outcomes.

-Measures level of consciousness (>9 = severe).

Index of suspicion

Awareness that unseen life-threatening injuries may exist when determining the mechanism of injury.

kinetic energy

energy of motion

mechanism of injury

The forces, or energy transmission, applied to the body that cause injury.

penetrating trauma

injury caused by an objects, such as knives and bullets, that pierce the surface of the body and damage internal tissues and organs

pulmonary blast injuries

Pulmonary trauma resulting from short-range exposure to the detonation of explosives.

revised trauma score

A scoring system used for patients with head trauma.

trauma score

A score calculated from 1 to 16, with 16 being the best possible score. It relates to the likelihood of patient survival with the exception of a severe head injury. It takes into account the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, respiratory rate, respiratory expansion, systolic blood pressure, and capillary refill.

tympanic membrane

The eardrum; a thin, semi-transparent membrane in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations to the internal ear by means of auditory ossicles.

work

force x distance

Trauma Emergencies

Physical forces applied to the body causing injury.

Mechanism of Injury (MOI)

The way traumatic injuries occur and the forces involved.

Index of Suspicion

Awareness of potential unseen injuries based on MOI.

Blunt Trauma

Injury caused without penetration of soft tissues or organs.

Penetrating Trauma

Injury caused by objects that pierce the body's surface.

Three Collisions in a Crash

Vehicle vs. Object, Passenger vs. Interior of Vehicle, Internal Organs vs. Body Structures.

Common Injuries

Lower extremity fractures, rib fractures, head trauma.

Ejection from Vehicle

Considered a severe injury mechanism.

Significant Fall

More than 20 feet (consider height, surface, and body impact point).

Osteoporosis

Weakened bones, increasing fracture risk in older adults.

Fragmentation

Frangible bullets break into pieces, increasing injury severity.

Cavitation

Additional tissue damage beyond the direct path of the object.

Temporary Cavitation

Tissue stretches due to kinetic energy.

Permanent Cavitation

Actual wound path left by the object.

Primary Blast Injury

Due to blast wave; affects hollow organs.

Secondary Blast Injury

Caused by flying debris (shrapnel, glass).

Tertiary Blast Injury

Caused by the body being thrown into objects.

Quaternary Blast Injury

Burns, inhalation injuries, crush injuries, etc.

Blunt/Penetrating Trauma to Neck

Noisy breathing, low SpO2, weak pulse.

Chest Trauma

Shortness of breath, JVD, asymmetric chest rise.

Head Trauma

Altered LOC, amnesia, combativeness, pupil changes.

Spinal Injury

Neck/back pain, tingling, weak/slow pulse.

Hollow Organs

Middle ear, lungs, GI tract (pressure-sensitive).

Pulmonary Blast Injury

Lung damage from blast pressure.

Arterial Air Embolism

Air enters circulation, blocking blood flow.

Multisystem Trauma

Trauma affecting more than one body system.

Platinum 10 Minutes

Critical patients should be on the way to the hospital within 10 minutes.

Level I Trauma Center

Full trauma care (major cities).

Level II Trauma Center

Comprehensive care but not as extensive as Level I.

Level III Trauma Center

Stabilization and emergency care, transfers to higher levels.

Level IV Trauma Center

Basic trauma care, mainly for transport.

DCAP-BTLS

Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.