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Key Points Shock and Trauma

The document outlines critical care guidelines for various emergency situations, including head and neck injuries, near drowning, hypothermia, and heatstroke. It emphasizes the importance of proper patient handling to avoid further injury, the application of the Good Samaritan Law, and specific interventions for conditions like arterial bleeding and evisceration. Key prevention strategies and symptoms for each condition are also highlighted.

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4 views2 pages

Key Points Shock and Trauma

The document outlines critical care guidelines for various emergency situations, including head and neck injuries, near drowning, hypothermia, and heatstroke. It emphasizes the importance of proper patient handling to avoid further injury, the application of the Good Samaritan Law, and specific interventions for conditions like arterial bleeding and evisceration. Key prevention strategies and symptoms for each condition are also highlighted.

Uploaded by

ashleycathey5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Key Points

Shock and Trauma

Head & Neck Injury: Care should be taken to avoid movement of the patient and increasing injury to the
spinal cord. Pulling or moving the patient may cause further injury to the spine. CPR is not indicated if
the patient is not experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest.

Near drowning patient who is semi-conscious: The patient who is breathing should be placed in the
recovery position to allow the patient to vomit out water without danger of aspiration. CPR is not
indicated if the patient is not experiencing the absence of cardiopulmonary activity. Lying supine or
prone will not prevent aspiration in the event of vomiting.

Memory Prompt: ABCDE, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability/defib, Exposure.

The Good Samaritan Law is designed to protect passersby who render first aid so they will not be held
liable for the outcome of emergency care. Individuals who choose to render care will be held to the
standard consistent with their training.

Moving an automobile accident victim may become necessary if there is pooled gasoline, oncoming
traffic, submersion in snow, or exposure to hot pavement.

Hypothermia: Shivering is a homeostatic activity that generates heat and increases body temperature.
Lactic acid in the blood that was pooled in the extremities while being exposed to cold will shunt back to
the heart through systemic perfusion as the warming process becomes effective. The lactic acid can
cause arrhythmias. Cessation of shivering indicates that the body’s homeostatic response to generate
heat has ceased and the patient’s condition is deteriorating.

Older adults are prone to hypothermia: because they eat less, have less subcutaneous fat, have a lower
metabolism, have atherosclerosis, and generally less active.

Options helpful in the prevention of hypothermia: wearing multiple layers of clothing, wearing a snug-
fitting hat, moving about briskly, drinking warm fluids from thermos, wearing gloves and earmuffs.

Heatstroke may cause an alteration in neurologic function. Other symptoms include visual disturbances,
dizziness, nausea, and a weak, rapid, irregular pulse.

To avoid heat stroke: drink plenty of fluids. Liquids should be nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated, and low
sugar as liquids with alcohol, caffeine, and sugar increase dehydration. Light-colored clothing should be
worn as dark colors absorb heat.

Arterial bleed: Compression of the artery is the best initial move, followed by compression with dressing
and elevation.

Respiratory distress: gasping, wheezing, stridor, choking.

Evisceration interventions: Covering evisceration with a non-adhesive covering will keep the bowel
moist. Attempts to return the bowel into the abdomen may result in further injury.
Sucking chest wound: The flutter dressing will allow the air to leave the pleural space, but not allow any
more air in. The collapsed lung will begin to re-expand.

Cullen’s sign refers to a bluish tinge around the umbilicus. It may be noted in the presence of internal
abdominal hemorrhage.

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