Tag: patient assessment
- Assessing A Patient With Labor Contractions ()
Initial management of the patient will be guided by the primary survey. Generally, obstetric patients are conscious and able to communicate their problems with EMS. In order to get to the problem, a focused history and physical exam will be completed. The focused history and physical exam answers the question, “why am I here?” Despite […]
- Injuries To The Spine ()
The problem with fractures to the spinal column The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and forms the lower half of the central nervous system. An injury to the spinal cord offers the same level of catastrophic outcome as a head injury. The spinal cord is made of the same materials as the […]
- Injuries To The Brain & Skull ()
Everyone has bumped their head before. Often, the injury is minor because the skull is hard and it protects the brain. But other head injuries can be more severe, such as a skull fracture, concussion, or traumatic brain injury. The most severe head injuries have no evidence of external trauma Head injuries can be open or closed. […]
- Dressings & Bandages ()
Function of dressings A dressing can have a number of purposes, depending on the type, severity and position of the wound, although all purposes are focused on promoting recovery and protecting from further harm. Key purposes of a dressing are: Control bleeding – to help to seal the wound to expedite the clotting process; Protection from contamination – to defend […]
- Prehospital Burn Care ()
Expose the burn The wound must be exposed by removing all clothing from the patient. When melted clothing has adhered to the skin, cut the and remove the clothing from around the affected area. If clothing is not removed from the patient, it will stick to the patient’s burn. Cover with large dry loosely packed […]
- Burns ()
Burns are one of the most common household injuries, especially among children. The term “burn” means more than the burning sensation associated with this injury. Burns are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die. Most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and […]
- Wounds That Bleed ()
Abrasion An abrasion is a partial thickness wound caused by damage to the skin and can be superficial involving only the epidermis to deep, involving the deep dermis. Abrasions usually involve minimal bleeding. Mild abrasions, also known as grazes or scrapes, do not scar or bleed because the dermis is left intact, but deep abrasions that disrupt the normal dermal structures may lead to the formation […]
- Dislocations ()
A dislocation occurs when two bones separate at their joint. The injury is extremely painful and can be difficult to distinguish between a fracture sometimes. A dislocation will need to be immobilized in the position found due to the fact that the dislocation generally locks the extremity in whatever position the medics find it. Sometimes […]
- Long Bone Fractures ()
Isolated fractures are not usually life-threatening; however fractures of the pelvic bones or femurs may result in serious blood loss. Fractures are typically classified as open or closed: Open fracture – bone that is broken and a break in the continuity of the skin has occurred either as a result of the broken bone ends […]
- Abdominal Evisceration ()
An abdominal evisceration is an open abdominal injury with organs protruding through the wound. Never replace the organs and cover with a thick moist dressing. Even better is a thick, moist, and occlusive dressing. A large multi trauma dressing is opened, the dressing is moistened on one side and covers the eviscerated organs. A large […]