PHTLS Class Lecture (Attempt) Flashcards
PHTLS GOAL
To improve PT outcomes by reducing mortality, treating injuries and minimizing damage resulting from trauma.
What two things may occur with large volume resuscitation with normal saline?
Hyperchloremia and metabolic acidosis.
Normal saline carries a pH of 5.5
PHTLS philosophy
Prehospital care practitioners must possess and apply critical thinking skills to rapidly make and carry out decisions that will enhance the survival of trauma PTs
A principle is
A principle is the basis for maximizing a patient’s chance of survival
A preference is
How the principle is implemented
Preferences may change depending on:
-Situation
-Patient Severity
-Prehospital care practitioner knowledge and skills
-Available resources
Assessment Concepts
Time Sensitivity of critical injuries
Identify PT acuity and transport to most appropriate facility
Need for systematic assessment to identify injuries order of priority and initiate management during assessment as required.
Reasons to upgrade airway:
Airway protection
Respiratory Failure
Expected course
Primary Brain Injury is
an injury that occurs at the time of the mechanism and results in mechanical injury.
Secondary Brain Injury is
caused by the physiologic response to the primary injury:
-injuries to structures that were not originally harmed by the primary injury.
Preventing secondary injury is
the primary focus for the prehospital practitioner managing traumatic brain injured PTs
Epidural Hematoma
Occurs above the Dura & moves side to side. Causes mass effect
Subdural hematoma
subarachnoid hemorrhage
hypotension in a patient with TBI is a Bad thing!
Signs of Herniation
-Dilated Pupil
-Weakness on one side of the body
-Babinski Reflex
-Abnormal Posturing
-Cushing reflex leads to Cushing’s Triad