Chapter 19 Flashcards
What is another sword for epistaxis?
Nosebleed
Where do anterior nose bleeds usually occur?
Kiesselbach’s plexus or Little’s area
Group of blood vessels anterior to the septal wall and close to the mucosal surface
True or False
Posterior nosebleeds, which occur more often in the geriatric population, tend to be more difficult to manage.
True
Where do posterior nose bleeds usually occur?
Woodruff’s plexus
What are local factors that are etiologies of epistaxis?
allergies cocaine environmental irritants foreign bodies nasal sprays digital maniplation septal deviation perforation sinusitis trauma upper respiratory infections sneezing neoplasm
What are systemic factors that are etiologies of epistaxis?
anemia anticoagulant therapy arteriosclerosis blood dyscrasia (hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand's disease) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease osler-weber-rendu syndrome hypertension
What are some medications that are anticoagulants and can lead to epistaxis?
aspirin warfarin garlic ginseng ginkgo biloba NSAIDs ticlopidine dipyridamole
What are some signs and symptoms of epistaxis?
blood exuding from the nasal cavity
anterior region: usually ooze and be bright red
posterior portion: profuse bleeding, dark red, and often bilateral (can drain into mouth causing gagging, coughing, vomiting)
What is the treatment for epistaxis?
Identify mechanism of injury and define severity
CABs to check airway
Suction to remove blood from mouth to maintain airway
position patient upright
have patient apply pressure by pinching lower part of nose for 15-20 minutes
have a basin so patient can spit out all blood and saliva
True or False
Most nosebleeds will stop with direct pressure; however, if the bleeding does not stop, it could be a more serious condition and the patient should be referred to the emergency department
True
For what amount of time should pressure be applied for a nosebleed?
20 minutes
All of the following are useful recommendations to prevent a recurrence of epistaxis except one. Which one is the exception?
Using a dehumidifier in the home
Profuse bleeding of dark red blood out of both nostrils is indicative of which type of nosebleed?
Posterior
The most common site for epistaxis is
Kiesselbach’s plexus
The most common cause of epistaxis is
digital manipulation
