First Aid and Minor Injuries Flashcards
What is the NMC code when an emergency arises?
- 15.1 only act in an emergency within the limits of your knowledge and competence
- 15.2 arrange, wherever possible, for emergency care to be accessed and provided promptly
- 15.3 take account for your own safety, the safety of others and the availability of other options for providing care
- The NMC has published guidance for nurses and midwives on responding to unexpected incidents due to the recent terror attacks
What are the first aid priorities?
- Assess a situation quickly and calmly
- Protect yourself and any casualties from danger
- Prevent cross infection
- Comfort and reassure casualties
- Assess the casualties (primary and secondary surveys)
- Give early treatment and treat the casualties with the most serious (life-threatening) conditions first
- Arrange for appropriate help
What is the primary survey in first aid?
- Ensure a safe approach
- Assess for responsiveness then take appropriate action depending on findings, for e.g shout for help, open airways, assess breathing, telephone 999, perform emergency first aid, as required such as basic life support
A: Airways B: Breathing C: Circulation D: Disability E: Exposure
What is the purpose of risk management?
- To prevent further harm, do not move the casualty unless necessary
- If the person deteriorates, re-start the assessment process at Airway
- To prevent further distress and accusations of inappropriate behaviour, explain action, and if possible, obtain consent
- Consider asking a bystander to witness actions taken, e.g removing jewellery and placing on other hand of casualty when unable to do so themselves
What is shock?
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Many organs can be damaged as a result. Shock requires emergency treatment and can get worse very rapidly. As many as 1 in 5 people who suffer shock will die from it.
What are the main types of shock?
- Cardiogenic shock (due to heart problems)
- Hypovolemic shock (caused by too little blood volume)
- Anaphylactic shock (caused by allergic reaction)
- Septic shock (due to infection)
- Neurogenic shock (caused by damage to the nervous system)
What are the signs of hypovolemic shock?
- Tachycardia- rapid heartbeat
- Tachypneoa- quick shallow, breathing
- Feeling weak
- Reduced energy
- Confusion or wooziness
- Reduced urine output
- Hypotension
- Cool, clammy skin
What are minor injuries?
These are by definition non-life threatening injuries or illnesses.
What can minor injuries units treat?
- Sprains/ strains
- Some fractures
- Wound infections
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor head injuries
- Bites and stings
- Minor eye injuries/ conditions
- Minor back, shoulder and chest injury
What is a strain?
A strains is caused by over stretching or tearing the tendons or muscles that support a joint. Most are minor but some may need surgical repair.
What is a sprain?
A sprain is caused by over stretching or tearing of the ligaments which are the strong fibrous bands that hod the joint together.
What is does a ligament do?
Connect bone to bone
What does a tendon do?
Connects muscle to bone
What is a bruise?
Bruises occur when a muscle, tendon or ligament sustains a blow forceful enough to injure the capillary network under the skin.
What is a fracture?
A fracture is a break in the continuity of the bone. Types of fractures are simple fracture, comminuted fracture and open fracture.
