Trauma 1 Flashcards
(21 cards)
what is the trimodal distribution of deaths
immediate death (minutes) early deaths late deaths (weeks)
examples of immediate deaths
Severe brain or high spinal cord injury, ruptured heart or aorta – rapid exsanguination
examples of early deaths (within an hour)
Subdural and epidural hematomas, hemopneumothorax
major intraabdominal injuries
pelvic fractures
examples of late deaths
sepsis
multiple organ system dysfunction
severe head injury
what are the ABCDEs
Airway Breathign Circulation Disability- neuro status Exposure/ Environmental scale
lowest GCS you can have
3
highest GCS
14
things to assume w/ every trauma injury
Every patient has a c-spine injury until proven otherwise
Altered mental status is a head injury until proven otherwise
Hypotension is from hemorrhage until proven otherwise
Beware the snakes
A combative or agitated patient may be intoxicated, have a closed head injury, or may be what?
acutely hypoxic or hypotensive and trying to die!
______ will often have normal heart rates in the face of significant hypovolemia
Athletes
who may have “normal VS” despite significant blood loss?
pregnant women
does a “normal” c-spine x-ray clear the c-spine?
No, there is 1-15% risk of significant c-spine injuries w/ normal x-ray
what skull fracture do you need r/o before placing a NG tube
basilar skull fracture
what does AMPLE stand for?
Allergies Meds Past illnesses/ Preggo Last meal Events/ Environment related to the injury
should a trauma patient be unattended?
No- always go with them to x-ray or CT scanner
life threatening injuires that may not manifest right away
cardiac tamponade
tension pneumo
delayed aortic rupture
liver lac/ avulsions
another head-to-toe examination of the patient and review of the labs and x-rays obtained in the primary and secondary surveys to look for missed injuries
tertiary survey
Most missed injuries found on the tertiary survey are _________ and not life-threatening but may cause significant disability if not identified and treated
orthopedic
why do you do a prostate exam on a male w/ a potential pelvic fracture
feel for a high riding prostate- indicates a transection of the urethra
what is the most common cause of shock in the trauma patient?
hemorrhage
what is the dreaded triad of death?
Metabolic acidosis
Hypothermia
Coagulopathy
