Trauma & Burns

Question 1

trauma primary survey

Answer 1

*life-threatening conditions are quickly identified and managed
*includes ABCDE:
A = airway maintenance & cervical spine immobilization
B = breathing / ventilation
C = circulation & hemorrhage control
D = disability / neurologic status
E = exposure / environment control; undress pt, then prevent hypothermia

Question 2

cardiogenic shock (simple)

Answer 2

*systemic hypoperfusion secondary to severe depression of cardiac output & sustained systolic arterial hypotension
*commonly caused by myocardial dysfunction from blunt cardiac injury / MI
*characterized by elevated PCWP / increased preload

Question 3

obstructive shock (simple)

Answer 3

*obstruction to normal flow, leading to inadequate perfusion
*causes include: cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism

Question 4

neurogenic shock (simple)

Answer 4

*loss of sympathetic tone, causing hypotension without tachycardia

Question 5

septic shock (simple)

Answer 5

*hypotension secondary to sepsis (systemic inflammatory response to infection) that is resistant to adequate fluid administration and associated with hypoperfusion

Question 6

hemorrhagic / hypovolemic shock (simple)

Answer 6

*caused by decreased preload due to intravascular volume loss (~20% of blood volume)
*SVR increased in an effort to compensate for decreased CO