Soft Tissue Injury

WOUND – is a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body either internal/external. 2 CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS CLOSED WOUND Causes: — Blunt object results in contusions/bruises. — Application of external forces. Signs & symptoms: — Pain & tenderness — Swelling — Discoloration — Hematoma — Uncontrolled restlessness — Thirst — Symptoms of shock — Vomiting/cough up of blood — Passage of blood in the unrine/stood — Signs of blood along nose, mouth & ears. First aid management — Ice application — Splinting OPEN WOUND Classification of open wound: — Puncture — Abrasion — Laceration — Avulsion — Incision Dangers — Hemorrhage — Shock — infection Kinds of bleeding — Arterial bleeding – bright red — Venous bleeding – dark red — Capillary bleeding – red FIRST AID MANAGEMENT Wound w/ severe bleeding — Cover the wound using a dressing & secure with bandage. — Control the bleeding — Care for shock — Consult a physician Wound w/ minimal bleeding — Clean the wound w/ soap & water — Apply mild antiseptics — Cover wound w/ dressing/bandage BURNS – an injury involving the skin, including muscles, bones, nerves, & blood vessels. This result from heat, chemical, electricity, or solar & other forms of radiation. FACTORS TO DERTERMINE SERIOUSNESS OF BURNS DEPTH — 1st degree burns — 2nd degree burns — 3rd degree burns The extent to the affected body surface area — Location of the burns — Victims, age & medical conditions. SECOND DEGREE — Minor – less than 15% of the body — Moderate – 15-30% of the body — Severe – 30% of the body THIRD DEGREE — Minor – 2% of the body — Moderate – 2-10% of the body — Severe – 10% of the body TYPES OF BURNS INJURIES Thermal Burns – not all thermal burns are cause by flames. Contact w/ hot objects, flammable vapor that ignites and cause a flash or explosion, & steams or hot liquid are other common cause of burns. CARE FOR THERMAL BURNS: CARE OF 1ST AND 2ND DEGREE BURNS — Relieve pain by immersing the area in a cold water or applying a wet, cold cloth. If water is unavailable use only cold liquid you drink to reduce the burned skin temperature. — Cover the burn w/ dry, non-sticking, sterile dressing or a clean cloth. CARE OF 3RD DEGREE BURNS — Cover the burn w/ a dry, non-sticking sterile dressing or a clean cloth. — Treat the victim for shock by elevating the legs & keeping the victim w/ a clean sheet or blanket. Chemical Burns – chemical will continue to cause tissue destruction until the chemical agent is removed. CARE FOR CHEMICAL BURNS: — Immediately remove the chemical by flushing w/ water. — Remove the victims contaminated clothing while flushing w/ water. — Flush for 2 mins, or longer. Let the victim wash w/ mild soap before a final rinse. — Cover the burned area w/ a dressing, for large areas use clean pillow case. — If the chemical is in the eye, flood it for at least 20 mins, using low pressure. — Seek medical attention immediately for all chemical burns. Electrical burns – exposure to electrical current depends on the type of current, the voltage, the area of the body & the duration of contact. CARE FOR ELECTRICAL BURNS: — Unplug, disconnect or turn off the power. If that is impossible, call the power company for help. — Check the (ABC) airway, breathing, circulation. Provide RB & CPR if necessary. — If the victim fell check for spinal injury. — Treat victim for shock — Seek medical attention immediately. Electrical injuries are treated in burns centers. OTHER SOFT TISSUE INJURIES: NOSE BLEEDING FIRST AID : — Let the pt. sit down w/ the head slightly titled forward. — Pinch all soft parts of the nose together between the thumb & 2 fingers w/ steady pressure of 5 minutes. — Apply an ice pack over the nose & neck.