Trauma Initial Evaluation and Resuscitation

A process of continuous assessment, resuscitation, and reassessment, prioritizing patient needs.

A rapid evaluation to determine the patient's stability, instability, or imminent threat to life.

A thorough examination focusing on airway, breathing, circulation, and neurology, along with a quick check for external injuries.

A systematic examination of the entire body to uncover additional injuries.

A non-invasive imaging technique used to assess heart function, fluid status, and potential pericardial fluid buildup.

The use of medical imaging techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and angiography to further identify and diagnose injuries.

A vital component of initial trauma assessment and management, initiated as needed throughout the evaluation process.

Advanced imaging technology that provides rapid, detailed images of the entire body, aiding in trauma management planning.

Injuries involving multiple organ systems and body locations.

The process of assessing the mechanism of injury, prehospital care, vital signs, and medical history to guide the initial evaluation.

A tertiary survey, conducted within the first 24 hours following admission, aims to identify any injuries missed during initial evaluation. This involves repeating primary and secondary examinations, reviewing radiologic and laboratory testing.

The process of evaluating a patient's airway involves assessing potential trauma, anticipating respiratory complications, and predicting airway management risks.

This refers to the placement of a tube directly into the trachea to maintain an open airway, often necessary in trauma cases.

This is a surgical procedure performed to create an opening in the windpipe, often used as a last resort for airway management.

Airway obstruction, frequently caused by trauma, can be due to various factors like displaced soft tissues, hematomas, bleeding, foreign objects, or broken bones. This can block the passage of air to the lungs.

Cervical spine injuries can lead to spinal cord damage, resulting in loss of function below the injury level. Recognizing these injuries is critical to prevent further harm.

A condition characterized by excessive bruising and tissue damage in the chest region, often due to blunt force trauma.

A collapsed lung, caused by air leaking into the space between the lung and the chest wall, can lead to breathing difficulties. It's crucial to recognize and treat this condition.

This refers to a build-up of blood in the chest cavity, often as a result of injuries. It puts pressure on the lungs and heart, potentially leading to breathing difficulties.

Maxillofacial injuries encompass trauma to the face and jaw, often involving fractures and soft tissue damage, requiring specialized management.

A situation where the stomach is full, which is a common factor in acute trauma. Due to the urgency of managing airways, there is often limited time for medication to reduce stomach volume and acidity. Therefore, focus should be placed on selecting safe techniques for securing the airway, such as rapid-sequence induction with cricoid pressure for patients without serious airway problems, and awake intubation with sedation and topical anesthesia, if possible, for those with anticipated serious airway difficulties.

A rapid sequence induction, often combined with cricoid pressure, is the preferred method for securing the airway in patients without serious airway problems, during trauma situations. This technique allows for a rapid and controlled intubation, minimizing the risk of aspiration.

Used in cases where a difficult airway is anticipated, awake intubation involves administering sedation and topical anesthesia to the airway before intubation. This approach allows for controlled intubation without the risk of airway obstruction or aspiration.

Applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction can help prevent aspiration of gastric contents by occluding the esophagus. This technique is often used in conjunction with intubation.

A technique used to secure the airway when direct laryngoscopy is challenging. It utilizes a video-assisted device to visualize the airway and facilitate intubation.

Relating to a patient's ability to withstand the stress of various medical procedures. This term addresses the patient's overall physiological state and responsiveness to medical interventions.

A medication primarily used to reduce pain and anxiety, which is often administered before surgery. It can also be used to manage chronic pain.

A condition in which blood pressure is lower than normal, potentially affecting vital organs and requiring prompt medical attention.

An anesthetic agent that can maintain blood pressure and prevent significant increases in intracranial pressure.

The amount of oxygen in the blood. This measure is crucial for assessing a patient's respiratory function.

A set of clinical criteria used to identify patients with a low probability of a cervical spine injury who may not need X-rays.

A clinical decision rule designed to determine the need for radiography in patients with potential cervical spine injuries.

Pain or discomfort in the neck that occurs when pressure is applied to the middle part of the back of the neck.

An injury or trauma that is not directly related to the suspected cervical spine injury but may mask or distract from it.

A loss of sensation or weakness in one or more limbs.

The ability to move the neck laterally (to the side) for at least 45 degrees in both directions without pain.

Clinical findings that indicate a high risk of cervical spine injury, requiring radiographic evaluation.

Clinical findings that indicate a low risk of cervical spine injury, potentially allowing for safe evaluation of the neck motion.

A condition where the patient is not alert and responsive to their surroundings.

A condition where a patient's judgment and coordination are impaired by alcohol or drugs.

The initial evaluation and resuscitation of a trauma patient involves three phases: Rapid Overview, Primary Survey, and Secondary Survey. Rapid Overview quickly assesses stability and prioritizes care. Primary Survey focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, and neurology. Secondary Survey systematically examines the entire body for further injuries.

Multidetector CT scans (MDCT) are widely used in trauma management. These advanced imaging procedures offer rapid, detailed images of the entire body, providing comprehensive information that guides subsequent interventions (surgery, radiologic procedures, etc.).

The initial evaluation of a trauma patient involves gathering critical information from paramedics and medical records. This includes the mechanism of injury, vital signs, prehospital care, and any pre-existing medical conditions. This information helps guide the assessment and subsequent treatment.

Airway management in trauma focuses on maintaining an open airway for breathing. Techniques like tracheal intubation (inserting a tube into the trachea) and cricothyroidotomy (surgical opening in the windpipe) may be used to maintain airway patency.

Cervical spine injuries, which are injuries to the neck, can be life-threatening. It is crucial to stabilize the cervical spine to prevent further injuries. Special precautions are taken during the trauma assessment and during handling and transportation of the patient.

Thoracoabdominal injuries affect the chest and abdominal areas. They can involve significant bruising, tissue damage, and potential complications like pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity).

Trauma to the airway or surrounding tissues, recognition and anticipation of respiratory consequences of these injuries, and prediction of the potential for exacerbation of these or other injuries by any contemplated airway management maneuvers.

A surgical procedure performed to create an opening in the windpipe, often used as a last resort for airway management during trauma.

A collapsed lung caused by air leaking into the space between the lung and the chest wall.

A condition characterized by excessive bruising and tissue damage in the chest region, often due to blunt force trauma.

A build-up of blood in the chest cavity, often as a result of injuries.

Injuries to the face and jaw, often involving fractures and soft tissue damage.

A technique used to secure the airway when direct laryngoscopy is challenging. It utilizes a video-assisted device to visualize the airway and facilitate intubation.

A rapid sequence induction, often combined with cricoid pressure, is the preferred method for securing the airway in patients without serious airway problems, during trauma situations.

Used in cases where a difficult airway is anticipated, awake intubation involves administering sedation and topical anesthesia to the airway before intubation.

Applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction can help prevent aspiration of gastric contents by occluding the esophagus.

Injuries to the larynx and trachea, the voice box and windpipe, are common in trauma patients, particularly in warfare. Blunt trauma can cause less obvious damage than penetrating injuries.

Penetrating laryngotracheal injuries are more easily diagnosed because they present with clear signs like coughing, blood in the air, and air escaping from the wound.

Blunt laryngotracheal injuries can be tricky to diagnose because they may not cause obvious symptoms. Even if symptoms are present, they might be overlooked initially.

Blindly trying to insert a breathing tube (intubate) into the trachea in a laryngotracheal injury patient can make the problem worse. This is because the tube might go into a wrong passage or damage the already compromised airway.

For laryngotracheal injuries, securing the airway is a priority, and it should be done carefully using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) to see the airway or surgical methods.

A type of mechanical ventilation that uses low tidal volumes (6-8 mL/kg) and moderate PEEP to prevent hemodynamic deterioration and ARDS.

A type of ventilation where spontaneous breathing is combined with mechanical ventilation by periodically decreasing continuous positive airway pressure, improving V/Q matching and blood pressure.

A rare but serious condition where air enters the bloodstream, typically after penetrating lung trauma or blast injuries.

Using a double-lumen tube to isolate and collapse the injured lung, minimizing air entry into the systemic circulation during ventilation.

A ventilation technique used for severe bilateral pulmonary contusions to potentially improve oxygenation and cardiac function in life-threatening hypoxemia.

The primary method for securing the airway in trauma patients without serious airway problems. It involves rapid administration of sedatives and paralytics followed by endotracheal intubation.

Applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction to prevent aspiration of gastric contents by occluding the esophagus.

The leading cause of traumatic hypotension and shock, often resulting in death after head injury.

A condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised, leading to hypotension.

A sudden, severe allergic reaction causing a drop in blood pressure.

A condition where the spinal cord is injured, disrupting nerve signals and causing hypotension.

A serious infection that can cause hypotension, especially in cases of unrecognized bowel injury.

A condition where there is a significant amount of bleeding into the abdominal cavity.

A medical imaging technique used to assess the abdominal cavity for blood or fluid buildup.

A technique for obtaining a sample of abdominal fluid to diagnose intra-abdominal bleeding.

A condition where the heart rate remains normal or even increases despite hypovolemia (low blood volume), often due to factors like the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, increased vagal tone, or chronic cocaine use.

The use of limited quantities of crystalloid solutions and volume replacement with plasma and red blood cells during initial resuscitation of major trauma patients.

The ability of the patient to elevate the heart rate in the face of hypoperfusion is considered a predictor of increased mortality independent of severity of injury, systemic blood pressure, or presence of a head injury.

The process of continuously assessing the trauma patient, providing necessary resuscitation, and reassessing their condition throughout their treatment.

A state where the body's ability to form blood clots is impaired, leading to excessive bleeding. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, surgery, and certain medical conditions.

A type of coagulopathy that develops shortly after trauma due to hyperfibrinolysis and tissue injury, leading to excessive bleeding.

A type of coagulopathy that develops during resuscitation due to hypothermia, fluid overload, and other factors, contributing to impaired clotting.

The combination of acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy, forming a dangerous cycle that can lead to multiple organ failure (MOF) and death in trauma patients.

Excessive bleeding that requires massive blood transfusions to stabilize the patient, often occurring in trauma patients.

The amount of blood a patient has lost, expressed as a percentage of their total blood volume.

A scoring system used to estimate mortality risk in patients receiving massive blood transfusions.

A type of blood product used to replace red blood cells and improve oxygen-carrying capacity.

A blood product containing clotting factors, used to correct clotting deficiencies.

A blood product containing platelets, small cells involved in blood clotting, used to treat platelet deficiencies.