First Aid for Various Injuries PDF

CHAPTER 4 Dressings and Bandages 1  Dressing Dressing is an immediate protective cover placed over a wound. Helps to stop bleeding or to absorb any discharge from minor wound. 2  Purpose of dressing 1. To assist in the control of bleedin...

CHAPTER 4 Dressings and Bandages 1  Dressing Dressing is an immediate protective cover placed over a wound. Helps to stop bleeding or to absorb any discharge from minor wound. 2  Purpose of dressing 1. To assist in the control of bleeding 2. To absorb blood and wound secretions 3. To prevent contamination 4. To relieve pain 5. To promote clot 3 Sterile  wound dressing will be in a strille packet, which is carefully opened with clean or gloved hand. Clean dressing…for minor wound but not for severe burn wound. 4  BANDAGES A bandage is a wrapping that will hold a dressing in place. Modern dressing is self adhesive Is a strip of woven material used to hold a wound dressing or a splint in place. A bandage is never applied directly to a wound or used to stop blood flow -- those tasks are done using dressings 5 before the bandages are applied. When applying bandages, keep the following things in mind: I. Bandages should be snug but not tight. If they are too loose, they will fall off. If they are too tight, they will cause pain or restrict blood flow. 6  II. A bandage is too tight when it is difficult to insert two fingers between the bandage and the victim's skin. III. Bandages must be checked frequently. IV. Wounds swell and increase the pressure on a bandage. If the bandage is not checked and loosened, it can cut off blood flow 7  Chapter 5 Specific injuries Head Injuries Head injuries range from minor abrasions or cuts on the scalp to severe brain injuries that may result in to unconsciousness and sometimes death. Head injuries are classified as open or closed wounds 8  An open wound is one that is visible, has a break in the skin, and usually has evidence of bleeding. A closed wound may be visible (such as a depression in the skull) or the first aid provider may not be able to see any apparent injury (such as internal bleeding). 9  The signs and symptoms a first aid provider might observe are: Nausea and vomiting  Convulsions  Recent unconsciousness  Dizziness/lightheadedness Slurred speech or  Blurred vision Drowsiness Confusion and loss of  unequal pupils  Bleeding or other fluid memory Paralysis: partial / full discharge from the scalp, nose, or ears. Complaint of headache  Deformity of the head Staggering while (depression or swelling) walking. 10  General First Aid Measures The casualty with a head injury (or suspected head injury) should be continually monitored for the development of conditions that may require basic lifesaving measures. The first aid provider should be prepared to: Clear the airway. Control bleeding (external). 11  Administer first aid measures for shock. Protect the wound (dressing).  Do not use direct pressure to control bleeding if the skull is depressed or obviously fractured, as this would cause further injury by compressing the brain Internal bleeding 1.Determine the site by x-ray/ultra sound 2. Surgical intervention 3.Manitol to decrease ICP (intercranial pressure) 12  Chest Wounds Blunt trauma, bullet or missile wounds, stab wounds, or falls may cause chest injuries. These injuries can be serious and may cause death quickly if first aid is not administered in a timely manner. 13  Sign and symptoms A casualty with a chest injury may complain of pain in the chest or shoulder area.  he may have difficulty breathing. His chest may not rise normally when he breathes. The casualty may cough up blood and have a rapid or a weak heartbeat. 14  First Aid for Chest Wounds 1. Be prepared to perform first aid measures. These measures may include clearing the airway, rescue breathing, treatment for shock, and/or bleeding control. 2. Expose the Wound and see if there is an entry and exit wound and treat accordingly.  If there is an object impaled in the wound, DO NOT remove it. Apply a dressing around the object and use additional improvised bulky materials/dressings 15 16  3. Position the Casualty. Position the casualty on his injured side or in a sitting position, whichever makes breathing easier 17 If an occlusive dressing has been improperly placed, air may enter the chest cavity with no means of escape. This causes a life-threatening condition called tension pneumothorax. If the casualty’s condition (for example, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, restlessness) worsens after placing the dressing, quickly lift or remove, and then replace the occlusive dressing. 18  Abdominal injuries The most serious abdominal wound is one in which an object penetrates the abdominal wall and pierces internal organs or large blood vessels. In these instances, bleeding may be severe and death can occur rapidly. First aid 1.Always check for both entry and exit wounds.  If there are two wounds (entry and exit), treat the wound that appears more serious first (for example, the heavier bleeding, protruding 19 organs, larger wound, and so forth).  2. Position the Casualty. Place and maintain the casualty on his back with his knees in an upright (flexed) position. The knees up position helps : relieve pain  assists in the treatment of shock prevents further exposure of the bowel (intestines) or abdominal organs. helps relieve abdominal pressure by allowing the abdominal muscles to 20 relax. 21  3. Expose the Wound. Remove the casualty’s loose clothing to expose the wound. However, DO NOT attempt to remove clothing that is stuck to the wound; removing it may cause further injury. Gently pick up any organs that may be on the ground. Do this with a clean, dry dressing or with the cleanest available material.  Place the organs on top of the casualty’s abdomen. 22 Note Do not try to remove any foreign object from the abdomen. DO NOT touch with bare hands any exposed organs.  DO NOT push organs back inside the body. 4. Apply clean dressing When the dressing is applied, DO NOT put pressure on the wound or exposed internal parts, because pressure could cause further injury (vomiting, ruptured intestines, and so forth). Therefore, tie the dressing tails loosely at casualty’s side, not directly over the 23 dressing. Tie the dressing firmly enough to prevent slipping without applying pressure to the wound site DO NOT give casualties with abdominal wounds food or 24 water (moistening the lips is allowed).  Chapter 6 Bone & Joint Injuries A fracture is any break in the continuity of a bone. A partial or complete break in the bone 25 Fractures can cause total disability or in some cases death by severing vital organs and/or arteries. On the other hand, they can most often be treated so there is a complete recovery. But The potential for recovery depends greatly upon the first aid the individual receives before he is moved. 26  Possible cause: 1. Accident / Trauma 2. Pathological Due to Bone Infection 3. Tumor of the Bone 27  Types of Fractures A. Closed Fracture :A closed fracture is a broken bone that does not break the overlying skin. The tissue beneath the skin may be damaged. B. Open Fracture : An open fracture is a broken bone that breaks the overlying skin. The broken bone may come through the skin. An open fracture is contaminated and subject to infection. 28 29 30 31 32  Signs and Symptoms of Fractures Indications of a fracture are:  Deformity Tenderness Swelling Pain  Inability to move the injured part  Protruding bone Bleeding or Discolored skin at the injury site. Difference in shape & length of the 33 corresponding bones.  First aid includes  Immobilizing the fractured part: immobilize the joints above and below the fracture site. Applying lifesaving measures when necessary. 34  General principles 1. Rescue if necessary and rescue 2. Maintain an open airway breathing if indicated. 3. Prevent movement 4. Elevate the affected part with out disturbing the suspected fracture. 5. Apply splint 35  If open fracture is evident 6. Remove/cut the victims clothing 7. Control hemorrhage 8. Do not clean and insert finger 9. If a fragmented of bone is protruding cover with dressing but do not replace any fragmented bone.. 36  Why to immobilize? A fracture is immobilized to prevent the sharp edges of the bone from moving and cutting tissue, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves. This reduces pain and helps prevent or control shock. In a closed fracture, immobilization keeps bone fragments from causing an open wound, which can become contaminated and subject to infection 37  Splinting : Are devices applied to the leg, arm or trunk to immobilize the injured part when fracture is suspected.  Should be long enough to extend beyond the fractured joint  Adequately padded. 38   Joints must be immobilized above and below the fractured site  Check for pulse, color change, and swelling and  Ask numbness, tingling sensation and inability to move the fingers Never test for fracture by moving the victim’s broken bone. Neck /spinal injury is suspected do not allow movement of head. 39  Board splints applied to fractured hip or thigh. 40  Board splints applied to fractured lower 41 leg or ankle.  Dislocation 42 43  Dislocation Definition:- When bone is no more in an anatomical position or the displacement of one or more bone at a joint. Cause:- Strong force acts directly or indirectly on a joint Sudden muscular contraction Joints which are most frequently dislocated are shoulder, elbow, thumb, finger, Jaw 44  Signs and symptoms  Pain near the joint, victim can not move it, deformity, abnormal appearance and swelling are usually present First aid and manage:- support and secure the part in most comfortable position Do not attempt to replace the bones to normal position 45  Sprains vs. Strains Sprains: Severe stretching or tearing of tendons, muscles, or ligaments surrounding a joint Caused by sudden twisting or wrenching movement resulting in pain, swelling, and impaired movement. 46 47  How to care for sprains Splinting – Immobilizing the area to prevent further damage R. I. C. E. Rest Ice Compression Elevate 48 49  Strains 50 51 When a muscle or tendon that attaches to the bone is overstretched or torn. Muscle strains are also called pulled muscles. The muscle is strained either because it is not properly warmed up before the activity. Many muscle strains occur during exercise or sports activities. They can also occur when lifting heavy objects. 52  Strain and Sprain Strain is over stretching of muscles due to over pulling of muscles. Causes: Lack of pre- exercise before doing sport activity Lifting of heavy loads Lifting of heavy weight The most common one is back strain 53  Signs and symptoms Pain (sudden sharp pain at the site of the injury)  Stiffness of muscles  Difficulty in moving the affected parts 54  Management and First Aid  Place the victim in the most comfortable position  Cold compress during active phase Warm compress (physiotherapy)  Ant pain support and elevate the inured part or limb and give anti pain.  If not improved refer the victim In case of back strain use a hard board under the bed or lay the victim down on a firm surface 55  Sprain Is an injury which occurs at a joints when the ligaments and tissue around particular joints are suddenly twisting or torn( injures tissue that connected two bones together).  Sprain is more severe than strain It usually happens or occurs at joint especially at ankle joint.  It might involve bone ( broken) Sprain is also tearing of ligaments 56  Signs and symptoms Pain specially on movement  Swelling  Loss of movement 57  Treatment Raise the limb Put on a cold compress Renew the compresses when they get warm and dry Support the joint in most comfortable position with bandage Bandage firmly with figure of eight bandage  Refer for further treatment 58. 59