Unit-3_Lesson-6.pdf

Unit 3 Trauma-Related Medical Issues Lesson 6 Extremity Injuries Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient with an injury to the upper and lower extremities, to include fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and amputations. C...

Unit 3 Trauma-Related Medical Issues Lesson 6 Extremity Injuries Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient with an injury to the upper and lower extremities, to include fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and amputations. Classifications of Fractured Bones ✅ HL236.1. Describe the classifications of fractures The medical term for a broken bone is fracture. There are two types of fractures: open fracture—a fracture where the skin at the injury site is open, and the bone may protrude through the skin. If lacerations appear near the fractured bone, treat the break as an open fracture because you do not know if the bone penetrated the skin. closed fracture—a fracture where the skin at the injury site remains intact. Extremity Fracture ✅ HL236.2. Describe the symptoms of a fractured extremity Most fractured extremities cause a large amount of pain, especially when the patient tries to move them. There may be swelling and obvious deformity compared to the other extremity. The patient may have decreased sensation or be unable to move the limb. If you suspect that the patient has a fractured femur, consider this a life-threatening injury. If the fracture has separated the bone, there is a possibility that the bone will sever the femoral artery and cause significant blood loss within the thigh cavity. The injured leg is usually shorter than the uninjured leg and may have rotated. The thigh may be very swollen. The patient may be in extreme pain and unable to walk. Fractures to bones in the lower leg may be less obvious; however, no matter where the fracture occurs, the patient may be in severe pain that will get worse if they try to move it. There is typi- cally swelling, tenderness, and bruising. If you suspect that the patient has an ankle injury and they are wearing boots, leave the boot in place. The boot provides support; removing it can cause more ankle damage. You may need to loosen or cut boot or shoe laces to allow room for swelling. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 115 To treat a patient for a bone fracture: 1. Leave or place the patient in a position of comfort. 2. Provide support for the extremity as requested by the patient. Dislocation, Sprain, and Strain A dislocation occurs when trauma forces the end of a bone from its normal position, and it comes out of its socket at the joint. ✅ HL236.3. Describe the symptoms of a dislocation, sprain, and strain Dislocations in adults occur more often in the shoulder and in the elbow for children. The injury will look deformed and may cause severe pain and swelling. Do not try to put the dislocated bone back into place as there are major blood vessels and nerves in the joint area and further injury may occur if you do this improperly. Treat a dislocation as you would treat a fractured bone. A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon that becomes overstretched, sometimes called a pulled muscle. Strains commonly occur in the lower back and in the muscles at the back of the leg. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, or the strong bands of tissue that connect bones together in the joint. Sprains commonly occur in the ankle and wrist. The difference between a strain and a sprain is that strains stretch the muscle or tendon, and sprains injure the ligament that holds bones together. Treat a strain or sprain by applying ice and elevating the extremity. Amputation An amputation is the loss or removal of a limb or body part such as a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm or leg. There are two types of amputations: complete and incomplete or partial. Both may require a tourniquet. ✅ HL236.4. Describe how to provide treatment for an amputated body part To treat a patient with a limb amputation: 1. If there is arterial bleeding or spurting blood, you may need eye protection. 2. For a complete or partial amputation of a limb, apply a tourniquet “high and tight” above the wound, not over a joint, even if there is not currently any bleeding, as such bleeding may develop later. 3. If the amputation involves fingers or toes, apply direct pressure; a tourniquet is not needed. 4. Do not delay the patient’s treatment or transport to look for the amputated part. However, when you do find the amputated part: a. Wrap it in dressing. 116 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 b. In the case of multiple amputations, wrap each part separately. c. Place it in a plastic bag. d. Keep it cool, but do not place it directly on ice. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 117