Chapter 15 3 Providing First Aid for Bleeding

Chapter 15: 3 Providing First Aid for Bleeding Wounds

Wounds • Injury to soft tissue. • Open wound: Break in skin or mucous membrane. • Closed wound: no break in skin or mucous membrane, but injury occurs to underlying tissue. • First Aid care must be directed toward controlling bleeding before leads to death or infection.

Types of Open Wounds • Abrasion: skin is scraped off, infection needs to be prevented. • Incision: cut or injury caused by a sharp object such as knife, scissors. Edges of wound are smooth and regular. Bleeding needs to be controlled, and if deep enough damage to muscle and tissue can occur.

• Laceration: Tearing of tissue by excessive force. Wound has jagged, irregular edge. Care for bleeding and infection. • Puncture: Wound caused by sharp object such as pin, nail, pointed instrument. Care for internal bleeding and possible infection (tetanus)

• Avulsion: wound occurs when tissue is torn or separated from the victim’s body. Bleeding is heavy and extensive. Torn tissue hanging from ear, nose, hand, etc. Preserve body part while caring for wound so surgeon can reattach it.

• Amputation: Body part is cut off and separated from the body. Bleeding can be heavy and extensive. Care must be taken to preserve the amputated part so it can be reattached. • The part should be wrapped in a cool, moist dressing and placed in a plastic bag which is kept cool or placed in ice water and transported with the victim.

Controlling Bleeding • First priority in caring for wounds, because it is possible for victims to bleed to death. • Arterial bleed: spurts from wound, bright red, must be controlled quickly. • Venous bleed: slower, steadier and dark red. Easier to control. • Capillary bleed: “oozes” from wound slowly, less red and clots easily

Methods of controlling bleeding • Direct Pressure: Using gloved hand over thick dressing apply pressure directly to wound. Apply pressure for 5 to 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Do not disturb blood clots once they have formed. • Elevation: Raise the injured part above the level of the victim’s heart to allow gravity to aid in stopping the blood flow from the wound. Continue applying direct pressure while elevation the injured part.

• Pressure bandage: Apply a pressure bandage to hold the dressing in place. Maintain direct pressure and elevation while apply the pressure bandage. • Pressure points: Apply pressure to a main artery and pressing it against an underlying bone, the main blood supply to the injured are can be cut off. Should not be used any longer than absolutely necessary, because blood gets cut off to other areas. Direct pressure and elevation should be continued.

Minor Wounds • Prevention of infection is first priority. • Clean wounds and apply dressing.

Infection • Can develop in any wound • Signs and symptoms include: swelling, heat, redness, pain, fever, pus, red streaks leading from wound. Tetanus: bacteria can enter wound, ask if patient has had a tetanus shot recently.

Closed wounds • Bruise: apply cold to reduce swelling • Serious wounds look out for signs and symptoms of point, tenderness, swelling, deformity, cold and clammy skin, rapid and weak pulse, drop in blood pressure, uncontrolled restlessness, excessive thirst, vomited blood, or blood in urine or feces. • Get medical help immediately

Embedded Wounds • If object is at the surface of skin, remove it gently with sterile tweezers, wipe clean with alcohol or disinfectant. • Any objects embedded in tissues should be left in the skin and removed by a physician.