Chapter 56 First Aid for Accidents and Injuries

Accidents and Injuries • Knowing basic first aid is critical • Seek medical assistance

Foreign Bodies • In the eye – Remove with fold of tissue or moistened

Foreign Bodies • In the ear – Instill warm water; then drain – Avoid

Foreign Bodies • Swallowed items – Will move through the body and be eliminated

Foreign Bodies • Fish hook – Removal techniques – Clean and dress wounds –

Strains and Sprains • Strains • Sprains – Rest in comfortable position – Ice

Dislocations • Usually severe pain and deformity at joint • Immobilize and get medical

Fractures • Closed or simple • Open or compound – Control bleeding – Splint

Fractures • Treat for shock • Check pulse, motor and sensory reflexes • Medical

Bites and Stings • Can come from humans, animals, or insects • Can be

Bites • Animal bites – Cleanse thoroughly – Provider examination – Report bite to

Bites • Human bites – Skin surface breaks and biter has bleeding gums –

Stings • Number of stings is a factor • Allergic response – Restlessness –

Burns • Types – Thermal – Chemical – Electrical • Degree of skin involvement

Classification of Burns • Based on percentage of body surface area and degree of

Treatment of Burns • Minor burn – Treat with cold water – No butter

Treatment of Burns • Second-degree – Can involve prevention of shock – Remove jewelry,

Treatment of Burns • Third- and fourth-degree – Immediate medical treatment – Surgical intervention

Treatment of Burns • Electrical – Remove victim from electrical source • Electrical shut-off

Treatment of Burns • Chemical – Remove clothing from area – Brush off dry

Use of Heat and Cold • Disposable packs, activate and reuse – May place

Cold Applications • Decreases local circulation • Provides local anesthetic • Relieves inflammation •

Heat Applications • Increases tissue temperature • Increases circulation • Increases healing • Decreases

Wounds • Abrasions, scrapes of epidermis – Treat by cleaning and applying dressing •

Wounds • Laceration, tearing of the tissue – Hard to clean and close •

Cleaning Wounds • • • Clean and assess Wash (Betadine) or other antibacterial agent

Dressing and Bandaging Wounds • Apply nonstick dressing • Bandage with appropriate material –

Bandaging Figure Eight Cravat Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

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Foreign Bodies • In the eye – Remove with fold of tissue or moistened cotton – Turn upper lid over swab and remove >> – Flush with water – Embedded material requires medical intervention – Cover both eyes with compress – Advise not to rub Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Foreign Bodies • In the ear – Instill warm water; then drain – Avoid oil with smooth objects – Irrigate out objects that will not swell with water • In the nose – Irrigate or reach with forceps Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Foreign Bodies • Swallowed items – Will move through the body and be eliminated • Splinters – Use needle or thumb forceps – Area washed and covered with adhesive bandage Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Strains and Sprains • Strains • Sprains – Rest in comfortable position – Ice then heat – Analgesic or muscle relaxers – Elevate – Apply ice first 48 -72 hours – Elastic bandage for support Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Bites • Animal bites – Cleanse thoroughly – Provider examination – Report bite to authorities – Observe animal – Anti-rabies serum if rabid or animal status not available – Snake bites Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Stings • Number of stings is a factor • Allergic response – Restlessness – Shortness of breath with cyanotic skin – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea – Need for emergency kit • Remove stinger by scraping Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Treatment of Burns • Minor burn – Treat with cold water – No butter or ointment – No ice (due to frostbite possibility) – Photosensitive drugs increase sunburn risk Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Treatment of Burns • Second-degree – Can involve prevention of shock – Remove jewelry, due to edema – Force fluids – Cover area with sterile dressing – Provider breaks blisters Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Treatment of Burns • Third- and fourth-degree – Immediate medical treatment – Surgical intervention possible – Replacement fluids by IV – Pain medication and tetanus – No cleaning, cover with sterile dressing – Treatment for shock Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Treatment of Burns • Electrical – Remove victim from electrical source • Electrical shut-off • Water conduction danger – Administer CPR if in arrest – Treat burn as non-electrical – Damage along conduction path Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Treatment of Burns • Chemical – Remove clothing from area – Brush off dry chemical first – Flood with water – Cover with sterile dressing – If in eye, flush for 20 minutes and have provider examine Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Heat Applications • Increases tissue temperature • Increases circulation • Increases healing • Decreases pain • Relieves congestion in deep tissues Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Wounds • Abrasions, scrapes of epidermis – Treat by cleaning and applying dressing • Avulsion – Clean and replace flap of torn skin • Incision, clean cut by sharp object – May require Steri-strips or sutures to close Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Cleaning Wounds • • • Clean and assess Wash (Betadine) or other antibacterial agent Apply disinfectant Pressure bandage is applied Prepare suture setup With severe bleeding, initial cleaning is delayed until medical care is received Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Dressing and Bandaging Wounds • Apply nonstick dressing • Bandage with appropriate material – Tubular gauze and cylinder – Open or closed spiral – Figure-eight – Cravat from triangular bandage Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.