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Chapter 14: Chest, Abdomen,
and Pelvic Injuries
Injuries to the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis
Because the chest,
abdomen and pelvis
contain many organs
important to life, injury
to these areas can be
fatal.
Chest injuries are a
leading cause of trauma
deaths each year.
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Chest Injury
Chest injuries may involve the bones that form the chest cavity
or they may involve the organs or other structures in the cavity
itself.
Chest wounds are either open or closed (ex: rib fractures and
puncture wounds).
Signals of serious chest injury include—
Trouble breathing.
Severe pain.
Flushed, pale, ashen or bluish skin.
Obvious deformity.
Coughing up blood.
Bruising at the site of a blunt injury.
A distinctive “sucking” sound as the person breathes.
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Care for Injuries to the Chest
Caring for a serious chest injury often means helping the victim
with trouble breathing. To care for a serious chest injury—
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
Position the victim to aid breathing.
If ribs are broken, bind the victim’s upper arm to the chest.
Use a pillow or rolled blanket to support and immobilize the
area.
If a sucking chest sound is evident, cover the wound with an
occlusive dressing.
Take steps to minimize shock.
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Injuries to the Abdomen
Signals of serious abdominal injury include—
Severe pain.
Bruising.
External bleeding.
Nausea.
Vomiting (sometimes containing blood).
Weakness.
Thirst.
Pain, tenderness or tight feeling in the abdomen.
Organs protruding from the abdomen.
Rigid abdominal muscles.
Other signals of shock.
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All rights reserved.
Care for Injuries to the Abdomen
If the injury involves an open wound—
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
Carefully position the victim on his or her back.
Do not apply direct pressure.
Do not push any protruding organs back in.
Remove clothing from around the wound.
Apply moist, sterile dressings.
Cover the wound with an occlusive dressing.
Cover dressings lightly with a folded towel to maintain
warmth.
Take steps to minimize shock.
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Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
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Care for Injuries to the Abdomen
(continued)
If the injury involves a closed wound—
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
Carefully position the victim on his or her back unless you
suspect injury to the head, neck or back.
Bend the victim’s knees slightly. If moving the victim’s legs
causes pain, keep them straight.
Place rolled-up pillows or blankets under the knees for
support.
Take steps to minimize shock.
Monitor breathing, skin color and temperature until EMS
personnel arrive.
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Injuries to the Pelvis
Signals of pelvic injury are the same as those for an abdominal
injury. Signals of pelvic injuries may also include—
Severe pain.
Protruding
organs.
Bruising.
Rigid muscles.
External bleeding.
Pelvic injuries may also cause
Nausea.
Vomiting (blood).
Loss of sensation in the legs.
Weakness.
Inability to move.
Thirst.
Pain, tenderness or swelling.
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Care for Pelvic Injury
To care for injuries to the pelvis—
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
Do not move the victim unless necessary.
Control external bleeding.
Cover any protruding organs.
Take steps to minimize shock.
Care for a closed wound to the genitals as you would any
closed wounds.
If the genital has an open wound apply a sterile dressing and
control bleeding with direct pressure.
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Review
Injuries to the chest, abdomen or pelvis can be serious.
Some injuries can only be detected if the victim’s condition
worsens over time.
Watch for signals of serious injury that require medical attention.
Care for life-threatening emergencies first.
Always call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number as soon as
possible.
For open wounds, control the bleeding.
If a fracture is suspected, immobilize the injured part.
Use occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds and open
abdominal wounds.
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Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
All rights reserved.