Chapter 9 Wounds Open Wounds • A break in the skin’s surface resulting in external bleeding • May allow bacteria to enter the body, causing.
Download ReportTranscript Chapter 9 Wounds Open Wounds • A break in the skin’s surface resulting in external bleeding • May allow bacteria to enter the body, causing.
Chapter 9 Wounds Open Wounds • A break in the skin’s surface resulting in external bleeding • May allow bacteria to enter the body, causing an infection Types of Open Wounds • • • • • Abrasion Laceration Incision Puncture Avulsion • Amputation Care for Open Wounds • Protect yourself with medical exam gloves. • Expose the wound. • Control bleeding. • Wash with soap and water. Wound Cleaning (1 of 2) • Shallow wounds • Wash with soap and water and flush with clean water. • Wound with high risk of infection • Seek medical care for wound cleaning. • If in remote area, clean as best you can. • Remove small objects with sterile tweezers. Wound Cleaning (2 of 2) Covering a Wound • Cover with thin layer of antibiotic ointment. • Cover with a sterile dressing. • Change any wet or dirty dressings. When to Seek Medical Care • To clean high-risk wounds • For wound closure • Victim has not had a tetanus booster in past 10 years • Victim has a dirty wound and has not had tetanus booster in 5 years • Must receive booster within 72 hours Signs of Infection • Swelling and redness around the wound • Sensation of warmth • Throbbing pain • Pus discharge • Fever • Swelling of lymph nodes • Red streaks leading from the wound toward the heart Care for Infected Wound (1 of 2) • Keep area clean. • Soak in warm water or apply warm, wet packs. • Elevate the infected portion of the body. Care for Infected Wound (2 of 2) • Apply antibiotic ointment. • Change the dressings daily. • Seek medical help if infection persists or becomes worse. Tetanus • Tetanus bacterium enters a wound that contains little oxygen and produces powerful toxin. • No known antidote to the toxin once it enters bloodstream. • A tetanus vaccine can completely prevent the disease. Amputations • In many cases, amputated extremity can be replanted. • Types • Guillotine • Crushing • Degloving Care for Amputations • • • • Control bleeding. Treat for shock. Recover amputated part. Wrap part in gauze, place in a bag, and keep bag cool. • Transport the part with the victim. Blisters • A collection of fluid in a “bubble” under outer layer of skin. • Repeated rubbing of small area will produce a blister. Care for Blisters • If blister on foot is open or very painful: • Clean with soap and water. • Drain fluid from blister with a sterilized needle. • Apply layers of moleskin or molefoam. • Apply antibiotic ointment. Impaled (Embedded) Objects • Many kinds of objects can become impaled and cause significant internal damage: • Pencils • Screwdrivers • Knives • Glass • Steel rods • Fence posts Care For Embedded (Impaled) Objects • Expose area. • DO NOT remove the object. • Control bleeding around the object. • Stabilize the object. Slivers • Can be painful and irritating • Usually easily removed with tweezers • After removal, clean with soap and water and apply adhesive strip. • Special cases: • Cactus spines: Use white wood-working glue • Fishooks: Use pliers with tempered jaws or fishline method Closed Wounds • Results when a blunt object strikes the body • Skin is not broken but tissue and blood vessels are crushed. • Types of closed wounds: • Bruises and contusions • Hematomas • Crush injuries Wounds That Require Medical Attention • Uncontrolled bleeding • Deep wounds • Large or deeply embedded objects • Foreign matter in wound • Human or animal bite • • • • • Possibility of a scar Eyelid cut Slit lip Internal bleeding Uncertain how to treat • Need a tetanus shot Gunshot Wounds • A bullet causes injury in two ways: • Laceration and crushing • Shock waves and temporary cavitation • Initial care for gunshot wounds is roughly the same as for any other wound.