ems term #927

laceration - an open injury whose edges may be linear (smooth and regular) or stelate (jagged and irregular); a wound that penetrates the brain.

ems assessment tip #997

if the foot or ankle is injured, having the patient push down or pull back with the big toe will give you the same result as if the entire foot were tested.

ems term #929

abrasion - an open injury to the epidermis caused by a scrapong away, rubbing or shearing away of tissue.

ems assessment tip #988

the severe pain associated with a fracture to an extemity may distract the pafient from complaining of other more significant pain, such as abdominal pain or spinal pain. for this reason, fractures maybe referred to as distracting injuries.

ems term #925

hematoma - a closed injury characterized by a mass of blood beneath the epidermis.

ems assessment tip #1028

to distinguish a clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose from tears or nasal secretions, check the fluid for glucose. cerebrospinal fluid contains glucose, tears and nasal secretions do not.  glucose reading in cerebrospinal fluid will be about half of the blood glucose reading. note, however, that any discharge from the ears or nose must be taken seriously.

ems term #926

crush injury - an open or closed injury in which high-pressure forces cause serious damage to underlying soft tissue with internal bleeding, resulting in possible hemorrhagic shock.

ems assessment tip #1029

there is very little room for bleeding into the brain. so in the patient with trauma to the head, if the blood pressure is decreasing, the pulse pressure is narrow, the heart rate is elevated, and the respiratory rate is increased, suspect shock, but look for evidence of bleeding in an area of the body other than the brain.

ems term #924

ecchymosis - black and blue discoloration.

ems assessment tip #1027

in a brain injury, the affected pupil is usually on the same side as the injury.

ems assessment tip #990

suspect a dislocation when deformity and pain are found at a joint.

ems term #923

contusion - a closed injury to the tissue and blood vessels within the dermis characterized by discoloration, swelling, and pain; a bruise; bruising or swelling of the brain.

ems term #924

closed injury - any injury in which there is no break in the skin.

ems assessment tip #964

the determination of an accurate body surface area (BSA) burned can be delayed until the physical exam is completed. prior to this you should focus on establishing and maintaining the airway, breathing, oxygenation, and circulation.

ems term #897

fragmentation - the breaking up of a bullet into small pieces on impact.

ems assessment tip #962

the head of the infant or child accounts for more of the total body surface area (BSA) than it does in the adult. this is because the head is proportionally larger in younger patients.

ems term #896

cavitation - a cavity formed by a pressure wave resulting from the kinetic energy of a bullet traveling through body tissue.

ems assessment tip #931

a tension pneumothorax will present with signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress and cardiovascular compromise as evidenced by hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, increasing heart rate, and pale, cool, and clammy skin.

ems term #899

drag: the factors that slow a projectile.

ems assessment tip #924

hematomas that occur in The elderly with fragile soft tissue could bleed excessively and become extremely large.