COMMON MEDICAL TERMS

1. COMMON MEDICAL TERMS In everyday life, people speak of bruises, wounds, sprains and other types of injuries with a common understanding about what the terms generally mean. In medical cases, however, such words have very specifically defined meanings that are important in analyzing the severity of injuries. In this section, you will learn how certain terms are defined when used by medical personnel. Slide 1 of 20

2. Flesh and Soft Tissue Injuries • A bruise and a contusion are the same thing: An injury that does not break the skin but which discolours it and also spreads into the tissue below the skin. The rupture of superficial blood vessels directly below the skin cause discoloration. A contusion may be painful and cause swelling as well. Bruising may be referred to as ecchymosis. Bruise, contusion or ecchymosis, this is typically a nonthreatening injury in healthy people without other medical problems. • Unlike a bruise, an abrasion scrapes away some of the skin and could include bleeding. This is a minor injury in healthy people. A scab forms quickly, preventing or minimizing infection. Bruises, Contusions, Abrasions Slide 2 of 20

3. Wounds Lacerated Wounds • Wounds can cause a break in the continuity of the soft parts of the body as the result of traumatic injury to soft tissue. Various kinds of wounds are specified by descriptive adjectives Slide 3 of 20

4. Slight of Hand • A lacerated wound or laceration is an irregular tear of the flesh as opposed to a clean cut. Which of these illustrations shows a lacerated wound? A B Slide 4 of 20

5. Incised Wounds Wounds • An incised wound is a clean, straight cut caused by a sharp-edged instrument. Incised wounds do not have the irregular tearing that characterizes lacerations. • An incised wound might result from a surgical incision but may also be caused by other means, such as stabbing. Slide 5 of 20

6. Pick a Box • 1. The type of wound characterized by a clean, straight cut from a sharp-edged object is… lacerated incised 2. The type of wound characterized by irregular tearing is… lacerated incised Slide 6 of 20

7. Wounds • Puncture wounds are caused by a sharp, pointed instrument. Punctures leave a deep narrow hole penetrating the flesh, which makes proper cleansing difficult. Since germs and bacteria thrive in this environment, puncture wounds are prime sources for infection. A bullet wound is an example of a puncture wound. • When an object breaks the skin and enters under the skin or deeper into the body, as a bullet might do, the wound is often referred to as a penetrating wound. Furthermore, in the case of a bullet or other object that not only penetrates but also exits at another point, such a wound is known as a perforating wound. Puncture Wounds Slide 7 of 20

8. A B C Arm Wrestle • Each illustration below represents a kind of wound. Identify for each whether it is a puncture wound (PUNC), a penetrating wound (PEN), or a perforating wound (PERF). PEN PEN PEN PERF PERF PERF PUNC PUNC PUNC Slide 8 of 20

9. Wounds • Crushing Wounds A crushing wound is caused by trauma of sufficient force to smash or compress the tissues but sometimes without lacerating the skin. If the skin is broken, bleeding may occur. Broken bones are common with crushing wounds because of the extreme force that caused the injury. Slide 9 of 20

10. Implications of Flesh & Soft Tissue Injury • Whenever the skin is broken, as it is with a wound, there is danger of infection. Some types of wounds are more likely to become infected than others – puncture wounds for example. However, infection can usually be controlled with drugs or other medical care appropriate to the situation. • In addition to infection, scarring may have an adverse effect on the injured person even though the medical significance of a scar could be slight. For example, a fairly minor facial wound might cause no ongoing health problems but could pose a psychological problem concerning scarring on the face. Infection and Scarring Slide 10 of 20

11. Implications of Flesh & Soft Tissue Injury Infection and Scarring • While superficial scars usually disappear over time, deep or jagged wounds can result in a lasting scar. It is difficult to determine the end result of such a wound until several months have passed since most wounds appear severe immediately after they occur. • In severe injuries, plastic surgery might be needed for any part of the body. However, facial scars are those for which people are more likely to seek corrective plastic surgery since society places great emphasis on physical attractiveness. Slide 11 of 20

12. Pick a Box • The long term evaluation of a scar, especially on the face, therefore should be made… as soon as the injuries are reported to the insurance company since the severity is most apparent at that time on the basis of the psychological effect on the injured person sometime after healing has progressed sufficiently to determine the severity and extent of the scarring that will result Slide 12 of 20

13. Implications of Flesh & Soft Tissue Injury • One type of scarring that might not respond positively to plastic surgery or other treatment is called keloid. Keloid is scar tissue that occurs more massively than is necessary for normal healing, resulting in a thick, raised, irregularly shaped red scar, which is often painful to the touch. In general, darker pigmented individuals are more likely to develop keloid. • Certain steroids, drugs and laser therapy are treatments that have had some success in removing keloid scars, but keloid sometimes recurs after apparently successful treatment. Keloid scarring Slide 13 of 20

14. Pick a Box • Which statement(s) below are true concerning keloid scarring? Some methods for removing keloid are steroids, drugs and laser treatment. keloid is an irregular mass of tissue that is disfiguring but never painful. Although treatment is difficult, once keloid is removed, it never returns. Slide 14 of 20

15. Strains & Sprains Strains • Strains and sprains are two different injuries that are sometimes confused if for no other reason than the similarity of the names. A strain is a minor injury with no lasting effects, although there may be significant pain when a strain first occurs. It involves stretching of muscles or tendons beyond their usual limits. • Muscles can be strained simply by excessive use or by accidental or traumatic means. WAD injuries are ones that you are familiar with – research indicates such injuries for most are minor with a good prognosis and full recovery. Slide 15 of 20

16. Strains & Sprains Sprains • A sprain, on the other hand, is a serious injury to a joint, such as the elbow or knee joint, wherein the ligaments are partly or totally torn from the bone. Ligaments are connective tissue that help joints work properly. A sprained joint will become hot, swell rapidly and become limited in movement. Discoloration usually occurs as well. • Sprains are typically treated like bone fractures by immobilizing the injured part of the body. Common methods used to immobilize sprains include elastic bandages, casts, and splints. In less severe cases, the affected area may be taped. Slide 16 of 20

17. Strains & Sprains • The swelling, discoloration and inflammation that characterizes a sprain will disappear slowly or rapidly, depending upon the severity of the injury. However, returning the affected joint – the knee, for example – to normal movement and function may be difficult or impossible. The effects of any kind of joint injury can vary greatly. • Another problem that can occur with a sprain is the possible weakening of the joint, increasing the chance that a similar injury might occur to the same area. Sprains Slide 17 of 20

18. Make a Match SP ST B • Muscles or tendons are stretched beyond their normal limits • Cause rapid swelling and limits movement • May require immobilization • Has no lasting adverse effects • Might be immobilized with a cast as if it were a fractured bone • Injures a joint by pulling the ligaments away from the bone SP ST B LEGEND SP = sprain ST = strain B = both SP ST B SP ST B SP ST B SP ST B Slide 18 of 20

19. Congratulations • You have now completed the online “ Medical Terminology” course. • (Please do not forget to return to the course page to complete the mandatory POST-ASSESSMENT • & EVALUATION) Slide 19 of 20

20. Acknowledgements • Sandra Buckberrough • BI Technical Trainer • Jackie Roberts • Instructional Design • Bysis Education • Punchstock Images Slide 20 of 20