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Chest Injuries. Types Injuries to chest wall Injuries to lungs Check ABC’s Conscious: sit up or place with injured side towards the ground (to ease breathing). Injuries To Chest Wall: Rib Fractures. Painful to move, cough, breathe Point tenderness Do not wrap (restricts breathing)
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Chest Injuries • Types • Injuries to chest wall • Injuries to lungs • Check ABC’s • Conscious: sit up or place with injured side towards the ground (to ease breathing)
Injuries To Chest Wall: Rib Fractures • Painful to move, cough, breathe • Point tenderness • Do not wrap (restricts breathing) • Stabilize (Use pillow or tie arm) • Encourage deep breathing • Seek medical attention?
Injuries To Chest Wall: Flail Chest • Major injury • Several ribs in the same area are broken in more than one place • Chest wall may move in opposite direction from the rest of the chest • Stabilize with: • Pillow • Hand • Place with injured side towards the ground (remember to treat for shock) • Monitor ABC’s and seek medical attention
Injuries To Lungs • Hemothorax • Blood fills chest, lungs can’t expand • Pneumothorax –air fills chest cavity • Open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) • Air moves in and out of chest cavity • Lungs can’t expand • Tension pneumothorax – air is pulled in, can’t exit
Sucking Chest Wound • Seek medical attention • Sealwound to stop air from entering (saran wrap, etc.) • Tape in place (leave one corner untaped) • (May use gloved hand) • Victim having trouble or getting worse? • Remove, allow air to escape, then reapply
Severe Blow To Abdomen • Place on side • Expect vomiting • No foods or liquids • Seek medical attention
Protruding Organs • Do not re-insert • Cover loosely with moist, sterile dressing or clean cloth • Best to wait for EMS (saline solution) • Cover area with a towel or blanket • Seek medical attention
Pelvic Injuries • Accompanied by: • Pain • Shock • Internal bleeding • Inability to use lower extremities • Damage to bladder and other organs
Determining Pelvic Injuries • Gently press downward and inward at iliac crest • Do not press if pain is already present • Pain may indicate broken pelvis • (suspect spinal cord injury)
Pelvic Injuries: What To Do • Treat for shock • Pad between thighs • Tie knees and ankles together • Keep on firm surface • Seek medical attention