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Serious Injuries. Lesson 6. Serious Injuries. Many factors affect how serious an injury is Injuries that threaten the airway, breathing, or circulation are life threatening Severe bleeding is also serious Additional injuries can be very serious and may become life threatening.
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Serious Injuries Lesson 6
Serious Injuries • Many factors affect how serious an injury is • Injuries that threaten the airway, breathing, or circulation are life threatening • Severe bleeding is also serious • Additional injuries can be very serious and may become life threatening
Head and Spinal Injuries • Any injury to the head may also injure the spine • When you find a serious head injury, suspect a neck or spine injury also
Skull Fractures • A skull fracture is life threatening • Call 911 immediately • Give care as described in Bleeding and Wound Care
Brain Injuries • Include bleeding, swelling, and concussions • It is difficult to determine seriousness of a brain injury • Call 911 and give supportive care while waiting for help
Changing responsiveness Drowsiness Confusion Disorientation Headache Dizziness Nausea, vomiting Unequal pupils When You See
First Aid for Brain Injuries Responsive Child • Have child lie down • Keep child still and protect from becoming chilled or overheated • Call 911 and monitor condition
First Aid for Brain Injuries Unresponsive Child • Check child’s ABCs without moving child unless necessary • Control serious bleeding and cover wounds with dressing
First Aid for Brain Injuries Unresponsive Child: • Call 911 • If child vomits, use recovery position • If spinal injury suspected, support head and neck at all times
Brain Injury Alert! Do not: Give the child anything to eat or drink
Brain Injury Alert! Signs and symptoms appearing within 48 hours may indicate a more serious injury
Head Injuries in Infants • Infant skull bones are not completely formed and not as strong as an older child’s • Any infant with blow to the head should be seen by a healthcare provider • Call 911 if signs and symptoms of head injury
Spinal Injuries • Fracture of the neck or back • May be life threatening and can cause permanent paralysis • Do not to move the child any more than necessary • Support the head and neck to prevent worsening the injury
When to Suspect a Spinal Injury • Fall from a height (even a short height) • Motor vehicle crash • Blow to the head or back • Crushing injury of the head, neck, or back • A diving injury
Inability to move Lack of sensation or tingling in hands Deformed neck or back Breathing problems Headache Deformed neck or back Signs of blow to head or back Nature of the emergency When You See Responsive Victim Unresponsive Victim
First Aid for A Spinal Injury • Stabilize child’s head in position found • Monitor ABCs • Use jaw thrust to keep airway open if necessary in unresponsive child • Call 911 • Use objects on both sides of head to prevent movement
Inline Stabilization Perform the SKILL
See if child can move hands and feet Do not pull on the neck
Remember! • Support child’s head and neck in position found • Move child only if necessary • If child vomits, roll onto his or her side • Use log roll
Log Roll Perform the SKILL
Chest Injuries May result from: May result from: • A motor vehicle crash • A blow to the chest • A fall from a height
Signs of a Chest Injury • Breathing problems • Severe pain • Deformity of the chest • Possibly coughing blood
Broken Ribs • Signs of pain with deep breathing or movement • Child holding ribs • Shallow breathing
First Aid for Broken Ribs • Have child sit in position of easiest breathing • Support ribs with a pillow or soft padding • This can be loosely bandaged over area and under arm • Call 911
Impaled Object • Removing from chest could cause additional bleeding and breathing problems • Leave object in place and seek medical attention
First Aid for Impaled Object • Keep child still • Use bulky dressings to stabilize object • Bandage area around object • Call 911
Sucking Chest Wound • Caused by penetrating injury • Wound lets air move in and out of chest during breathing • Can be life threatening because breathing can be affected
First Aid for Sucking Chest Wound • Thin, sterile dressing over wound • Make airtight seal with plastic bag/wrap • Tape it on three sides • Position child lying inclined toward injured side • Call 911
Abdominal Injuries • Include closed and open wounds • Commonly result from a blow or a fall • May involve internal and/or external bleeding • Child needs immediate medical care even if no significant injuries can be seen
Abdominal Injury • An abdominal injury can be life threatening • Internal organs may have ruptured and there may be serious internal bleeding
Signs of Closed Abdominal Injury • Severe pain, tenderness • Bruising • Swollen or rigid abdomen
First Aid for Closed Abdominal Injury • Position child on back and loosen clothing • Call 911 • Treat for shock and monitor ABCs Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain
Open Abdominal Wounds • May involve significant bleeding • Organs possibly protruding from wound
First Aid for Open Abdominal Wounds • Lay child on his/her back and loosen any tight clothing • Cover wound with moistened dressing, then with dry sterile dressing • Call 911 • Treat for shock and monitor ABCs Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain
Pelvic Injuries • Broken pelvis may cause severe internal bleeding and organ damage • Can be a life-threatening injury • Signs of pain and tenderness around the hips • Inability to walk or stand • Signs and symptoms of shock
First Aid for Pelvic Injuries • Help child lie on back • Immobilize child’s legs by padding between thighs and ankles • Bandage legs together • Call 911 • Treat child for shock and monitor ABCs
