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| EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT |
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| FIRST-AID |
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| FIRST-AID |
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| SPRAINS AND STRAINS Ankle Elevate the part; apply a bandage and an ice bag if available or much better if you will remember RICE which stands for R-est, I-mmobilize,C-ompression and E-levation. Weight bearing should be avoided until the hemorrhage and the more acute pain have subsided. As soon as the ankle is sufficiently healed and will bear the weight of the body without too much discomfort, limited walking may be resume. Knee Immobilize the part, keep itimmobilized until the swelling and the pain have ceased. Have the patient walk with his toes turned in(or it really depends on which ligament is affected). Wrist Usually all that is required is a snug strap or a bandage bout the wrist to limit motion until repair has been effected. If the injury is extensive and severe, a splint may have to be put on to fix the joint more firmly. In addition, provision should be made for rest, heat, and massage, and gentle exercise afterward. In all serious cases, the possibility of a fracture must be taken into consideration. It is advisable to have an x-ray made. Shoulder Heat is valuable for maintaining the circulation, after the acute phase has passed. Back Complete and undisturbed rest is essential until the more acute symptoms have subsided. Heat and massage should form a part of the treatment. DISLOCATIONS Shoulder A sling should be fastened around the neck affords sufficient support to the arm until reduction can be done by a doctor. Elbow Correction consists in traction(pulling) with the elbow in full extension. Then it is acutely flexed and supprted across the chest by a bandage. Femur(the big bone found in your thighs) The limb should be immobilized by a well padded board extending from the arm pit to beyond the ankle. If a board is not available, the limb can be tied above the knee and at the ankle to the sound leg, and the patient transported on a stretcher or its substitute. |
| FRACTURES Types of fractures are: Simple Colles Compound Greenstick Comminuted Impacted Complicated Four cardinal features of all fractures, except that of the skull, are: Abnormal mobility Loss of function Crepitus Pain General Treatment Since every fracture is attended with a certain amount of shock, treat the shock first. A fractured bone must be correctly handled. Unwise handling or manipulation of the part runs the risk of throwing the patient into profound shock, converting a simple fracture into a compound or a complicated fracture, and increasing any bleeding present with a possible resultant infection. Therefore, do not attempt at once to reduce a fracture or to move the patient. First, accurately assess by judicious examination the extent of his injuries. When this has been done and any temporary treatment given which may be required (including treatment of shock), then splint or in some other way support the affected part and take the patient to a nearby hospital. What has been said about the danger of unwise handling of a fractured bone applies also in a large measure to the handling of a person suspected of having a fracture. He may be in shock and there my be bleeding even there is no fracture. In trying to find out whether or not a fracture is actually present, proceed on the assumption that it is, and make all your movements over the suspected part carefully and deliberately. In the case of compound fracture, arrest the bleeding and cover the exposed portion of the bone and the lacerated tissues with a clean preferably sterile dressing to prevent further contamination. Fractures of the ribs, foream, lower leg, collarbone, and the small bones of the hands and feet do not ordinarily require any emergency splinting. For the collarbone and the forearm a sling support fastened around the neck usually suffices. Fractures of the upper arm and of the thigh must be splinted. Care must be taken to immobilize the two joints adjacent to the injured site. In the case of the upper arm the splint should reach from above and behind the shoulder to well below the finger tips. In the case of the thigh, the splint should reach from the armpit to beyond the ankle. First-aid treatment of the a fracture of the skull should be limited to the application of sterile dressings to the lacerations of the scalp and the control of the hemorrhage. |
| Sprains, Strains, Dislocations and Fractures |