Anthony PHTLS
Internal Blood Loss: rib, radius or ulna, humerus, tibia or fibula, femur, pelvis - ANS rib: 125,
radius or ulna: 250-500, humerus: 500-750, tibia or fibula: 500-1000, femur: 1000-2000, pelvis:
1000-massive
osteomyelitis - ANS In an open fracture, a bone punctures the skin and the end can be
contaminated with bacteria from the skin or environment.
Contraindications to use of traction splint - ANS -suspected pelvic fracture
-suspected femoral neck (hip) fracture
-avulsion or amputation of the ankle and foot
-suspected fractures adjacent to the knee
Rami fracture - ANS Isolated fracture of the inferior or superior rami which are generally minor
and do not require surgical stabilization.
Acetabular fracture - ANS These fractures occur when the head of the femur is driven into the
acetabulum of the pelvis.
Pelvic ring fractures - ANS Fractures of the pelvic ring are typically classified into three
categories. Life-threatening hemorrhage is probably most common with vertical shear fractures,
but it may be associated with each type of pelvic ring fracture.
3 categories of pelvic ring fractures:
1. Lateral compression fractures
2. anterior-posterior compression fractures
3. vertical shear fractures - ANS 1. Lateral compression fractures- occur when forces are
applied to the lateral aspects.
2. anterior-posterior compression fractures- occur when forces are applied in an anterior or
posterior direction.
3. vertical shear fractures- (worst of all) occur when a vertical force is applied to the hemi-pelvis.
Blood vessels are often torn resulting in severe hemorrhage.
How do you splint dislocations? - ANS Splint dislocations in "position found." However, when
the pulse is absent or weak, gentle manipulation of the joint can be done to try to return blood
flow.
Life takes precedence over limb - ANS When faced with a critically injured trauma PT with
extremity injuries that are not bleeding, the focus should be on maintaining vital functions
,through resuscitation, and only limited measures should be taken to address the extremity
injuries.
Analgesics should not be administered when... - ANS 1. the PT presents with or develops signs
and symptoms of shock.
2. Pain is significantly relieved with stabilization and splinting.
3. the PT appears under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Morphine - ANS -for use in PTs with moderate to severe pain.
-dosage should be titrated to the PT's response to pain and physiological status.
-can be given IV, IM, SQ
-Adult dosage: 2.5 to 15 mg, administered slowly over several minutes while monitoring PT for
relief.
Fentanyl - ANS -has rapid onset and does not cause increase in release of histamine (as
morphine does), which can exacerbate hypotension in hypovolemic PTs.
-adult dosage: 50 to 100 mcg
-child dosage: 1 to 2 mcg/kg
As analgesics manage pain, sedatives address the anxiety. Sedatives include... - ANS
Sedatives include diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), Iorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam
(Xanax) are the best known and have the benefit of anterograde amnesia.
Management of amputated part - ANS 1. clean amputated part with lactated Ringer's (LR)
solution.
2. wrap part in sterile gauze moistened with LR and place in a plastic bag or container.
3. label bag or container, and place it in an outer container filled with crushed ice.
4. DO NOT place directly on ice.
5. transport along with PT to the closest facility possible.
Compartment Syndrome - ANS refers to a limb-threatening condition in which the blood supply
to an extremity is compromised by increased pressure in that limb.
Crush Syndrome - ANS Crush syndrome occurs when destruction of muscle releases the
molecule myoglobin, when released from damaged muscle is capable of causing damage to the
kidneys and acute renal failure. Traumatic injury to the muscle causes release of potassium as
well which can result in life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Mangled extremity - ANS Even with mangled extremity, the focus is still on the primary survey
to rule out or address life-threatening conditions. Hemorrhage control may require use of a
tourniquet. The mangled extremity should be splinted if PT's condition allows. Transport to level
1 TC.
, Functions of skin - ANS includes protection from the external environment, regulation of fluids,
thermoregulation, sensation, and metabolic adaptation.
denaturation - ANS When a burn occurs to PTs, the elevated or freezing temperature, radiation,
or chemical agent causes the proteins in the skin to be severely damaged, resulting in protein
denaturation.
A full-thickness burn has three zones of tissue injury. - ANS 1. zone of coagulation- region of
greatest tissue destruction. This zone is necrotic and is not capable of tissue repair.
2. zone of stasis- cells in this zone are injured, but not irreversibly. Immediately after injury,
blood flow to this region is stagnant.
3. zone of hyperemia- minimal cellular injury and is characterized by increased blood flow
secondary to an inflammatory reaction initiated by the burn injury.
First-degree burns (superficial burns) - ANS involves only the epidermis and are characterized
as being red and painful.
Second-degree burns (partial-thickness burns) - ANS involves the epidermis and varying
portions of the underlying dermis. Appear as blisters or as denuded, burned areas with a
glistening or wet-appearing base.
Third-degree burns (full-thickness burns) - ANS appear as thick, dry-white, leathery burns. In
severe cases skin will have a charred appearance with visible thrombosis of blood vessels.
Involves the entire thickness of skin. Can be disabling and life threatening.
Fourth-degree burns - ANS involves not only all layers of skin, but also underlying fat, muscles,
bone, or internal organs.
Highest priority in burned PTs? - ANS Airway! Heat from fire can cause edema of the airway
above the level of the vocal cords and can occlude the airway. Intubate as soon as airway
swelling is expected.
Treatment for burns that involve >20% of body - ANS Establishment of two large-caliber IV
catheters capable of the rapid flow rate needed for large-volume resuscitation.
Escharotomy - ANS a surgical procedure that involves making an incision through the
hardened burn eschar, allowing the burn and chest to expand and move with the PT's
respiratory movements.
In "Disability" Assessment for burned PTs.. - ANS it is vital to assess for other, less obvious
internal injuries that may be more immediately life threatening than the burn injuries. Evaluate
the PT for neurologic and motor deficits. Identify and splint long bone fractures. Perform spinal
immobilization if necessary.