Paramedic Care: Principles Practice, Volume 4: Trauma Emergencies

by Bledsoe, Bryan E.; Porter, Robert S.; Cherry, Richard A.

• ISBN13: 9780130216137
• ISBN10: 0130216135
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

bull; bull;Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care (includes Airway Management) bull;Volume 2: Patient Assessment bull;Volume 3: Medical Emergencies bull;Volume 4: Trauma Emergencies bull;Volume 5: Special Considerations / Operations (includes Assessment-Based Management) Dr. Bryan E. Bledsoe, lead author of the classic pre-'98 curriculum text Paramedic Emergency Care, along with co-authors Robert Porter and Richard Cherry, has woven together contributions from field experts to provide detailed, yet student-friendly texts that will set the standard for paramedic education for years to come. In developing this series to meet the new curriculum, the goals were threefold: bull; bull;Comprehensive coverage. The program includes all material required for the new U.S. DOT curriculum and, where appropriate, expanded information. bull;Accuracy. The material reflects the best and latest in scientific and medical practice, written and reviewed by experts. bull;Appropriate level. Concepts and terminology are clearly explained. Beginning at the level of the new student and progressing through the development of new and advanced concepts, this series will provide the student with a broad background of knowledge and a firm grasp of how to apply it to paramedic emergency care.

Table of Contents

Trauma and Trauma Systems	2	(14)
Discusses the nature of trauma and its costs to society
Introduces the concept of trauma care systems
Outlines the role of the paramedic in trauma care
Introduces trauma triage protocols
Blunt Trauma	16	(38)
Describes the physics of blunt trauma and the effects of blunt trauma on the body
Outlines how to evaluate the mechanism of injury in cases of penetrating trauma in order to determine likely injuries
Penetrating Trauma	54	(22)
Describes the physics of penetrating trauma and the effects of penetrating trauma on the human body
Outlines how to evaluate the mechanism of injury in cases of blunt trauma in order to determine likely injuries
Hemorrhage and Shock	76	(46)
Describes the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system as they apply to hemorrhage and shock
Discusses the assessment and management of hemorrhage and shock in patients
Soft-Tissue Trauma	122	(48)
Reviews the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system
Discusses the pathophysiology of soft-tissue trauma
Discusses in detail the assessment and management soft-tissue trauma, including a discussion of bandaging
Burns	170	(38)
Discusses the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of burn injuries
Discusses the assessment and management of burn patients
Musculoskeletal Trauma	208	(52)
Reviews the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system
Discusses the various types of injuries and conditions that can affect the musculoskeletal system
Discusses the assessment and management of musculoskeletal trauma, including discussion of realignment, splinting, and pain control
Head, Facial, and Neck Trauma	260	(60)
Reviews the anatomy and physiology of the head, face, and neck
Describes the common results of trauma in these regions
Discusses the assessment and management of trauma in these regions, with special emphasis on early recognition of injuries and early protection of the airway
Spinal Trauma	320	(44)
Reviews appropriate anatomy and physiology of the spine
Discusses common mechanisms of spinal injury
Discusses the assessment and management of patients with spinal injuries and suspected spinal injuries
Thoracic Trauma	364	(48)
Reviews the anatomy and physiology of the thorax
Describes common mechanisms of thoracic injury
Discusses the assessment and management of thoracic injuries
Abdominal Trauma	412	(32)
Reviews the anatomy and physiology of the abdomen as it pertains to trauma
Describes abdominal trauma pathology by organ and organ system
Discusses the assessment and management of abdominal injury patients, with special emphasis on the need for maintaining a high index of suspicion when treating a trauma patient with potential internal injury
Shock Trauma Resuscitation	444
Reviews in detail the process of assessment for the trauma patient
Describes the basic elements and steps of shock trauma resuscitation
Reviews methods of improving the delivery of care to trauma patients, including the importance of good communications among members of the EMS system, the use of air medical transport, and active participation in research programs

Excerpts

Preface Until the late 1960s, the highest level of medical care available outside of the hospital was Red Cross First Aid. In 1966, the National Academy of Sciences commissioned a research study to examine the inadequacies of emergency medical care in this country. The findings of this study were published in a document calledAccidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.This document, commonly referred to as "The White Paper," was the impetus for development of EMS and emergency medicine as we know it today. The initial emphasis of prehospital training was trauma care. Prehospital personnel received considerable training in bandaging, splinting, and rescue techniques. In the 1980s, prehospital trauma care was again improved through the development of Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) training. These courses provided EMTs and paramedics with the additional information needed to care adequately for the trauma patient in the field. The publication ofParamedic Care: Principles and Practice Volume 4, Trauma Emergenciestakes prehospital trauma care to the highest level yet. This volume details the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of trauma. Although trauma is a surgical disease, and in many instances definitive care must be provided in the operating room, there is a significant amount of care that can be provided by prehospital personnel to help reduce both morbidity and mortality. This book addresses the various types of trauma based on the body systems involved. It is important to remember that many trauma patients have multiple injuries involving multiple body systems. Because of this, it is essential to consider the "whole patient" and not become distracted by a single injury. The chapters ofParamedic Care: Principles and Practice Volume 4, Trauma Emergenciesinclude: Chapter 1 "Trauma and Trauma Systems"introduces the paramedic student to trauma, the concept of trauma systems, and trauma triage protocols. It has been shown that trauma victims have the best chances of survival if they are cared for in a facility that routinely provides trauma care. In addition, certain patients will require very specialized trauma care, and it is often the responsibility of the paramedic to assure that the patient gets to the correct facility. Chapter 2 "Blunt Trauma"presents the physics of blunt trauma. It details the effects of blunt trauma on the various body tissues. Blunt trauma can often be very deceiving, as overt signs and symptoms of injury may not be evident at the time paramedics arrive. This chapter encourages the paramedic to evaluate the physics and mechanism of injury, and determine likely injuries. Chapter 3 "Penetrating Trauma"provides a detailed discussion of the physics and pathophysiology of penetrating trauma. Formerly quite rare, penetrating trauma has become much more commonplace in our society. This chapter emphasizes the importance of considering the physics and mechanism of injury when assessing and treating a patient with penetrating trauma. Chapter 4 "Hemorrhage and Shock"is a detailed discussion of the body's response to hemorrhage and shock. Regardless of the mechanism of injury, the final common denominator in most trauma patients is the fact that they are losing blood. Severe blood loss can result in the development of shock. The body's physiological responses to hemorrhage and shock are complex. This chapter details the physiological and pathophysiological response to hemorrhage and shock so that the paramedic can recognize the process early and intervene. Chapter 5 "Soft-Tissue Trauma"provides a comprehensive look at soft-tissue trauma. Soft-tissue trauma is, by far, the most common form of trauma. Although most soft-tissue injuries are not life-threatening, many can be. This chapter provides a detailed review of the