SPM 100 Clinical Skills Lab 4

C-Spine Immobilization,Hemorrhage Control and

Simple Splinting Extremities

Daryl P. Lofaso, M.Ed, RRT

Blunt TraumaAcceleration –

Deceleration MVC Falls Altercations

Penetrating Trauma

GSW

Stabs

Most Common Cervical Injuries

Adult: C5 – C6

Child: C2 - C3

Brain Injuries:

Direct Injuries: MVC (Windshield) Blunt Head Trauma (Stick, Bat)

Indirect Injuries: Airway (Obstruction) Decrease in perfusion

(Hypotension)

Spinal Cord Injuries

Paraplegia – paralysis of both legs

Quadriplegia – paralysis of both arms & legs

Hemiplegia – paralysis of arm and leg on the same side

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics 11,000 Americans suffer a

traumatic spinal cord injury

56% are between the ages of 16 and 30 (average age: 31)

82% male and 18% female

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

MVC – 42.9% (Most common) Falls – 20.9% Violence-related – 17.8% Sports-related – 10.4% Other – 7.9%

Hemorrhage Control

Direct Pressure Elevation Pressure Point Tourniquet (rarely used)

Class of Hemorrhage

Types of Splints

Rigid Board Padded Board Air-Inflated Traction

Assessment Post Splint Placement

Pain Numbness or tingling in hand or

foot Fingers or toes are cool to

touch,change in color

Loss of movement in fingers or toes

Types of Fractures: Closed fracture Open Fracture Comminuted Fracture Avulsion Fracture Greenstick Fracture Torus Fracture

Professional Conduct Introduce yourself Explain the procedure /

examination to the patient Ask the patient if they have any

questions Cover the patient with a sheet.

Only expose area examining while performing a procedure/examination