Types of Wounds

By: Juliana Johan John

Types of wounds

Wound = An injury which breaks the skin or other tissues and which can allow blood to escape from the body and germs to enter it

Classification of wounds:

Wounds

Open Closed

Open-wound• Allows blood to escape from the body• There is disruption in the continuity of the

skin therefore susceptible to external bleeding and contamination

• Types of open wound : Incision Abrasion Laceration Puncture Avulsion Amputation

Incision• An open wound caused by sharp objects such as

knives, razor blades, and sharp glass or metal edges.

• Wound is smooth edged and bleeds freely• Amount of bleeding depends upon the wound’s :

i. Depthii. Locationiii. Size

• Deep wound may cause severe damage to:i. Muscleii. Nervesiii.Tendons

Laceration A cut made by sharp instrument such as knife or

razor blade Produce jagged incision through skin surface and

underlying structure Tend to bleed less severely than incised wounds These wounds are sometimes contaminated

Puncture

Is a stab from a pointed object. Example: nails, needles, fork, knife and even

teeth Risk of infection is high if wound is deep

because germs and dirt may have carried into it

Special treatment is required when the object causing the injury remains impaled in the wound

Abrasion Superficial wound caused by rubbing or

scrapping Results in partial loss of skin surface

Avulsion Is the tearing of a patch of skin or other

tissues Not totally torn from the body but creates a

loose, hanging flap Involves body parts such as eyeballs,

ears,fingers, or hands

Amputation Involves cutting or tearing off a body part Example: fingers, toes, hands,feet, arms or

leg.

Type Cause(s) Signs and symptoms

First Aid

Abrasion (scrape)

Rubbing or scraping

Only skin surface affectedLittle bleeding

Remove all debrisWash away from wound with soap and water

Incision (Cut) Sharp object Smooth edges of woundSevere bleeding

Control bleedingWash wound

Laceration (Tearing)

Blunt object tearing skin

Veins and arteries can be affectedSevere bleedingDanger of infection

Control bleedingWash wound

Puncture (Stab)

Sharp pointed object pierces skin

Wound is narrow and deep into veins and arteriesEmbedded objectsDanger of infection

Do not remove impaled objects

Avulsion (torn off)

Machinery, Explosive

Tissue torn off or left hangingSevere bleeding

Control bleedingTake avulsed part to medical facility

Closed wounds

Example : Bruise and contusion Damage to soft tissue beneath skin No actual break in the skin Contusion = Local pain and swelling Hematoma = if large vessels have been

torn beneath the contused area, will be evident as a lump with bluish discoloration

Treatment : Treat it with pressure and cold application to minimize swelling/ no specific treatment

Bleeding Bleeding may not only be the most visible

but may also be the most often cared for Rapid loss of one quart or more of total

blood volume by bleeding often leads to :i. irreversible shockii. Death

Types of external bleeding

1. Arterial :• Blood from artery spurts; bright red in color

(oxygen)• Less likely to clot than other type of

bleeding• Blood loss often rapid and profuse (blood

spurts)• Dangerous (no blood clot can form)• External means of control must be used to

stop flow


2. Venous :• Bleeding is steady and dark-bluish-red color• Easier to control than arterial bleeding• Potential danger of air bubble or air

embolism- Blood in larger veins being sucked

back towards the heart; air bubble can be large enough to interfere the heart to pump blood because of the formed air block


3. Capillary : Blood oozes from a capillary; similar

color to venous blood Easily controlled Not immediately dangerous More or less control itself by clotting

spontaneously

Hemophilia : Tendency to bleed as well as the inability of blood to clot. Life threatening.

Controlling external bleeding

1. Direct Pressure- The quickest and most efficient mean of controlling external bleeding

2. Elevation- Control bleeding of extremity- Gravity helps to reduce blood pressure; slows bleeding


3. Pressure points- If direct pressure is not controlling sever bleeding in the arms and legs- Only after direct pressure and elevation have failed to control bleeding- Apply pressure at the point where artery is relatively near the surface and where it passes close to a bony structure against which it can be compressed; brachial point in the arm and femoral point in the groin


4. Tourniquet - Only is used in severe emergency when other

means will not stop bleeding in an extremity- Can damage nerves and blood vessels- Can result in the loss of arm or leg- Use only as last resort

Steps of treatment for minor external bleeding1. Wash hands before dealing with the wound by

rinsing it with running water (if possible)2. Temporarily protect wound with sterile swab.

Carefully clean the surrounding skin with water and soap. Gently wipe away from the wound using each swab once only.

3. If bleeding persists apply direct pressure4. Dress mall wound with an adhesive dressing

(plaster)5. Raise and support the injured part unless

suspect underlying fracture6. Seek medical aid if any doubt about injury

Documents

Types of Wounds