Musculoskeletal Injuries
Putting ice on an injury can reduce swelling. How long should you keep ice on for?
15-20 minutes
What should you always wear when dealing with blood?
disposable gloves
What's the best way to prevent heat exhaustion/stroke if you know that you'll be out in the heat?
hydrate (before, during, and after activity)
What are 3 symptoms of shock?
blue lips, pale, confused expression, nausea, unresponsive, restless, moist or cool skin, rapid shallow breathing
What topical medication should you place on a mild bite/sting after the skin has been washed?
antibiotic ointment
How should you support a broken bone?
Place soft padding around the limb (clothing, blankets, etc.)
prevent the limb from moving
Burns should be cooled for at least 10 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. What two methods are appropriate to cool a burn?
Run under clean, cool water
Apply a cool or cold (but not freezing) compress
What should you do to help someone recover from heat illness? List 3 things.
Give them something cold to drink if conscious
remove wet clothes
place ice pack in sweat-heavy places (armpits, neck, groin, head, behind knees, etc.)
Elevate legs to keep them alert
transport to Dr. - may need IV
While waiting for paramedics to arrive, what should you do in the meantime to help someone who is in shock?
lay them down if possible - turn to side if vomiting or bleeding
keep them warm and comfortable
loosen any restrictive clothing
List 4 signs of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
trouble breathing
any skin reaction (hives, red, itchy, etc.)
symptoms of shock
swelling of face, tongue, or lips
nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea
What's the only definitive way to diagnose a broken bone?
X-ray
What is a tourniquet?
How can you tell if someone has hypothermia and isn't just cold?
breathing rate slows down
disoriented
pale
cold to the touch
stop shivering
How can you calm someone down who is having an anxiety attack? List 3 things
Help them move to a place where the stimulus that triggered the attack is absent (quiet place where they can feel calm)
Help them focus on their breathing (deep)
Give them something repetitive to focus on (counting, etc.)
Open communication - this is a panic attack, and it will pass
Offer a listening ear
Be an example of calm, low-key behavior (gentle voice, slow speech, slow movements, etc.)
Outside middle of thigh
What's the difference between and strain and a sprain?
Strain - muscle tear
Sprain - ligament tear (joint damage)
When should you go to the hospital for a burn? Give 3 examples.
blisters
burn affects multiple areas of body
underlying tissues are visible
covers, hands, feet, joints, face, neck, genitals
if larger surface area such as trunk or extremities are involved
Why should you gradually warm up somebody with hypothermia rather than directly put them in heat?
jumping from extremes can cause shock
nerves aren't firing so you can't tell how hot is too hot
If a person in shock or distress cannot communicate their needs to you, what is the best thing to do?
Remain calm, let them know that you are here to help and listen when they are ready, and contact others on their behalf
If a person has been stung or bitten by something venomous, what position should you keep their body in until paramedics arrive?
Lying down (move as little as possible to prevent faster bloodflow). Body part with bite should remain lower than the heart.
What does RICE stand for?
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
How do you treat a bleeding wound that is life-threatening? (blood flow is continuous, spurts, and can fill half a soda can)
Place any dressing you can find (gauze, clothing, etc.) on wound and press both hands down as if you're doing CPR and push down as hard as you can until paramedics arrive
What happens to the body's sweat rate in the severe stages of heat stroke?
The body stops sweating
(Increased sweating --> decreased blood volume --> decrease circulation --> decreased sweating --> increased core temp)
At what point should you call for an ambulance during a panic attack?
If the person looses consciousness, or has never had a panic attack before
If a person ingests a poisonous substance, do not tell them to _________ up the substance, nor give them anything to ________ unless instructed to do so by poison control.
throw; drink