Shock Management
What’s the first step in controlling external bleeding?
→ Apply direct pressure.
What is the main reason to splint a fracture?
→ Prevent movement and reduce further injury.
What’s the purpose of spinal motion restriction (SMR)?
→ To prevent spinal cord damage during movement.
What does “ABCDE” stand for in trauma assessment?
→ Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure.
This is when the abdomen feels hard like a board, often a sign of internal bleeding.
(What is rigidity?)
What type of bleeding is bright red and spurting?
→ Arterial bleeding.
When must you check distal pulses during splinting?
→ Before and after splinting.
A patient has head trauma and is vomiting. What position should they be in?
→ Lateral recumbent with spinal precautions, if airway compromised.
Why is it important to expose and examine the patient in trauma?
→ To find hidden injuries like bleeding or fractures. |
If you see organs sticking out of the abdomen after trauma, it’s called this.
(What is evisceration?)
When should a tourniquet be applied?
→ When direct pressure fails on limb bleeding.
What is a traction splint used for?
→ Mid-shaft femur fracture.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale used for?
→ Assessing level of consciousness.
What should you do if you find heavy bleeding during your assessment?
→ Apply direct pressure or use a tourniquet immediately.
This type of pain may show up in the shoulder even though the injury is in the abdomen.
(What is referred pain?)
Where should a tourniquet be placed in relation to the wound?
→ 2–3 inches above the wound, not over a joint.
What is the risk of not immobilizing a fractured bone?
→ Damage to nerves, blood vessels, or further tissue.
Name two signs of increased intracranial pressure.
→ Altered LOC, unequal pupils, bradycardia, hypertension, vomiting.
What is the first thing you do after ensuring scene safety and putting on gloves?
Check if the patient is responsive and open their airway.
You should never do this to a penetrating object in the abdomen.
(What is remove it?)
What is the term for bleeding inside the body that is not visible?
→ Internal hemorrhage.
What should you never do with deformities?
Try to realign the bone
What’s Cushing’s Triad and what does it indicate?
Bradycardia, irregular breathing, and a widening gap between the top and bottom blood pressure numbers usually means the brain is swelling and pushing down (herniating).
👉 That combo of signs is called Cushing’s Triad — and it’s a late, very serious sign of a head injury.
When should you call for rapid transport (load and go)
If the patient has life-threatening injuries like uncontrolled bleeding, breathing problems, or low responsiveness. |
A large pulsating lump in the abdomen could mean this life-threatening condition.
(What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?)