See also BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION; GUNSHOT
WOUNDS; IMPALEMENT; NECROTIZING FASCIITIS;
PATHOGEN; SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM
ASSESSMENT AND CARE TRIAGE; TRAUMA TO THE EYE.
shock Life-threatening cardiovascular collapse.
Shock occurs when BLOOD PRESSUREdrops below
the level necessary to pump BLOODto the tissues
(peripheral perfusion), depriving them of oxygen
(HYPOXIA). The symptoms of shock may include
- clammy or bluish SKIN(CYANOSIS)
- confusion, anxiety, or disorientation
- diminished or loss of CONSCIOUSNESS
- rapid BREATHING (TACHYPNEA) and HEART RATE
(tachycardia) - difficulty BREATHING(DYSPNEA)
Urgent medical treatment is essential. While
waiting for emergency medical personnel to
arrive, the responder first on the scene should
perform whatever emergency aid measures are
appropriate for the person’s circumstances. It is
also important to keep the person warm and calm
and to have the injured person lie as horizontally
as is possible with the feet and legs elevated about
12 inches to help blood flow back to the HEART.
CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAN RESULT IN SHOCK
ANAPHYLAXIS BURNS
ELECTROCUTION GUNSHOT WOUNDS
HEART ATTACK HEAT STROKE
hemorrhage MULTIPLE TRAUMA
OPEN FRACTURE poisoning
severe DEHYDRATION SPINAL CORD INJURY
TRAUMATIC AMPUTATION TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY(TBI)
See also CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION(CPR);
MULTIPLE TRAUMA; RESCUE BREATHING; SITE AND SITUA-
TION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT AND CARE
TRIAGE.soft tissue injuries Injuries to muscles, tendons,
and ligaments that occur as a result of sudden
excessive tension, causing the tissue to tear or
stretch. Soft tissue injuries are common and may
occur during everyday activities as well as during
athletic activities. Soft tissue injuries tend to hurt
and swell fairly immediately. Ice to the injured
area is the most effective FIRST RESPONSEto reduce
both PAINand swelling. Immobilization, such as
with elastic bandage wraps, splints, or slings, helps
prevent further damage.
In general, a soft tissue injury requires evalua-
tion and treatment from a doctor or other health-
care provider when:- the person cannot bear weight on a lower
extremity or use an upper extremity - swelling significantly distorts the appearance of
the injured part - over-the-counter (OTC) ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS
such as acetaminophen or NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-
INFLAMMATORY DRUGS(NSAIDS) fail to relieve pain
Though most soft tissue injuries are minor and
heal with self-care measures in two to six weeks,
severe injuries may require surgical repair, espe-
cially tears.COMMON SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
ACHILLES TENDON INJURY ANKLE INJURIES
groin pull KNEE INJURIES
MUSCLEtears and pulls SPRAINS AND STRAINSSee also ATHLETIC INJURIES; CLOSED FRACTURE; DIS-
LOCATIONS; FRACTURE; HERNIA; INFLAMMATION; OPEN
FRACTURE; SPRAINS AND STRAINS; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT
AND CARE TRIAGE.Burns, Bleeding, Breaks 367