| 1. |
Various
Types Of Wound
Wounds are injuries to our skin or tissues. Wounds often bleed and
if treated improperly bleeding will result in deterioration of the
injury or infection.
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a) |
Incised
Wound
The skin tissue is cut evenly. If the major vessels are injured, heavy
bleeding will occur.
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b) |
Lacerated
Wound
The wound has ragged edge and bleeding is caused by laceration of
the blood vessels. This type of wound is usually covered with dirt,
mud or dust.
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c) |
Contused
Wound
The inner skin tissues are bleeding and the epidermis will change
colour.
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d) |
Punctured
Wounds
Wounds are generally small but they can be so deep that inner skin
tissues will be damaged.
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e) |
Gun
Shot Wounds
The bullet may remain in the body or pass through it. Therefore it
is possible to have one or more wounds. A bullet entering the body
will cause damage to our inner tissues, organs or the spine.
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| 2. |
Symptoms Of Bleeding
Bleeding occurs when blood vessels are damaged or torn. Bleeding can
be divided into three main categories: arterial bleeding; venous bleeding
and capillary bleeding. When heavy bleeding occurs, the injured will
have these clinical features: pulse accelerating but weakening, blood
pressure dropping, feeling thirsty, skin perspiring, cold and pale,
feeling feeble and weak, feeling restless, respiration shallow and
quick, showing signs of air hunger and cyanosis.
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| 3. |
Treatment
For Bleeding
The ways to stop bleeding include direct pressure method and indirect
pressure method. Direct pressure and indirect pressure methods are
most commonly used in first aid. When using the direct pressure method,
the injured should lie down and rest with the injured limb cushioned
above the ground (except for fracture victims). Inspect the wound,
cover and bandage it with dressing. Exert pressure but avoid bandaging
it too tightly by which may impair blood circulation to the end of
the limb. If there is any foreign body or broken bone protruding from
the wound, pressure may be exerted on the edge of the wound. If the
direct pressure method cannot control bleeding, apply pressure over
the arterial pressure points to facilitate blood coagulation. Press
for 5 to 10 minutes and never exceed 15 minutes.
If there is any foreign body in the wound, rinse away any loose bit
on the surface with water. Then treat the wound as if there were no
foreign body. Do not try to remove any foreign body which is inserted
deep into the wound. Place gauze with a hole in the middle over the
wound and apply a ring pad around the foreign body or surround the
wound with dressing built up like a dam before finishing up with bandage.
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| 4. |
Nose
Bleeding
Nose bleeding results from injury of the blood vessels inside the
nose. Nose picking, sneezing, forceful nose rubbing or trauma to the
nose can cause damage to the nasal blood vessels. Nasal polyp and
nasopharyngeal carcinoma can also cause heavy nose bleeding. If the
injured person swallows the blood, it will cause vomiting or difficulty
in breathing.
Clinical Features :
- Blood oozing from nostrils.
- In the case of basilar cranial fracture, there will be cerebrospinal
fluid in the blood.
Treatment
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(1) |
Sit
the injured up with his head dropping forward.
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(2) |
Ask
the injured to breathe with his mouth. Then forcefully pinch the soft
part below his nasal bone and apply a cold dressing to the forehead.
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(3) |
Ask
the injured not to swallow the blood lodged in his throat.
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(4) |
Loosen
his tight clothing.
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(5) |
If
bleeding continues after kneading his nose for 10 minutes, continue
to knead his nose for another 10 minutes.
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(6) |
Ask the injured not to blow his nose within four hours after bleeding
stops.
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(7) |
If
nose bleeding still continues, send the injured to hospital immediately.
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| 5. |
Treatment
of Amputations
If the limb of the injured has been amputated, the first aid personnel
must control bleeding and preserve the broken limb which should be
taken to hospital together with the injured for rejoining operation.
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(1) |
Stop
bleeding with treatment for external bleeding.
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(2) |
Place
the amputated limb in a clean plastic bag. Then fill another container
such as a plastic case or plastic bag with ice cubes and put the amputated
limb inside. Do not soak the amputated limb in or wash it with water.
Do not allow the amputated limb to have direct contact with ice cubes.
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(3) |
Send
the injured to hospital together with the amputated limb.
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