Soft Tissue Injury

WOUND is a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body either internal/external.

Two Classifications Of Wounds
Closed Wound
Causes:
- Blunt object results in contusions/bruises.
- Application of external forces. Signs and symptoms:
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Hematoma
- Uncontrolled restlessness
- Thirst
- Symptoms of shock
- Vomiting/cough up of blood
- Passage of blood in the urine/stool
- Signs of blood along nose, mouth and ears.
First aid management
- Ice application
- Splinting
Open Wound
Classification of open wound:
- Puncture
- Abrasion
- Laceration
- Avulsion
- Incision Dangers
- Hemorrhage
- Shock
- Infection
Kinds of bleeding
Arterial bleeding - bright red
Venous bleeding - dark red
Capillary bleeding - red
FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
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Wound with severe bleeding

- Cover the wound using a dressing and secure with bandage.
- Control the bleeding
- Care for shock
- Consult a physician
Wound with minimal bleeding
- Clean the wound with soap and water
- Apply mild antiseptics
- Cover wound with dressing/bandage
BURNS
- An injury involving the skin, including muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels.
This result from heat, chemical, electricity, or solar and other forms of radiation.
Factors To Determine
Seriousness Of Burns Depth
Depth
- 1st degree burns
- 2nd degree burns
- 3rd degree burns
-

The extent to the affected body surface area

Location of the burns
Victims, age and medical conditions.

Second Degree
Minor - less than 15% of the body
Moderate - 15-30% of the body
Severe - 30% of the body
Third Degree
Minor - 2% of the body
Moderate - 2-10% of the body
Severe - 10% of the body
Types Of Burns Injuries
Thermal Burns not all thermal burns are cause by flames. Contact with hot objects,
flammable vapor that ignites and cause a flash or explosion, and steams or hot liquid
are other common cause of burns.
Care For Thermal Burns:

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Care Of 1st And 2nd Degree Burns

- Relieve pain by immersing the area in cold water or applying a wet, cold cloth. If
water is unavailable use only cold liquid you drink to reduce the burned skin
temperature.
- Cover the burn with dry, non-sticking, sterile dressing or a clean cloth.
Care Of 3rd Degree Burns
- Cover the burn with a dry, non-sticking sterile dressing or a clean cloth.
- Treat the victim for shock by elevating the legs and keeping the victim with a clean
sheet or blanket.
Chemical Burns chemical will continue to cause tissue destruction until the chemical
agent is removed.
Care For Chemical Burns:
- Immediately remove the chemical by flushing with water.
- Remove the victims contaminated clothing while flushing with water.
- Flush for 2 mins, or longer. Let the victim wash with mild soap before a final rinse.
- Cover the burned area with a dressing, for large areas use clean pillow case.
- If the chemical is in the eye, flood it for at least 20 mins, using low pressure.
- Seek medical attention immediately for all chemical burns.
Electrical burns exposure to electrical current depends on the type of current, the
voltage, the area of the body and the duration of contact.
Care For Electrical Burns:
- Unplug, disconnect or turn off the power. If that is impossible, call the power
company for help.
- Check the (ABC) airway, breathing, circulation. Provide RB and CPR if necessary.
- If the victim fell check for spinal injury.
- Treat victim for shock
- Seek medical attention immediately. Electrical injuries are treated in burns centers.
OTHER SOFT TISSUE INJURIES:
NOSE BLEEDING
First Aid:
- Let the patient sit down with the head slightly titled forward.
- Pinch all soft parts of the nose together between the thumb and 2 fingers with steady
pressure of 5 minutes.
- Apply an ice pack over the nose and neck.

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