Last saved by: JRGinder

Chapter 24
Soft-Tissue Injuries
National EMS Education Standard Competencies (1 of 4)
Trauma
Applies fundamental knowledge to provide basic emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely injured patient.
National EMS Education Standard Competencies (2 of 4)
Soft Tissue Trauma
•	Recognition and management of:
–	Wounds
–	Burns
•	Electrical
•	Chemical
•	Thermal
–	Chemicals in the eye and on the skin
National EMS Education Standard Competencies (3 of 4)
•	Pathophysiology, assessment, and management
–	Wounds
•	Avulsions
•	Bite wounds
•	Lacerations
•	Puncture wounds
•	Incisions
National EMS Education Standard Competencies (4 of 4)
•	Pathophysiology, assessment, and management (cont’d)
–	Burns
•	Electrical
•	Chemical
•	Thermal
•	Radiation
–	Crush syndrome
Introduction (1 of 3)
•	Soft-tissue injuries are common.
–	Simple as a cut or scrape
–	Serious as a life-threatening internal injury
•	Do not be distracted by dramatic open wounds.
–	Do not forget airway obstructions.
Introduction (2 of 3)
•	Soft tissues of the body can be injured through a variety of mechanisms:
–	Blunt injury
–	Penetrating injury
–	Barotrauma
–	Burns
Introduction (3 of 3)
•	Soft-tissue trauma is the leading form of injury.
•	Death is often related to hemorrhage or infection.
•	EMTs can teach children and others preventive actions.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (1 of 8)
•	Skin is first line of defense against:
–	External forces
–	Infections
•	Skin is relatively tough, but still susceptible to injury.
–	Simple bruises and abrasions to serious lacerations and amputations
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (2 of 8)
•	In all instances you must:
–	Control bleeding.
–	Prevent further contamination to decrease the risk of infection.
–	Protect wounds from further damage.
–	Apply dressings and bandages to various parts of the body.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (3 of 8)
•	Skin varies in thickness.
–	Thinner in the very young and very old
–	Thinner on the eyelids, lips, and ears than on the scalp, back, soles of feet
–	Thin skin is more easily damaged than thick skin.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (4 of 8)
•	Skin has two principal layers: the epidermis and the dermis.
–	Epidermis is the tough, external layer.
–	Dermis is the inner layer.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (5 of 8)
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (6 of 8)
•	Skin covers all the external surfaces of the body.
•	Bodily openings are lined with mucous membranes.
–	Mucous membranes secrete a watery substance that lubricates the openings.
–	These are wet, whereas skin is dry.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (7 of 8)
•	Skin serves many functions.
–	Keeps pathogens out
–	Keeps water in
–	Assists in temperature regulation
–	Nerves in skin report to brain on environment and sensations.
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin (8 of 8)
•	Any break in the skin allows bacteria to enter and raises the possibilities of:
–	Infection
–	Fluid loss
–	Loss of temperature control
Pathophysiology (1 of 6)
•	Three types of soft-tissue injuries:
–	Closed injuries
•	Damage is beneath skin or mucous membrane.
•	Surface is intact.
–	Open injuries
•	Break in surface of skin or mucous membrane
•	Exposes deeper tissues to contamination 
Pathophysiology (2 of 6)
•	Three types of soft-tissue injuries (cont’d):
–	Burns
•	Damage results from thermal heat, frictional heat, toxic chemicals, electricity, nuclear radiation
Pathophysiology (3 of 6)
•	Pathophysiology of closed and open injuries
–	Cessation of bleeding is the primary concern.
–	The next wound healing stage is inflammation.
–	A new layer of cells is then moved into the damaged area.
Pathophysiology (4 of 6)
•	Pathophysiology of closed and open injuries (cont’d)
–	New blood vessels form.
–	Collagen provides stability to the damaged tissue and joins wound borders.
Pathophysiology (5 of 6)
•	Pathophysiology of burns
–	Severity of a thermal wound correlates directly with:
•	Temperature
•	Concentration
•	Amount of heat energy possessed by the object or substance
•	Duration of exposure
Pathophysiology (6 of 6)
•	Pathophysiology of burns (cont’d)
–	The greater the heat energy, the deeper the wound.
–	Exposure time is an important factor.
–	People reflexively limit heat energy and exposure time.
•	But cannot if unconscious or trapped
Closed Injuries (1 of 4)
•	Characteristics of closed injuries
–	History of blunt trauma
–	Pain at the site of injury
–	Swelling beneath the skin
–	Discoloration
Closed Injuries (2 of 4)
•	A contusion (bruise) causes bleeding beneath the skin but does not break the skin.
–	Caused by blunt forces
–	Buildup of blood produces blue or black ecchymosis.
•	A hematoma is blood collected within damaged tissue or in a body cavity.
Closed Injuries (3 of 4)
•	A crushing injury occurs when a great amount of force is applied to the body.
•	Extent of damage depends on:
–	Amount of force
–	Length of time force is applied
•	When an area of the body is trapped for longer than 4 hours, crush syndrome can develop.
Closed Injuries (4 of 4)
•	Compartment syndrome results from the swelling that occurs whenever tissues are injured.
•	Severe closed injuries can also damage internal organs.
–	Assess all patients with closed injuries for more serious hidden injuries.
Open Injuries (1 of 7)
•	Protective layer of the skin is damaged.
•	Wound is contaminated and may become infected.
•	Four types:
–	Abrasions
–	Lacerations
–	Avulsions
–	Penetrating wounds
Open Injuries (2 of 7)
•	An abrasion is a wound of the superficial layer of the skin.
–	Caused by friction when a body part rubs or scrapes across a rough or hard surface
Open Injuries (3 of 7)
•	A laceration is a jagged cut. 
–	Caused by a sharp object or blunt force that tears the tissue
•	An incision is a sharp, smooth cut.
Open Injuries (4 of 7)
•	An avulsion separates various layers of soft tissue so that they become either completely detached or hang as a flap.
–	Often there is significant bleeding.
–	Never remove an avulsion skin flap.
•	An amputation is an injury in which part of the body is completely severed.
Open Injuries (5 of 7)
•	A penetrating wound is an injury resulting from a sharp, pointed object.
–	Can damage structures deep within the body
Open Injuries (6 of 7)
•	Stabbings and shootings often result in multiple penetrating injuries.
–	Assess the patient carefully to identify all wounds.
–	Count the number of penetrating injuries.
–	Determine the type of gun and rounds fired, and document your care.
–	You may have to testify in court.
Open Injuries (7 of 7)
•	Blast injuries
–	Primary blast injury
•	Damage caused by pressure of explosion
–	Secondary blast injury
•	Damage results from flying debris
–	Tertiary blast injury
•	Victim is thrown by explosion, perhaps into an object
Patient Assessment of Closed and Open Injuries (1 of 2)
•	More difficult to assess a closed injury 
–	You can see an open injury.
•	Consider the possibility of a closed injury when you observe:
–	Bruising
–	Swelling
–	Deformity
–	The patient reporting pain
Patient Assessment of Closed and Open Injuries (2 of 2)
•	Patient assessment steps
–	Scene size-up
–	Primary assessment
–	History taking
–	Secondary assessment
–	Reassessment
Scene Size-up (1 of 2)
•	Scene safety
–	Observe the scene for hazards to yourself, your crew, and the patient.
–	Assess for the potential for violence.
–	Assess for environmental hazards.
–	Take standard precautions.
–	Determine the number of patients.
–	Consider if you need additional resources.
Scene Size-up (2 of 2)
•	Mechanism of injury/nature of illness
–	Look for indicators of the MOI as you assess the scene.
–	The MOI may provide indicators of safety threats.
–	If the scene is unsafe, request additional help early.
Primary Assessment (1 of 4)
•	Form a general impression.
–	Look for indicators to alert you to the seriousness of the patient’s condition.
–	Do not be distracted from looking for more serious hidden injuries.
–	Check for responsiveness using the AVPU scale.
Primary Assessment (2 of 4)
•	Airway and breathing
–	Ensure that the patient has a clear and patent airway.
–	Protect the patient from further spinal injury.
–	Assess the patient for adequate breathing.
–	Inspect and palpate the chest for DCAP-BTLS.
Primary Assessment (3 of 4)
•	Circulation
–	Assess the patient’s pulse rate and quality.
–	Determine the skin condition, color, and temperature.
–	Check the capillary refill time.
–	You may need to treat for shock.
–	If visible significant bleeding is seen, you must begin the steps to control it.
Primary Assessment (4 of 4)
•	Transport decision
–	Immediately transport in these cases:
•	Poor initial general impression
•	Altered level of consciousness
•	Dyspnea
•	Abnormal vital signs
•	Shock
•	Severe pain
History Taking (1 of 2)
•	Investigate the chief complaint.
–	Obtain a medical history.
–	Obtain a SAMPLE history.
•	Using OPQRST may provide some background on isolated extremity injuries.
–	If the patient is unresponsive, attempt to obtain the history from other sources.
History Taking (2 of 2)
•	Typical signs of an open injury include:
–	Bleeding
–	Break(s) in the skin
–	Shock
–	Hemorrhage
–	Disfigurement or loss of a body part
Secondary Assessment (1 of 4)
•	Physical examinations
–	Is the patient in a tripod position?
–	What is the skin’s color and condition?
–	Are there any signs of increased respiratory efforts?
•	Retractions
•	Nasal flaring
•	Pursed lip breathing
•	Use of accessory muscles
Secondary Assessment (2 of 4)
•	Physical examinations (cont’d)
–	Listen for air movement and breath sounds.
–	Assess pulse rate and quality.
–	Determine the skin condition, color, and temperature.
–	Check the capillary refill time.

Secondary Assessment (3 of 4)
•	Physical examinations (cont’d)
–	Assess the neurologic system.
–	Assess the musculoskeletal system with a full-body scan.
–	Assess all anatomic regions.
Secondary Assessment (4 of 4)
•	Vital signs
–	You must reassess the vital signs to identify how quickly the patient’s condition is changing.
–	Use appropriate monitoring devices to quantify:
•	Oxygenation 
•	Circulatory status
•	Blood pressure
Reassessment (1 of 3)
•	Repeat the primary assessment.
•	Reassess vital signs and the chief complaint.
•	Assess all bandaging frequently.
•	Identify and treat changes in the patient’s condition.
Reassessment (2 of 3)
•	Interventions
–	Assess and manage all threats to the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
–	Expose all wounds, cleanse the wound surface, control bleeding, and be prepared to treat for shock.
–	Extremities that are painful, swollen, or deformed should be splinted.
Reassessment (3 of 3)
•	Communication and documentation
–	Description of the MOI
–	Position in which you found the patient
–	Amount of blood loss
–	Location and description of any soft-tissue injuries or other wounds
–	Size and depth of the injury
–	How you treated the injuries
Emergency Medical Care for Closed Injuries (1 of 3)
•	No special emergency care for small contusions
•	Soft-tissue injuries may look rather dramatic.
–	Still focus on airway and breathing first
–	You may have to assist ventilations with a bag-mask device.
Emergency Medical Care for Closed Injuries (2 of 3)
•	Treat closed soft-tissue injury using the RICES mnemonic:
–	Rest
–	Ice
–	Compression
–	Elevation
–	Splinting
Emergency Medical Care for Closed Injuries (3 of 3)
•	Signs of developing shock:
–	Anxiety or agitation
–	Changes in mental status
–	Increased heart rate
–	Increased respiratory rate
–	Diaphoresis
–	Cool or clammy skin
–	Decreased blood pressure
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (1 of 12)
•	Before caring for the patient, follow standard precautions.
•	Wear gloves and eye protection.
–	Wear a gown and a mask if necessary.
•	Make sure the airway is open and administer high-flow oxygen.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (2 of 12)
•	Control life-threatening bleeding using:
–	Direct, even pressure and elevation
–	Pressure dressings and/or splints
–	Tourniquets
•	Follow the steps in Skill Drill 24-1 to control bleeding from an extremity.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (3 of 12)
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (4 of 12)
•	All open wounds are assumed to be contaminated and present a risk of infection.
•	Often, you can better control bleeding from an open soft-tissue wound by splinting the extremity, even if there is no fracture.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (5 of 12)
•	Abdominal wounds
–	An open wound in the abdominal cavity may expose internal organs.
–	The organs may even protrude through the wound, an injury called evisceration.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (6 of 12)
•	Abdominal wounds (cont’d)
–	Cover the wound with sterile gauze.
–	Secure with an occlusive dressing.
–	Keep the organs moist and warm.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (7 of 12)
•	Impaled objects
–	To treat an impaled object, follow the steps in Skill Drill 24-2.
–	Only remove an impaled object when:
•	The object is in the cheek and obstructs breathing.
•	The object is in the chest and interferes with CPR.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (8 of 12)
•	Neck injuries
–	Open neck injuries can be life threatening.
–	Open veins may suck in air and cause cardiac arrest.
–	Cover the wound with an occlusive dressing.
–	Apply pressure but do not compress both carotid arteries at the same time.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (9 of 12)
•	Small-animal bites
–	A small animal’s mouth is heavily contaminated with virulent bacteria.
–	Wounds may require:
•	Antibiotics
•	Tetanus prophylaxis
•	Suturing
–	Bites should be evaluated by a physician.
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (10 of 12)
•	A major concern is the spread of rabies.
–	Acute, potentially fatal viral infection of the central nervous system
–	Can affect all warm-blooded animals
–	Transmitted through biting or licking an open wound
–	Prevented by a series of special vaccine injections
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (11 of 12)
•	Human bites
–	The human mouth contains an exceptionally wide range of virulent bacteria and viruses.
–	Regard any human bite that has penetrated the skin as a very serious injury.
–	Can result in a serious, spreading infection
Emergency Medical Care for Open Injuries (12 of 12)
•	Emergency treatment:
–	Apply a dry, sterile dressing.
–	Promptly immobilize the area with a splint or bandage.
–	Provide transport to the ED.
Burns (1 of 2)
•	Account for over 10,000 deaths a year
•	Among the most serious and painful of all injuries
•	A burn occurs when the body receives more radiant energy than it can absorb.
–	Sources of this energy include heat, toxic chemicals, and electricity.
Burns (2 of 2)
•	Always perform a complete assessment to determine whether there are other serious injuries.
Complications of Burns (1 of 2)
•	When a person is burned, the skin that acts as a barrier is destroyed.
•	The victim is now at high risk for:
–	Infection
–	Hypothermia
–	Hypovolemia
–	Shock
Complications of Burns (2 of 2)
•	Burns to the airway are of significant importance.
•	Circumferential burns of the chest can compromise breathing.
•	Circumferential burns of the extremity can lead to neurovascular compromise and irreversible damage.
Burn Severity (1 of 5)
•	Burn severity depends on:
–	Depth of burn
–	Extent of burn
–	Critical areas involved
•	Face, upper airway, hands, feet, genitalia
–	Preexisting medical conditions
–	Patient younger than 5 or older than 55
Burn Severity (2 of 5)
•	Depth
–	Superficial (first-degree) burns
•	Only the top layer of skin
–	Partial-thickness (second-degree) burns
•	Epidermis and some portion of the dermis
•	Blisters are present.
–	Full-thickness (third-degree) burns
•	Extend through all skin layers.
Burn Severity (3 of 5)
Burn Severity (4 of 5)
•	Extent
–	Can be estimated using the rule of nines
–	Divides the body into sections, each representing approximately 9% of the total body surface area
–	Proportions differ for infants, children, and adults
Burn Severity (5 of 5)
Chemical Burns (1 of 4)
•	Can occur whenever a toxic substance contacts the body
•	Generally caused by strong acids or strong alkalis
•	The eyes are particularly vulnerable.
Chemical Burns (2 of 4)
•	The severity of the burn is directly related to the:
–	Type of chemical
–	Concentration of the chemical
–	Duration of the exposure
•	Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
Chemical Burns (3 of 4)
•	Management
–	Remove any chemical from the patient.
–	Always brush dry chemicals off the skin and clothing before flushing with water.
–	Remove the patient’s clothing.
Chemical Burns (4 of 4)
•	Management (cont’d)
–	For liquid chemicals, immediately begin to flush the burned area with lots of water.
–	Continue flooding the area for 15 to 20 minutes after the patient says the burning pain has stopped.
–	If the patient’s eye has been burned, hold the eyelid open while flooding the eye.
Electrical Burns (1 of 5)
•	May be the result of contact with high- or low-voltage electricity
•	For electricity to flow, there must be a complete circuit between the source and the ground.
–	Any substance that prevents this circuit is called an insulator.
–	Any substance that allows a current to flow is called a conductor.
Electrical Burns (2 of 5)
•	The human body is a good conductor.
•	The type of electric current, magnitude of current, and voltage have effects on the seriousness of the burn.
•	Your safety is of particular importance.
–	Never attempt to remove someone from an electrical source unless you are specially trained to do so.
Electrical Burns (3 of 5)
•	A burn injury appears where the electricity enters and exits the body.
•	Two dangers:
–	There may be a large amount of deep tissue injury.
–	The patient may go into cardiac or respiratory arrest from the electric shock.
Electrical Burns (4 of 5)
Electrical Burns (5 of 5)
•	Management
–	If indicated, begin CPR on the patient and apply an AED.
–	Be prepared to defibrillate if necessary.
–	Give supplemental oxygen and monitor.
–	Treat soft-tissue injuries with dry, sterile dressings.
–	Provide prompt transport.
Thermal Burns (1 of 3)
•	Caused by heat
•	Most commonly, they are caused by scalds or an open flame.
–	A flame burn is very often a deep burn.
–	Hot liquids produce scald injuries.
•	Coming in contact with hot objects produces a contact burn.
Thermal Burns (2 of 3)
•	A steam burn can produce a topical burn.
•	A flash burn is produced by an explosion.
–	May briefly expose a person to very intense heat
–	Lightning strikes can cause a flash burn.
Thermal Burns (3 of 3)
•	Management
–	Stop the burning source, cool the burned area, and remove all jewelry.
–	Increased exposure time will increase damage to the patient.
–	All patients should have a dry dressing applied to:
•	Maintain body temperature
•	Prevent infection
•	Provide comfort
Inhalation Burns (1 of 4)
•	Can occur when burning takes place in enclosed spaces without ventilation
–	Upper airway damage is often associated with the inhalation of superheated gases.
–	Lower airway damage is more often associated with the inhalation of chemicals and particulate matter.
Inhalation Burns (2 of 4)
•	You may encounter severe upper airway swelling, requiring intervention immediately.
–	Consider requesting ALS backup.
•	The combustion process produces a variety of toxic gases.
Inhalation Burns (3 of 4)
•	Carbon monoxide intoxication should be considered whenever a group of people in the same place all report a headache or nausea.
•	Management
–	First ensure your own safety and the safety of your coworkers.
Inhalation Burns (4 of 4)
•	Management (cont’d)
–	Prehospital treatment for a patient with suspected hydrogen cyanide poisoning includes decontamination and supportive care.
–	Care for any toxic gas exposure includes:
•	Recognition
•	Identification
•	Supportive treatment
Radiation Burns (1 of 4)
•	Potential threats include:
–	Incidents related to the use and transportation of radioactive isotopes
–	Intentionally released radioactivity in terrorist attacks
•	You must determine if there has been a radiation exposure and then whether ongoing exposure continues to exist.
Radiation Burns (2 of 4)
•	Three types of ionizing radiation:
–	Alpha
•	Little penetrating energy, easily stopped by the skin
–	Beta
•	Greater penetrating power, but blocked by simple protective clothing
–	Gamma
•	Very penetrating, easily passes through the body and solid materials
Radiation Burns (3 of 4)
•	Most ionizing radiation accidents involve gamma radiation, or x-rays.
•	Management
–	Patients with a radioactive source on their body must be initially cared for by a HazMat responder.
–	Irrigate open wounds.
–	Notify the emergency department.
Radiation Burns (4 of 4)
•	Management (cont’d)
–	Identify the radioactive source and the length of the patient’s exposure to it.
–	Limit your duration of exposure.
–	Increase your distance from the source.
–	Attempt to place shielding between yourself and the sources of gamma radiation.
Patient Assessment of Burns 
(1 of 2)
•	When you are assessing a burn, it is important for you to classify the victim’s burns.
•	Classification involves determining the:
–	Source of the burn
–	Depth of the burn
–	Severity
Patient Assessment of Burns 
(2 of 2)
•	Patient assessment steps
–	Scene size-up
–	Primary assessment
–	History taking
–	Secondary assessment
–	Reassessment
Scene Size-up
•	Scene safety
–	Observe the scene for hazards and safety threats.
–	Ensure that the factors that led to the patient’s burn injury do not pose a hazard.
•	Mechanism of injury/nature of illness
–	Determine the type of burn that has been sustained and the MOI.
Primary Assessment (1 of 5)
•	Begin with a rapid scan.
•	Form a general impression.
–	Be suspicious of clues that may indicate abuse.
–	Consider the need for manual spinal stabilization.
–	Check for responsiveness using the AVPU scale.
Primary Assessment (2 of 5)
•	Airway and breathing
–	Ensure that the patient has a clear and patent airway.
–	Be alert to signs that the patient has inhaled hot gases or vapors:
•	Singed facial hair
•	Soot present in and around the airway
Primary Assessment (3 of 5)
•	Airway and breathing (cont’d)
–	Copious secretions and frequent coughing may indicate a respiratory burn.
–	Quickly assess for adequate breathing.
–	Inspect and palpate the chest wall for 
DCAP-BTLS.
Primary Assessment (4 of 5)
•	Circulation
–	Assess the pulse rate and quality.
–	Determine perfusion based on the patient’s skin condition, color, temperature, and capillary refill time.
–	Control significant bleeding.
–	Assess for shock.
Primary Assessment (5 of 5)
•	Transport decision
–	Consider quickly transporting a patient who has:
•	An airway or breathing problem
•	Significant burn injuries
•	Significant external bleeding
•	Signs and symptoms of internal bleeding
–	Consider a rendezvous with ALS providers.
History Taking (1 of 3)
•	Investigate the chief complaint.
–	Be alert for signs and symptoms of other injuries due to the MOI.
–	Typical signs of a burn are:
•	Pain
•	Redness
•	Swelling
•	Blisters
•	Charring
History Taking (2 of 3)
•	Investigate the chief complaint (cont’d).
–	Regardless of the type of burn injury, it is important for you to:
•	Stop the burning process.
•	Apply dressings to prevent contamination.
•	Treat the patient for shock.
History Taking (3 of 3)
•	SAMPLE history
–	Along with the SAMPLE history, also ask the following questions:
•	Are you having any difficulty breathing?
•	Are you having any difficulty swallowing?
•	Are you having any pain?
–	Check whether the patient has an emergency medical identification device.
Secondary Assessment (1 of 2)
•	Physical examinations
–	Perform a full-body scan.
–	Make a rough estimate, using the rule of nines, of the extent of the burned area.
–	Determine the classification of the burn.
–	Determine the severity of the burn.
–	Package the patient for transport.
Secondary Assessment (2 of 2)
•	Physical examinations (cont’d)
–	Assessment of the respiratory system involves looking, listening, and feeling.
–	Assess the patient’s neurologic system.
–	Assess the musculoskeletal system.
–	Determining an early set of vital signs will help you to know how your patient is tolerating his or her injuries.
Reassessment (1 of 3)
•	Repeat the primary assessment and reassess the patient’s vital signs.
•	Reassess the chief complaint.
•	Reevaluate interventions
–	Stop the burning process.
–	Assess and treat breathing.
–	Support circulation.
Reassessment (2 of 3)
•	Reassess interventions (cont’d)
–	Provide rapid transport.
–	Oxygen is mandatory for inhalation burns but is also helpful in patients with smaller burns.
–	If the patient has signs of hypoperfusion, treat aggressively for shock and provide rapid transport.
Reassessment (3 of 3)
•	Communication and documentation
–	Provide hospital personnel with a description of how the burn occurred.
–	Include the extent of the burns.
•	Amount of body surface area involved
•	Depth of the burn
•	Location of the burn
–	Document if special areas are involved.
Emergency Medical Care 
for Burns
•	Stop the burning process.
•	Prevent additional injury.
•	Follow the steps in Skill Drill 24-3.
Dressing and Bandaging (1 of 2)
•	All wounds require bandaging.
–	Sometimes splints can help control bleeding and provide firm support for dressing.
–	There are many different types of dressings and bandages.
Dressing and Bandaging (2 of 2)
•	Dressings and bandages have three functions:
–	To control bleeding
–	To protect the wound from further damage
–	To prevent further contamination and infection
Sterile Dressings (1 of 2)
•	Most wounds will be covered by:
–	Universal dressings
–	Conventional 4″  4″ and 4″  8″ gauze pads
–	Assorted small adhesive-type dressings and soft self-adherent roller dressings
•	Universal dressings are ideal for covering large open wounds.
Sterile Dressings (2 of 2)
•	Gauze pads are appropriate for smaller wounds.
•	Adhesive-type dressings are useful for minor wounds.
•	Occlusive dressings prevent air and liquids from entering (or exiting) the wound.
Bandages (1 of 3)
•	To keep dressings in place during transport, you can use:
–	Soft roller bandages
–	Rolls of gauze
–	Triangular bandages
–	Adhesive tape
•	The self-adherent, soft roller bandages are easiest to use.
Bandages (2 of 3)
•	Adhesive tape holds small dressings in place and helps to secure larger dressings.
•	Do not use elastic bandages to secure dressings.
–	The bandage may become a tourniquet and cause further damage.
Bandages (3 of 3)
•	Splints are useful in stabilizing broken extremities.
–	Can be used with dressings to help control bleeding from soft-tissue injuries
•	If a wound continues to bleed despite the use of direct pressure, quickly proceed to the use of a tourniquet.
Summary (1 of 6)
•	The skin protects the body by keeping pathogens out, water in, and assisting in body temperature regulation.
•	There are three types of soft-tissue injuries: closed injuries, open injuries, and burns.
Summary (2 of 6)
•	Closed soft-tissue injuries are characterized by a history of blunt trauma, pain at the site of injury, swelling beneath the skin, and discoloration. 
•	Treat a closed soft-tissue injury with the mnemonic RICES: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Splinting.
Summary (3 of 6)
•	Open injuries differ from closed injuries in that the protective layer of skin is damaged. Abrasions, lacerations, avulsions, and penetrating wounds are classified as open injuries. 
Summary (4 of 6)
•	The assessment of an open injury is generally easier than the assessment of a closed injury because you can see the injury.
•	Burns are serious and painful soft-tissue injuries caused by heat (thermal), chemicals, electricity, or radiation.
Summary (5 of 6)
•	Burns are classified primarily by the depth and extent of the burn injury and the body area involved.
•	Burns are considered to be superficial, partial-thickness, or full-thickness based on the depth involved.
Summary (6 of 6)
•	Small animal and human bites can lead to serious infection and must be evaluated by a physician. Small animals can carry rabies.
•	Dressings and bandages are designed to control bleeding, protect the wound from further damage, prevent further contamination, and prevent infection.
Review
•	A young male was struck in the forearm with a baseball and complains of pain to the area. Slight swelling and ecchymosis are present, but no external bleeding. What type of injury does this describe?
•	abrasion
•	contusion
•	hematoma
•	avulsion