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Caring for Injuries to the Head and Spine

Caring for Injuries to the Head and Spine. Topics. Injuries to the Head Injuries to the Spine. Injuries to the Head. Cranium Central nervous system Open head injury Closed head injury . Quick Check.

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Caring for Injuries to the Head and Spine

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  1. Caring for Injuries to the Head and Spine

  2. Topics • Injuries to the Head • Injuries to the Spine

  3. Injuries to the Head • Cranium • Central nervous system • Open head injury • Closed head injury

  4. Quick Check • Which part of the body is responsible for regulating many of the body’s involuntary functions?

  5. Injuries to the Head • Signs and symptoms of head injury: • Abnormal vital signs and breathing • Nausea and vomiting • Scalp bleeding • Deformity • AMS • Convulsions • Combative behavior • Repeating questions

  6. Injuries to the Head • Priorities of care for head injuries: • Primary assessment • Rescue breaths if indicated • Control bleeding • Manual stabilization • Oxygen • Monitor

  7. Injuries to the Spine • Cervical spine (7) • Thoracic spine (12) • Lumbar spine (5) • Sacral spine (5) • Coccyx (4 Fused)

  8. Injuries to the Spine • Nervous system: • Central nervous system • Peripheral nervous system

  9. Injuries to the Spine • Mechanism of injury: • Motor vehicle collision • Fall • Complaints • AMS • >65 years • Head/neck injury

  10. Injuries to the Spine • Signs and symptoms: • Pain • Deformity • Numbness, weakness, tingling • Loss of sensation • Paralysis • Incontinence • Priapism

  11. Injuries to the Spine • Priorities of care: • Primary assessment • Manual stabilization • Patient assessment • Oxygen

  12. Injuries to the Spine • Manual stabilization: • Supine person: • Position yourself • Introduce yourself • Grasp the head • Reassure • Monitor

  13. Injuries to the Spine • Manual stabilization: • Seated person: • Position yourself • Introduce yourself • Grasp the head • Reassure • Monitor

  14. Injuries to the Spine • Performing a log roll

  15. Review Question • What is the most important initial step that you can take when caring for a person with a suspected spinal injury? • Assess the person for circulation, sensation, and movement • Determine the mechanism of injury • Transport the person to the nearest trauma center • Manually stabilize the head and neck

  16. Review Question • Which one of the following mechanisms of injury would cause you to suspect spinal injury? • Circular saw amputation of the fingers • Fall from an anchored speedboat • Bicycle crash • Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the hip

  17. Review Question • You are requested to assist with an unresponsive person who was found face down on a hotel lobby floor. How would you choose to move the person into the recovery position? • Two person extremity lift • Three person log roll • With a stair chair • It would be better to wait for EMS

  18. Review Question • What are the two main components of the central nervous system? • Peripheral and central nerves • Discs and vertebrae • Brain and spine • Spine and nerves

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