Pediatric Trauma

1
Pediatric Trauma

• School - Related
• Injuries

2
Objectives

• Define the term trauma
• Recognize potential injuries based on mechanism
• Identify first aid interventions for specific
  injuries
• List injury prevention strategies and their
  effectiveness

3
Trauma

• Injury to human tissues and organs as a result of
  the transfer of energy from the environment
• Energy that is beyond the bodys resilience to
  tolerate

4
Patterns of Injury

• Running/Tripping
• Wrist fractures/sprains
• Ankle fractures/sprains
• Elbow, knee abrasions, lacerations
• Bruises to extremities

• Falls
• Extremity fractures/sprains
• Contusions, lacerations to head/face
• Head injuries
• Internal injuries

5
Patterns of Injury

• Sports
• Extremity fractures/sprains
• Abdominal injuries
• Head injuries
• Abrasions, contusions, lacerations

• Child Abuse
• Injury pattern doesnt fit the stated mechanism
• Child is accident-prone
• Numerous absences, behavior problems

6
First Aid

• ABCs
• Airway open, no obstructions
• Breathing quality, rate, depth
• Circulation pulse rate, skin color, capillary
  refill

7
Interventions

• Control Bleeding
• Direct pressure on wound
• Pressure at pressure points
• Tourniquet LAST RESORT!!!

8
Interventions

• Amputations
• Control bleeding
• Package amputated part correctly
• Wrap in moist gauze
• Place in plastic bag
• Place bag in another bag with icy slush

9
Interventions

• Stabilize Extremities
• Splint in neutral anatomical position
• Elevate extremity, apply ice
• Monitor distal pulse

10
Interventions

• Head Injuries
• Maintain airway
• If any LOC, maintain C-spine stabilization
• Monitor level of consciousness

11
Interventions

• Stab Wounds/ Gun Shot Wounds
• Call 911
• Control bleeding if possible
• Lay pt down, legs elevated, keep warm
• Monitor level of consciousness

12
Heat Injuries

• Heat Exhaustion
• Thirst
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Tachycardia
• Diaphoresis

• Heat Stroke
• Altered mental status
• Loss of coordination
• Tachycardia, tachypnea
• May have dry skin, although 50 will be
  diaphoretic

13
Interventions

• Heat Exhaustion
• Cool, quiet place
• Remove restrictive clothing
• Monitor temp
• PO fluids if alert

• Heat Stroke
• Call 911
• Cool, quiet place
• Remove restrictive clothing
• Protect airway
• No PO fluids if altered mental status

14
Emergency Yes or No?

• Injuries requiring immediate medical attention
• Lacerations pumping bright, red blood
• Fractures/sprains without a distal pulse
• Any loss of consciousness
• Loss of motor or sensory ability
• Nurse assessment

15
To Move or Not to Move?

• Unconscious
• Airway not patent
• Patient in a dangerous situation
• Patient requires further assessment

16
Case Presentations

• School bus injury
• Soccer injury
• Football injury

17
Injury Prevention Control

• Technological
• Automatic seat belts
• Anti-lock brakes
• Well-constructed play equipment

18
What Can You Do?

• Write to manufacturers about their products
• Make suggestions for improvements
• Encourage development of safety
• features
• Organize a boycott of unsafe products

19
Injury Prevention Control

• Legislative
• Seat belt laws
• Helmet laws
• Passengers in bed of pick-up

20
What Can You Do?

• Write to your legislator and voice your concerns
  about child safety issues
• Participate in a safety organization or form your
  own group
• VOTE!!!!!!!!

21
Injury Prevention Control

• Education
• School health safety fairs
• Local safety programs
• Media coverage

22
What Can You Do?

• Organize a local health safety fair
• Speak at local civic groups about pediatric
  injury prevention
• Start a safety newsletter or internet website