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Lesson

Open Wounds

By CaroneFitness

Open Wounds

Types of Open Wounds

An open wound is any soft tissue injury that breaks the skin. Open wounds can be minor or major.

There are many types of open wounds, including:

• Abrasions• Lacerations• Avulsions• Punctures

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Open Wounds

Types of Open Wounds

An abrasion is a scrape, such as carpet burn or road rash. Small abrasions are not usually serious, but can be painful.

The pain occurs because a scrape can expose many nerve endings.

Open Wounds

Types of Open Wounds

A laceration is a cut, usually with a sharp object. Often the edges of the cut stay in their normal position, but sometimes they gape open.

Lacerations may be very small or they may be large. Lacerations can include skin, fat, muscle and other organs.

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Open Wounds

Types of Open Wounds

An avulsion is a tearing of the soft tissue. Amputation is a type of avulsion where the affected body part is completely torn away from the body.

Avulsions, especially amputations, are serious medical emergencies.

Open Wounds

Types of Open Wounds

A puncture occurs when something pierces the skin. It may also penetrate other tissues. Sometimes the puncturing object remains in the wound.

Examples of puncture wounds include:

• Stepping on a nail• Sliver• Gunshot wound• Stab wound

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Open Wounds

Care for Minor Open Wounds

There are some general principles and application guidelines to remember when caring for minor wounds where no emergency condition exists.

Open Wounds

Care for Minor Open Wounds

1. General Principle: Stop Bleeding

Application: Apply direct pressure with a clean dressing and the palm of your gloved hand. If there is no clean dressing apply direct pressure without a dressing.

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Open Wounds

Care for Minor Open Wounds

2. General Principle: Prevent Infection

Application:

• Clean wound by washing with soap and water

• Apply antibiotic ointment if the person has no allergies to it

• If the person has not had a tetanus shot recently, talk to your healthcare provider to determine if a shot is needed (for deep wounds and punctures)

Open Wounds

Care for Minor Open Wounds

Talk to your healthcare provider if you suspect that the wound may be infected:

• Appears red around the edges

• Is hot to touch• Has pus discharge • Has red streaks from the

arm• The person feels feverish

or ill

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Open Wounds

Care for Minor Open Wounds

3. General Principle: Promote Healing

Application: • Cover the wound with a clean

bandage• Change bandage daily• Talk to your healthcare provider

and get stitches or other wound closing treatment if needed

Open Wounds

Stitches?

Some minor wounds will heal better with stitches—a wound closing treatment. Knowing when a wound needs stitches can be tricky. If you are unsure, contact your healthcare provider.

However, here are some general guidelines to help you decide whether or not to seek medical care for your minor wounds.

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Open Wounds

Stitches?

You should see a healthcare provider if:

• The edges of the cut do not stay together or gape open

• The wound is on the face and would form a noticeable scar

• The wound will not stop bleeding• The wound is larger than an inch• The wound is from a human or animal

bite• The wound has embedded objects,

such as gravel or glass• You can see the underlying fat,

muscle, or connective tissue• You cannot adequately clean the

wound

Open Wounds

Tetanus

Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a life-threatening disease caused by a bacteria found in soil. Tetanus occurs after a wound is infected with these bacteria.

Pictured: Tetanus bacteria

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Open Wounds

Tetanus

There is a tetanus immunization that prevents the disease, but the immunization needs to be given every 7-10 years to maintain immunity or resistance to the bacteria.

For that reason, if you have a deep cut or a puncture wound, you may need to get a tetanus shot. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if you need one.

Open Wounds

External Bleeding

Open wounds can cause external bleeding, or bleeding that you can see. It is important to know how to stop bleeding.

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Open Wounds

How to Stop Bleeding on Extremities

The general guidelines to stop bleeding on extremities:

• Apply direct pressure on the wound

• Use a clean dressing such as a gauze pad or a clean cloth. If a dressing isn’t available apply direct pressure without the dressing

• If the bleeding soaks through the dressing apply more dressings and use more pressure

Open Wounds

• Do not remove any dressing once they have been applied; doing so will break up the clots that the body is forming to stop the bleeding

• Once the bleeding has stopped, apply a bandage over the dressing

How to Stop Bleeding on Extremities

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Open Wounds

• For non-extremity wounds it is suggested to use a hemostatic dressing which helps to clot and stop bleeding

• It is most effective when used properly with direct pressure on the wound

• You can get one of these dressings online or at a local store that carries first aid supplies

How to Stop Bleeding not on Extremities

Open Wounds

Medical Emergency

If you are unable to stop the bleeding or if the person has lost a lot of blood, this is a medical emergency.

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Open Wounds

Medical Emergency

Take the following actions:

1. Call 911 or the local emergency number.

2. Continue to attempt to stop the bleeding by applying firm pressure directly to the wound

3. Provide reassurance 4. Have the person rest

comfortably and cover them with a blanket to maintain body temperature

5. Monitor the person for signs of shock.

6. Treat shock if needed.

Open Wounds

Medical Emergency

Signs of shock include:

• Pale or bluish, cool, clammy skin

• Rapid, shallow breathing• Light-headed or dizzy• When you press on the skin, it

takes longer than three seconds for the color to return

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Open Wounds

Medical Emergency

Someone in shock can also have a change in their level of consciousness or level of alertness. They may also have an altered or mental status, including their intellectual or emotional functioning.

This may include confusion, agitation, or drowsiness.

Open Wounds

Medical Emergency

If emergency medical personnel are not available and you cannot stop the bleeding, you may need to apply a tourniquet. This is should only be done as a last resort!

You will learn more about tourniquets in the lesson on amputation.

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Open Wounds

Disease Prevention

Blood borne pathogens—disease causing germs—are transmitted by coming in contact with another person’s blood or body fluids.

It is important to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable gloves when touching another person’s open wounds or blood.

Also be sure to wash hands thoroughly after contact with blood.

Open Wounds

Summary

You have learned about minor and severe open wounds. Remember that your first aid priorities are to stop bleeding, to prevent infection, and to promote healing.

Sometimes a wound needs to be evaluated by a medical professional even if it isn’t a medical emergency.

For wounds that are serious, call 911, attempt to stop the bleeding by direct pressure and a tourniquet if needed, and treat shock.

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PresentedBy Carone

Fitness