types of wounds
DESCRIPTION
A presentation part of 1st aid trainingTRANSCRIPT
By: Juliana Johan John
Types of wounds
Wound = An injury which breaks the skin or other tissues and which can allow blood to escape from the body and germs to enter it
Classification of wounds:
Wounds
Open Closed
Open-wound• Allows blood to escape from the body• There is disruption in the continuity of the
skin therefore susceptible to external bleeding and contamination
• Types of open wound : Incision Abrasion Laceration Puncture Avulsion Amputation
Incision• An open wound caused by sharp objects such as
knives, razor blades, and sharp glass or metal edges.
• Wound is smooth edged and bleeds freely• Amount of bleeding depends upon the wound’s :
i. Depthii. Locationiii. Size
• Deep wound may cause severe damage to:i. Muscleii. Nervesiii.Tendons
Laceration A cut made by sharp instrument such as knife or
razor blade Produce jagged incision through skin surface and
underlying structure Tend to bleed less severely than incised wounds These wounds are sometimes contaminated
Puncture
Is a stab from a pointed object. Example: nails, needles, fork, knife and even
teeth Risk of infection is high if wound is deep
because germs and dirt may have carried into it
Special treatment is required when the object causing the injury remains impaled in the wound
Abrasion Superficial wound caused by rubbing or
scrapping Results in partial loss of skin surface
Avulsion Is the tearing of a patch of skin or other
tissues Not totally torn from the body but creates a
loose, hanging flap Involves body parts such as eyeballs,
ears,fingers, or hands
Amputation Involves cutting or tearing off a body part Example: fingers, toes, hands,feet, arms or
leg.
Type Cause(s) Signs and symptoms
First Aid
Abrasion (scrape)
Rubbing or scraping
Only skin surface affectedLittle bleeding
Remove all debrisWash away from wound with soap and water
Incision (Cut) Sharp object Smooth edges of woundSevere bleeding
Control bleedingWash wound
Laceration (Tearing)
Blunt object tearing skin
Veins and arteries can be affectedSevere bleedingDanger of infection
Control bleedingWash wound
Puncture (Stab)
Sharp pointed object pierces skin
Wound is narrow and deep into veins and arteriesEmbedded objectsDanger of infection
Do not remove impaled objects
Avulsion (torn off)
Machinery, Explosive
Tissue torn off or left hangingSevere bleeding
Control bleedingTake avulsed part to medical facility
Closed wounds
Example : Bruise and contusion Damage to soft tissue beneath skin No actual break in the skin Contusion = Local pain and swelling Hematoma = if large vessels have been
torn beneath the contused area, will be evident as a lump with bluish discoloration
Treatment : Treat it with pressure and cold application to minimize swelling/ no specific treatment
Bleeding Bleeding may not only be the most visible
but may also be the most often cared for Rapid loss of one quart or more of total
blood volume by bleeding often leads to :i. irreversible shockii. Death
Types of external bleeding
1. Arterial :• Blood from artery spurts; bright red in color
(oxygen)• Less likely to clot than other type of
bleeding• Blood loss often rapid and profuse (blood
spurts)• Dangerous (no blood clot can form)• External means of control must be used to
stop flow
Types of external bleeding
2. Venous :• Bleeding is steady and dark-bluish-red color• Easier to control than arterial bleeding• Potential danger of air bubble or air
embolism- Blood in larger veins being sucked
back towards the heart; air bubble can be large enough to interfere the heart to pump blood because of the formed air block
Types of external bleeding
3. Capillary : Blood oozes from a capillary; similar
color to venous blood Easily controlled Not immediately dangerous More or less control itself by clotting
spontaneously
Hemophilia : Tendency to bleed as well as the inability of blood to clot. Life threatening.
Controlling external bleeding
1. Direct Pressure- The quickest and most efficient mean of controlling external bleeding
2. Elevation- Control bleeding of extremity- Gravity helps to reduce blood pressure; slows bleeding
Controlling external bleeding
3. Pressure points- If direct pressure is not controlling sever bleeding in the arms and legs- Only after direct pressure and elevation have failed to control bleeding- Apply pressure at the point where artery is relatively near the surface and where it passes close to a bony structure against which it can be compressed; brachial point in the arm and femoral point in the groin
Controlling external bleeding
4. Tourniquet - Only is used in severe emergency when other
means will not stop bleeding in an extremity- Can damage nerves and blood vessels- Can result in the loss of arm or leg- Use only as last resort
Steps of treatment for minor external bleeding1. Wash hands before dealing with the wound by
rinsing it with running water (if possible)2. Temporarily protect wound with sterile swab.
Carefully clean the surrounding skin with water and soap. Gently wipe away from the wound using each swab once only.
3. If bleeding persists apply direct pressure4. Dress mall wound with an adhesive dressing
(plaster)5. Raise and support the injured part unless
suspect underlying fracture6. Seek medical aid if any doubt about injury