Chapter 26
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Transcript of Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Head and Spine Injuries
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
• List the functions of the central nervous system.
• Define the structure of the skeletal system as it relates to the nervous system.
• Relate mechanism of injury to potential injuries of the head and spine.
• State the signs and symptoms of a potential spinal injury.
Objectives (1 of 5)
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
• Describe the method of determining if a responsive patient may have a spinal injury.
• Relate the airway emergency medical care techniques to the patient with a suspected spinal injury.
• Describe how to stabilize the cervical spine.
• List the steps in performing rapid extrication.
Objectives (2 of 5)
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
• Explain the rationale for immobilization of the entire spine when a cervical spine injury is suspected.
• Explain the rationale for utilizing rapid extrication approaches only when they indeed will make the difference between life and death.
• Demonstrate opening the airway in a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury.
Objectives (3 of 5)
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
• Demonstrate evaluating a responsive patient with a suspected spinal cord injury.
• Demonstrate stabilization of the cervical spine.
• Demonstrate the four-person log roll for a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury.
• Demonstrate how to log roll a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury using two people.
Objectives (4 of 5)
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
• Demonstrate securing a patient to a long backboard.
• Demonstrate the procedure for rapid extrication.
• Demonstrate helmet removal techniques.
Objectives (5 of 5)
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Central Nervous System
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Protective Coverings of the Brain
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Spinal Column
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
The Skull
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
The Spinal Canal
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Assessment of Spinal Injuries
• Vehicle crashes (snowmobile, car, motorcycle)
• Snow rider collisions with fixed objects
• Snow rider collisions with other snow riders
• Falls from heights
• Blunt or penetrating trauma
• Blunt trauma
• Hangings
• Diving accidents
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Questions to Ask Responsive Patients
• Does your neck or back hurt?
• What happened?
• Where (specific location) does it hurt?
• Can you feel me touching your fingers? Your toes?
• Can you move your hands and feet?
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Assessment of Spinal Injuries
• Assess DCAP-BTLS.
• Avoid any excessive motion.
• Assess strength in each extremity and compare.
• Absence of pain does not rule out injury.
• Ability to move or walk does not rule out injury.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Injury
• Pain or tenderness of spine
• Deformity of spine
• Tingling and/or weakness in the extremities
• Loss of sensation or paralysis
• Incontinence
• Soft-tissue injuries to head, neck, back
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Emergency Medical Care
• Follow BSI precautions.• Manage the airway.
– Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway.
– Consider inserting an oropharyngeal airway.
– Administer oxygen.• Stabilize the cervical spine.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Stabilization of the Cervical Spine (1 of 3)
• Hold patient’s head firmly with both hands.
• Support the lower jaw.• Move to patient’s head
to eyes-forward position.• Maintain position until
patient is secured to backboard.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Stabilization of the Cervical Spine (2 of 3)
• Assess and monitor CMS functions.
• Cervical collars do not replace manual stabilization.
• Improperly fitted collars may be harmful.
• Towel rolls and/or blanket rolls can be substituted for cervical collar.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Stabilization of the Cervical Spine (3 of 3)
• Do not force the head into a neutral, in-line position if the following develop:
– Muscles spasms
– Increase in pain
– Numbness, tingling, or weakness
– Compromised airway or breathing
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Preparation for Transport:Supine Patients (1 of 2)
• Maintain in-line stabilization.• Assess and monitor distal CMS functions in
each extremity.• Apply a cervical collar, sized appropriately.• Have other team members position
immobilization device.• Log roll patient; quickly assess the back.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Preparation for Transport:Supine Patients (2 of 2)
• Center patient on device. • Secure upper torso to device.• Secure pelvis, legs, and feet. • Immobilize and secure the head. • Check and adjust all straps. • Reassess distal CMS functions.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Preparation for Transport: Sitting Patients
• Maintain manual in-line stabilization. • Assess CMS functions, apply a cervical collar.• Place a short board or short immobilization
device behind patient.• Position device around patient and secure.• Turn and lower patient to long backboard.• Secure short and long backboards together.• Reassess distal CMS functions.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Preparation for Transport: Standing Patients
• Stabilize the head and neck from behind and apply a cervical collar.
• Position board upright behind patient and secure.
• A rescuer stands at each side, facing the patient.
• Reach under each arm, grasp board near patient’s shoulder.
• Carefully lower patient to ground.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Head Injuries• All head injuries are potentially serious.
• Types include:
– Scalp lacerations
– Skull fractures
– Brain injuries
– Medical conditions
– Complications of head injuries
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Scalp Lacerations• Scalp has a rich blood supply.• There may be more serious, deeper
injuries.• Follow BSI precautions.• Fold skin flaps back down onto scalp.• Control bleeding by direct pressure.• Watch for skull fractures • Add additional dressings as needed.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Skull Fracture
• Indicates significant force
• Signs:
– Obvious deformity
– Visible crack in skull
– Raccoon eyes
– Battle’s sign
– Cerebrospinal fluid
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Concussion (1 of 2)
• Minor traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Temporary loss or alteration in brain function
• May result in unresponsiveness, confusion, or amnesia
• Retrograde amnesia: forgetting events leading up to injury
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Concussion (2 of 2)
• Anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia: forgetting events after the injury
• Perseveration: repetitive speech patterns
• Brain can sustain bruise when skull is struck.
• There will be bleeding and swelling.
• Bleeding will increase pressure within skull.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Intracranial Bleeding• Major TBI• Laceration or rupture
of blood vessel in brain– Subdural– Intracerebral– Epidural
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Other Brain Injuries• Brain injuries are not always caused by trauma.• Medical conditions may cause spontaneous
bleeding in the brain.– Example: high blood pressure
• Signs and symptoms of nontraumatic injuries are the same as those of traumatic injuries.– There is no MOI.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Complications of Head Injury• Cerebral edema is one of the most
serious complications.– Ensure airway and provide oxygen.
• Seizure (convulsion) may occur.• Vomiting may occur.
– Common in children • Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid may occur.
– Do not pack ears or nose.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Assessing Head Injuries (1 of 2)
• Common causes:
– Skier-object (fixed or moving) collisions
– Direct blows (deformed or dented helmet)
– Falls from heights
– Sports injuries, especially involving speed
• Evaluate and monitor level of responsiveness
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Assessing Head Injuries (2 of 2)
• Blunt injuries are associated with trauma.
• Consider MOI.
• Assess and monitor level of responsiveness.
• Evaluate and compare pupil size, shape, and reaction to light.
• Injury may be closed or open.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Signs and Symptoms (1 of 3)
• Lacerations, contusions, hematomas to scalp
• Soft areas or depression upon palpation
• Visible skull fractures or deformities
• Ecchymosis around eyes and behind ear
• Clear or pink CSF leakage
• Failure of pupils to respond to light
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Signs and Symptoms (2 of 3)
• Unequal pupils (anisocoria)
• Occurs naturally in 5% of the population
• Loss of sensation and/or motor function
• Period of unresponsiveness
• Respiratory distress due to bleeding or swelling of the airway
• Amnesia
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Signs and Symptoms (3 of 3)
• Seizures
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Irregular respirations
• Dizziness
• Visual complaints
• Combative or abnormal behavior
• Nausea or vomiting
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Level of Responsiveness
• Change in level of responsiveness is the single most important observation.
• Use the AVPU scale or Glasgow Coma Scale (depending on local protocols).
• Reassess level of responsiveness:
– Every 15 minutes if patient is stable.
– Every 5 minutes if patient is unstable.
• Levels may fluctuate or progressively deteriorate.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Change in Pupil Size• Unequal pupil size may indicate increased
pressure on one side of the brain.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Emergency Medical Care• Protect the cervical spine.• Follow these three principles:
– Establish an adequate airway, provide high-flow oxygen.
– Control bleeding, provide adequate circulation.
– Assess baseline vital signs and monitor patient’s level of responsiveness.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Managing the Airway
• First priority!
• Use jaw-thrust maneuver.
• Maintain neutral, in-line stabilization.
• Use suction and remove foreign bodies.
• Provide high-flow oxygen.
• Assist ventilations as needed.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Circulation• Start CPR in patients with cardiac arrest.
• Control bleeding.
• Shock is usually due to bleeding.
• Patients with a medical condition or nontraumatic brain injury should be placed on side to avoid aspiration.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Cervical Collar
• Provides preliminary, partial support
• Applied to every patient with a suspected spinal injury
• Used with manual stabilization until patient is secured to spinal immobilization device
• Must be correctly sized
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Applying a Cervical Collar
• One rescuer provides continuous manual in-line support of head.
• Measure proper size collar.• Place chin support snugly
under chin.• Maintain manual support.• Wrap collar around neck.• Ensure that collar fits.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Backboards• Short backboards, vests
– Used on patients found in sitting position
– Used in extrication
• Long backboards
– Provide full-body immobilization
– Can be used to splint many injuries
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Helmet Removal (1 of 5)
• Is airway clear and is patient breathing adequately?
• Can airway be maintained and ventilations assisted with helmet in place?
• How well does helmet fit?
• Can patient move within helmet?
• Can spine be immobilized in a neutral position with helmet on?
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Helmet Removal (2 of 5)
• A helmet that fits well prevents the head from moving and should be left on, as long as:
– There are no impending airway or breathing problems.
– It does not interfere with assessment and treatment of the airway.
– You can properly immobilize the spine.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Helmet Removal (3 of 5)
• Remove a helmet if:
– It makes assessing the airway difficult.
– It interferes with spinal immobilization.
– It allows excessive head movements.
– Patient is in cardiac arrest.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Helmet Removal (4 of 5)
• Remove glasses or goggles.
• Stabilize head and loosen strap.
• Place hands at the jaw and back of head.
• Begin to gently slide helmet up and off.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Helmet Removal (5 of 5)
• Slide hand up the back of head to prevent it from moving.
• Rotate helmet all the way off head.
• Manually stabilize cervical spine as normal.
• Apply cervical collar.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Pediatric Needs (1 of 2)
• Children will need additional padding to prevent neck flexion.
• Blanket rolls can be used in place of cervical collars.
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Chapter 26: Head and Spine Injuries
Pediatric Needs (2 of 2)
• Children may need extra padding to maintain immobilization.
• Car seats can be used as immobilization devices.