Chapter 14: Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvic Injuries

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Injuries to the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis

Because the chest, abdomen and pelvis contain many organs important to life, injury to these areas can be fatal.

Chest injuries are a leading cause of trauma deaths each year.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Chest Injury Chest injuries may involve the bones that form the chest cavity

or they may involve the organs or other structures in the cavity itself.

Chest wounds are either open or closed (ex: rib fractures and puncture wounds).

Signals of serious chest injury include— Trouble breathing. Severe pain. Flushed, pale, ashen or bluish skin. Obvious deformity. Coughing up blood. Bruising at the site of a blunt injury. A distinctive “sucking” sound as the person breathes.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Care for Injuries to the Chest

Caring for a serious chest injury often means helping the victim with trouble breathing. To care for a serious chest injury—

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Position the victim to aid breathing.

If ribs are broken, bind the victim’s upper arm to the chest.

Use a pillow or rolled blanket to support and immobilize the area.

If a sucking chest sound is evident, cover the wound with an occlusive dressing.

Take steps to minimize shock.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Injuries to the Abdomen

Signals of serious abdominal injury include—

Severe pain.

Bruising.

External bleeding.

Nausea.

Vomiting (sometimes containing blood).

Weakness.

Thirst.

Pain, tenderness or tight feeling in the abdomen.

Organs protruding from the abdomen.

Rigid abdominal muscles.

Other signals of shock.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Care for Injuries to the Abdomen

If the injury involves an open wound—

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Carefully position the victim on his or her back.

Do not apply direct pressure.

Do not push any protruding organs back in.

Remove clothing from around the wound.

Apply moist, sterile dressings.

Cover the wound with an occlusive dressing.

Cover dressings lightly with a folded towel to maintain warmth.

Take steps to minimize shock.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Care for Injuries to the Abdomen(continued)

If the injury involves a closed wound—

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.

Carefully position the victim on his or her back unless you suspect injury to the head, neck or back.

Bend the victim’s knees slightly. If moving the victim’s legs causes pain, keep them straight.

Place rolled-up pillows or blankets under the knees for support.

Take steps to minimize shock.

Monitor breathing, skin color and temperature until EMS personnel arrive.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Injuries to the Pelvis

Signals of pelvic injury are the same as those for an abdominal injury. Signals of pelvic injuries may also include—

Severe pain.

Bruising.

External bleeding.

Nausea.

Vomiting (blood).

Weakness.

Thirst.

Pain, tenderness or swelling.

Protruding organs.

Rigid muscles.

Pelvic injuries may also cause

Loss of sensation in the legs.

Inability to move.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Care for Pelvic Injury

To care for injuries to the pelvis—

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Do not move the victim unless necessary.

Control external bleeding.

Cover any protruding organs.

Take steps to minimize shock.

Care for a closed wound to the genitals as you would any closed wounds.

If the genital has an open wound apply a sterile dressing and control bleeding with direct pressure.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross

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Review

Injuries to the chest, abdomen or pelvis can be serious.

Some injuries can only be detected if the victim’s condition worsens over time.

Watch for signals of serious injury that require medical attention.

Care for life-threatening emergencies first.

Always call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number as soon as possible.

For open wounds, control the bleeding.

If a fracture is suspected, immobilize the injured part.

Use occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds and open abdominal wounds.