Head and Spinal Injuries

Scalp WoundsBleed profusely because the scalp has a rich

blood supply and the blood vessels there do not constrict

Severe scalp wounds may be accompanied by: Concussion

Skull fractureImpaled objectSpinal injury

Care for Scalp WoundsControl bleeding by gently applying direct

pressure with dry, sterile dressingIf you suspect a skull fracture- apply pressure

around edged rather than on the center of the wound

Keep head and shoulders slightly elevated to help control bleeding if no spinal injury is suspected

Seek medical care

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Scalp Wounds

Recognizing a Skull FractureDifficult to determine except by X-ray unless the

skull deformity is severe.Signs and Symptoms of a skull fracture include: Pain at the point of injuryDeformity of the skullBleeding from the ears or noseClear,pink,watery Cerebrospinal fluid leaking

from ear or nose. (halo sign) on white cloth will form pink ring around slightly blood-tinged center

Discoloration around eyes (raccoon eyes)Discoloration behind an ear (Battles sign)Heavy scalp bleeding if skin is broken- may expose

skull or brain tissue.

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Second Outline Level

Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline

Level Eighth Outline Level

5/11/10

Recognizing Skull Fracture

Care for Skull FractureMonitor the victim’s breathing and provide

appropriate careStabilize the victims neck to prevent movementSlightly elevate victims head and shoulders to

help control bleedingCover wounds with sterile dressingTo control bleeding, apply pressure around edges

of the wound.DO NOT:Stop the flow of blood from an ear or nose-could

increase pressure within the skullRemove impaled objectPress on fractured area

Brain InjuriesCauses short-and long-term problemsMost are a result of motor vehicle crashes and falls50,000 people die in the US of head trauma and 2x that

have brain injuries that leave them with permanent damage

Brain injuries are difficult first aid emergencies to handle, victim is often confused, or unresponsive making assessment difficult

Brain will swell from bleeding when its injuredUnlike other tissues, however the brain is confined in

the skull-interferes with brain functioningNerve cells of the brain and spinal cord unlike most

other cells in the body, are unable to regenerate-once dead, they are lost forever and can not be replaced.

3 Types of Common Occurring Brain Injuries

Concussion- temporary loss of brain function, usually without permanent damage

Contusion- bruising of brain tissue

Hematoma – localized collection of blood as a result of a broken blood vessel

Concussiontemporary loss of brain function, usually without

permanent damageNo bleeding in brain occursPerson can be unconscious or have amnesiaLonger the victim is unconscious, or the longer the

memory loss lasts, the more serious the concussionUnlikely-but can cause deathGrade 1- no loss of consciousness, symptoms or mental

status abnormalities resolve in less than 15 minutesGrade 2- no loss of consciousness, symptoms or mental

status abnormalities last more than 15 minutesGrade 3 – Any loss of consciousness

Concussion

Concussion

Football Concussion

Double KO

Care for Brain Injury1. Seek immediate medical care2. Stabilize the victims head - Suspect a spinal

injury in an unresponsive victim until proven otherwise

3. Grasp victims head over the ears and hold head and neck until EMS arrives

4. If long wait, kneel with victims head between your knees

5. Monitor victims breathing6. Control bleeding7. Brain-injury victims tend to vomit. Roll

victim onto his/her side while stabilizing neck

8. Monitor level or responsiveness- best indicator of neurologic function

Further CareSeveral signs appearing within 48 hours of a

head injury indicate a need to seek medical care

Headache lasting 1 or 2 days or increases in severity

Nausea, vomitingDrowsiness- wake victim every 2 hours to check

consciousness and sense of orientationVision problemsMobilitySpeechSeizures

Eye InjuriesPenetrating eye

injuries: sharp object, such as knife or needle penetrates eye

Care:Seek immediate

medical careStabilize object

Blows to the EyeBlows to the eye –

blood vessels around the eye rupture

CareApply ice or cold

pack for about 15 minutes

Seek medical care if there is double vision, or reduced vision

Cuts of the Eye or LidSigns:

Cut appearance of the cornea

Inner liquid filling of the eye

Lid is cutCare:

If eyeball is cut do not apply pressure

If only eyelid is cut, apply sterile dressing with gentle pressure

Bandage both eyes lightly

Seek medical care immediately

Eye AvulsionKnocking the eye from its

socketCare

Cover eye loosely with sterile dressing that has been moistened

Do not try to push eyeball back into socket

Cover undamaged eye with patch to stop movement

Seek medical care immediately

Eye Avulsion Injuries http://connect.in.com/orbital-

bone/photos-ecs70070f1-78af8f4e205936f4.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX_5zIXxKEU&feature=related

Basketball Eye Avulsion http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=0ANtDOk6FCk

Broken NoseSigns

Pain, swelling, and possible crooked appearance

Bleeding and difficulty breathing through nostrils

Black eyes appearing 1-2 days after injury

CareSeek medical care If bleeding is present

give care as for a nosebleed

Apply iceDo not try to straighten

Knocked-Out ToothCommon dental emergencyTo prevent tooth from

drying and protect ligament fibers from damage reimplantation needs to be done within 30 minutes

CarePlace rolled gauze pad in

socket where tooth came out to control bleeding

Place tooth in Milk if available. Preferably whole milk

Take victim and tooth immediately to dentist

Broken TeethFrequently broken

by falls or direct blows

CareGently clean dirt and

blood from injured area

Apply ice pack on the face in the area of the injured tooth

Seek immediate dental care

Spinal InjuriesSpine- column of vertebrae stacked on one

another from tailbone to base of the skullEach vertebra has a hollow center through which

spinal cord passes*If a broken vertebra pinches spinal nerves,

paralysis can resultA mistake in handling a spinal injury victim could

mean a lifetime of paralysis for the victimFallsDiving accidentsMotor vehicle crashes

Recognizing Spinal InjuriesPain radiating into arms or legsNeck or Back painNumbness, tingling weakness, burning, or

lessened sensation in the arms or legsLoss of bowel or bladder controlParalysis of the arms or legsDeformity: odd looking angle of victims head

and neck

Checking for Spinal InjuriesHave victim wiggle fingersSqueeze fingers and ask if they can feel

itSqueeze victims handAsk victim to wiggle toesHave victim push foot against rescuers

handPinch victims hand for response

Care for a Spinal InjuryMonitor breathingStabilize victim to prevent movementCall 9-1-1