MUSCLE INJURIES

Harm/ damage towards muscles

Muscles
A body tissue that can contract and
produce movement
Enables us to move our body parts/
maintain a good posture
Gives us our individual shape
Protects and keep in place our
abdominal organs
Helps in the Circulation of our blood
Generates body heat when they
contract
1.SKELETAL/ STRIPED OR VOLUNTARY
MUSCLE-Attached to skeleton by tendon
2. SMOOTH OR INVOLUNTARY MUSCLES-work
automatically ( e.g. muscles of the digestive
system)
3. CARDIAC MUSCLE (Involuntary)- It
contracts regularly, continuously and without
tiring
ACUTE MUSCLE INJURIES
1. Contusions
- Bruises
- Usually injury to blood vessels
- Hematoma
- Internal bleeding
Symptoms
Swelling
Point tenderness
Redness
Ecchymosis
Causes
when blood vessels are damaged or
broken as the result of a blow to the
skin (be it bumping against something
or hitting yourself with a hammer).
Treatment:
place an ice massage on your bruise
for 15 to 20 minutes
Use compression. An elastic bandage
may be wrapped around a bruised
muscle to support the area and
decrease swelling.
2. Strains
Stretch, tear or rip in the muscle or
adjacent tissue
Severe tension force
Hamstring, Quadriceps, Hip flexor,
Biceps
SORENESS
Muscular pain from strenuous
muscular exercise
STIFFNESS
Occurs when muscles worked hard for
a long period of time

Fluids that collect in muscle during/

after activity absorbed in bloodstream
slowly
Symptoms
Swelling, bruising or redness, or open
cuts due to the injury.
Pain at rest.
Pain when the specific muscle or the
joint in relation to that muscle is used.
Weakness of the muscle or tendons.
Inability to use the muscle at all.
Cause
Over- usage of muscle
Treatment

Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen or
ibuprofen to reduce pain and improve your
ability to move around.

Protection, rest, ice, compression, and

elevation (known as the PRICE formula)
3. Tendons Injuries
Tears commonly at muscle belly or
body attachment
* Tendonitis- inflammation of tendon
muscle
Symptoms
Pain, tenderness, redness, warmth,
and/or swelling near the injured
tendon.
crunchy sound or feeling when the
tendon is used.
Pain and stiffness
Stiffness in the joint near the affected
area.
Causes
Overuse
Stepping up your level of physical
activity too quickly
Wearing high heels
Problems with the feet
Muscles or tendons in the leg that are
too tight
Treatment
NSAIDs
Ultrasound therapy
Rehabilitation
4. Cramps/ Spasms
CRAMPS
Painful involuntary contraction of a
skeletal muscle or muscle group
- Cause "knotting" of the muscles
SPASMS
Reflex reaction caused by trauma of
musculoskeletal system
Symptoms
Localized swelling

 Cramping
Inflammation
Loss of function
Pain
General weakness
Discoloration
Causes
Some may be related to an underlying
medical condition, such as:
Inadequate blood supply.
Nerve compression.
Mineral depletion.
Factors that might increase your risk of
muscle cramps include:
Age
Dehydration
Pregnancy

Medical conditions.
First Aid Treatment: CRAMPS
Cramps usually will relive on their own
without treatment. Make sure always calm
down and relax by having slow deep
breathing through mouth.
To speed the healing process, we can:
1. Gently stretch and massage
2. Apply an ice massage
3. If leg cramps, fully straightening the leg
and bending over and grabbing the end of
the toes
4. Application of muscle pain relief cream
5. Drink beverages contain potassium, such
as water with salt.
Preventions:
Do stretching and warm up before the
activity
Do not smoke and consume caffeine
before the activity
Consume foods and beverages high in
potassium
First Aid Treatment: STRAINS
Strains are injuries to muscle due to
overstretching, while sprains involve a
stretch or a partial tear of ligaments (which
connect two bones) or tendons (which
connect muscle to bone). Sprains and strains
happen often in teens
What to Do
Make sure the person stops activity
right away.
Think R.I.C.E.
Rest: Rest the injured part until it's
less painful.
Ice: Wrap an icepack or cold compress
in a towel and place over the injured
part immediately.

Compression: Support the injured

part with an elastic compression
bandage for at least 2 days.
Elevation: Raise the injured part
above heart level to decrease swelling.
Give your ibuprofen or acetaminophen
for pain and to reduce swelling.
Think Prevention!
warm up properly and to stretch
before and after exercising
always wear appropriate protective
equipment.

HEAT STROKE

a condition marked by fever and often

by unconsciousness, caused by failure
of the body's temperature-regulating
mechanism when exposed to
excessively high temperatures.
Heat stroke is also known as
sunstroke, thermic fever, or siriasis. It
happens when the body's mechanisms
for controlling temperature fail. Heat
stroke is a life-threatening emergency
needing immediate treatment. While
many people feel sick and faint during
heat waves, most of these people are
suffering from heat exhaustion, a
related condition usually less serious
than heat stroke.
There are two types of heat exhaustion:
Water depletion. Signs include
excessive thirst, weakness, headache,
and loss of consciousness.
Salt depletion. Signs include nausea
and vomiting, muscle cramps, and
dizziness.
Causes
Heat-related illnesses, such
as heat exhaustion and heatstroke,
occur when your body can't keep itself
cool. As the air temperature rises, your
body stays cool when your sweat
evaporates. On hot, humid days, the
evaporation of sweat is slowed by the
increased moisture in the air.
Working or exercising in hot conditions
or weather without drinking enough
fluids is the main cause of heat
stroke. You can get heat stroke by not
replacing lost fluids over days or
weeks, or you can bring it on in a few
hours by exercising strenuously on a
hot day without drinking plenty of
liquids first.
Symptoms

First

extremely high core temperature of up

to 41C (106F)
hot, red, dry skin
rapid pulse
rapid, shallow breathing
headache
confusion, strange behavior
possible loss of consciousness
Someone with heat stroke has stopped
sweating, due to a failure in his or her
heat control system.
High core temperatures damage the
internal organs, especially the brain.
The fluid loss can also produce
dangerously low blood pressure. Most
people who are killed by heat stroke
die when their heart stops pumping
effectively (circulatory failure). Even
people who survive are likely to have
permanent brain damage if their core
temperature has been over
40.6C (105F) for more than an hour
or two.
Aid
remove most of their clothes, douse
them with water, and fan them
vigorously. Wrapping in wet sheets can
help increase the rate of heat loss. If
the person is conscious and alert, offer
him or her water or other fluids. Avoid
caffeinated or alcoholic drinks because
they dehydrate you.
If the victim starts shivering, slow
down the cooling treatment because
shivering raises core temperature.
Take the person's temperature every
10 minutes if you have a thermometer
handy. You should not let the core
temperature fall below 38C (100F),
as this can result in an uncontrollable
slide towards dangerously low
temperatures (hypothermia). All the
while you should be making
arrangements to get the victim to an
emergency room. Watch for signs of
respiratory arrest (breathing failure)
and be ready to give mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation (rescue breathing).
Avoid heavy outdoor activities in the
summer during the hottest times of
the day.
Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured
clothes - light colours reflect more
sunlight.
Try to relax in the shade during the
hottest part of the day.

Avoid coffee and alcohol, especially

beer, due to their fluid loss effect.
Learn the technique of mouth-tomouth resuscitation.

BURNS

Characterized by severe skin damage

in which many of the affected cells die
One of the most common household
injuries especially in children
Burn Levels:
First-degree burn
Characterized by red, non-blistered
skin, swelling, pain
Minimal skin damage
Heal within 3-6 days
Second-degree burn
Characterized by red, white or
splotchy skin, swelling, pain, and
blisters
Extends beyond the epidermis
Heal within 2-3 weeks or longer
Third-degree burn
Characterized by charred black or
white appearance and widespread
thickness with a white leathery
appearance
Extends to every layer of skin
o (possibly major organs,
o bloodstream or bones)
Destroys the nerves
Causes
Scalding from hot, boiling liquids
Chemical burns
Electrical burns
Fires
Excessive sun exposure
Symptoms
Blisters
Pain
Peeling skin
Red skin
Shock
Swelling
White or charred skin
First Aid for Minor Burns
Cool the burn to help soothe the pain
Remove rings or other tight items from
the burned area
Dont break the small blisters
Apply moisturizer or aloe vera lotion or
gel
If needed, take an over-the-counter
pain reliever
Consider a tetanus shot

First Aid for Major Burns

Protect the burned person from further
harm
Check for signs of circulation
Remove jewelry, belts and other
restrictive items
Dont immerse large severe burns in
cold water
Elevate the burned area
Cover the area of the burn

SEIZURE

A seizure is the physical findings or

changes in behaviour that occur after
an episode of abnormal electrical
activity in the brain.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which
clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in
the brain sometimes signal abnormally
causing strange sensations, emotions,
and behavior, or sometimes
convulsions,muscle spasms, and loss
of consciousness.
Epilepsy is not contagious and is not
caused by mental illness or mental
retardation. Sometimes
severe seizure can cause brain
damage, but most seizures do not
seem to have a detrimental effect on
the brain.
Causes
Seizures of all types are caused by
disorganized and sudden electrical
activity in the brain.
Causes of seizures can include:
Abnormal levels of sodium or glucose
in the blood
Brain infection, including meningitis
Brain injury that occurs to the baby
during labor or childbirth
Brain problems that occur before birth
(congenital brain defects)
Drug abuse
Electric shock
Epilepsy
Fever (particularly in young children)
Head injury
Heart disease
Heat illness
High fever
Phenylketonuria (PKU), which can
cause seizures in infants
Poisoning
Street drugs, such as angel dust (PCP),
cocaine, amphetamines

Toxin buildup in the body due to liver

or kidney failure
Very high blood pressure
Venomous bites and stings
Withdrawal from alcohol or certain
medicines after using for a long time
Stages
1. An aura or warning is the first symptom of
a seizure and is considered part of the
seizure. Often the aura is an indescribable
feeling. Other times its easy to recognize
and may be a change in feeling,
sensation, thought, or behavior that is
similar each time a seizure occurs.
Dj vu (a feeling of being there
before but never have)
Jamais vu (a feeling that something is
very familiar but it isnt)
Smells
Sounds
Tastes
Visual loss or blurring
Strange feelings
Fear/panic (often negative or scary
feelings)
Pleasant feelings
Racing thoughts
2. The middle of a seizure is often called
the ictal phase. Its the period of time
from the first symptoms (including an
aura) to the end of the seizure activity,
This correlates with the electrical seizure
activity in the brain. Sometimes the
visible symptoms last longer than the
seizure activity on an EEG. This is
because some of the visible symptoms
may be after effects of a seizure or not
related to seizure activity at all.
Distracted, daydreaming
Loss of consciousness, unconscious, or
pass out
Unable to hear
Feeling of panic, fear, impending doom
Repeated blinking of eyes, eyes may
move to one side or look upward, or
staring
3. As the seizure ends, the postictal phase
occurs - this is the recovery period after
the seizure. Some people recover
immediately while others may take
minutes to hours to feel like their usual
self. The type of seizure, as well as what
part of the brain the seizure impacts,
affects the recovery period how long it
may last and what may occur during it.

Slow to respond or not able to respond

right away
Sleepy
Confused
Headache or other pain
Nausea or upset stomach
Thirsty

Types
Focal seizure symptoms include unusual
feelings or sensations that can take many
forms, such as sudden and unexplainable
emotions, nausea, or hallucinations, one
lobe is affected.
o In simple partial seizures/aura a
small part of one of the lobes may
be affected and the person remains
conscious.
o A complex partial seizure affects a
larger part of the hemisphere than
a simple partial seizure and the
person may lose consciousness.
Generalized seizures affect both cerebral
hemispheres (sides of the brain) from the
beginning of the seizure. They produce
loss of consciousness, either briefly or for
a longer period of time, and are subcategorized into several major types:
o Generalized tonic clonic seizures
(grand mal seizures) are the most
common and best known type of
generalized seizure. They begin
with stiffening of the limbs (the
tonic phase), followed by jerking of
the limbs and face (the clonic
phase).
o Myoclonic seizures are rapid, brief
contractions of bodily muscles,
which usually occur at the same
time on both sides of the body.
o Atonic seizures produce an abrupt
loss of muscle tone. Other names
for this type of seizure include drop
attacks, astatic or akinetic seizures.
They produce head drops, loss of
posture, or sudden collapse.
Because they are so abrupt,
without any warning, and because
the people who experience them
fall with force, atonic seizures can
result in injuries to the head and
face.
Absence seizures (also called petit mal
seizures) are lapses of awareness,
sometimes with staring, that begin and

end abruptly, lasting only a few seconds.

There is no warning and no after-effect
What to do
Stay calm.
Look around - is the person in a
dangerous place? If not, don't move
them. Move objects like furniture away
from them.
Note the time the seizure starts.
Stay with them. If they don't
collapse but seem blank or confused,
gently guide them away from any
danger. Speak quietly and calmly.
Cushion their head with something
soft if they have collapsed to the
ground.
Don't hold them down.
Don't put anything in their mouth.
Check the time again. If a
convulsive (shaking) seizure doesn't
stop after 5 minutes, call for an
ambulance (dial 999).
After the seizure has stopped, put
them into the recovery position and
check that their breathing is returning
to normal. Gently check their mouth
to see that nothing is blocking their
airway such as food or false teeth. If
their breathing sounds difficult after
the seizure has stopped, call for an
ambulance.
Stay with them until they are fully
recovered.
If they are injured, or they have
another seizure without recovering
fully from the first seizure, call for an
ambulance.

BLEEDING

to lose or release blood

it can refer to blood loss inside the
body (internal bleeding) or blood loss
outside of the body (external bleeding)
serves a useful purpose because it
helps to clean out a wound
cuts on the head, face, and mouth
may bleed a lot because there are a
lot of blood vessels in those areas
abdominal and chest wounds can be
quite serious (emergency) because
internal organs may be damaged
can cause internal bleeding
Internal bleeding - occurs when blood
leaks out through damage to a blood vessel
or organ

External bleeding - occurs either when

blood exits through a break in the skin, or
when blood exits through a natural opening
in the body, such as the mouth, vagina, or
rectum
What is Bleeding Disorder?
a condition that affects the way blood
normally clots - can cause abnormal
bleeding both outside and inside the
body
coagulation (clotting process) changes
blood from a liquid to a solid
blood proteins (clotting factors) and
platelets (blood cells) for the clotting
Types
Open wound
an injury involving an external or
internal break in body tissue,
usually involving the skin
Hemophilia
an inherited bleeding disorder in
which a person lacks or has low
levels of certain proteins called
clotting factors and the blood
doesnt clot properly as a result
it leads to excessive bleeding
Christmas disease
it is also called hemophilia B or
factor IX hemophilia
a rare genetic disorder in which
your blood doesnt clot properly
body produces little or no factor IX
it leads to prolonged or
spontaneous bleeding
Low platelet count
it is also called thrombocytopenia
can range from mild to severe,
depending on its underlying cause
symptoms can include severe
bleeding and are possibly fatal if
theyre not treated
Menstrual cycles
often bring about a variety of
uncomfortable symptoms leading
up to your period
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
encompasses the most common
issues, such as mild cramping and
fatigue
Causes
Traumatic Bleeding
caused by an injury that can vary
in severity, but most will cause
bleeding to some degree
Medical Conditions
leukemia

liver disease
thrombocytopenia
Von Willebrands disease
vitamin K deficiency
brain trauma
Medicines
some medicines can increase your
chances of bleeding or even cause
bleeding
blood-thinning medications
antibiotics (when used on a longterm basis)
radiation therapy
Symptoms
shock (dizziness, weakness, pale and
clammy skin, shortness of breath, and
increased heart rate)
abdominal pain and swelling
excessive bleeding from small cuts
easy bruising
frequent nosebleeds
blood in the stool (appears black, maroon,
or bright red)
blood in the urine (appears red, pink, or
tea-colored)
blood in the vomit (looks bright red, or
brown)
heavy menstrual bleeding
skin color changes that occur several
days after an injury (skin may black, blue,
purple, yellowish green)
Treatment
it is important to find out why the
bleeding is occurring
if it is caused by a medical condition,
emergency care will be needed
immediately
Physical Examination
Iron supplementation
Blood transfusion
Blood Tests:
a complete blood count (CBC) measures the amount of red and
white blood cells
platelet aggregation test - checks
how well your platelets clump
together a bleeding time and
determines how quickly your blood
clots to prevent bleeding
First-Aid
Bloody nose or Nosebleed
common for both children and adult
for adults, it may be related to highblood
pressure or hardening of the arteries
Steps

1. Have the person sit down and lean his or

her head forward. This will reduce pressure in
the nasal veins and slow the bleeding.
2. Have them push the bleeding nostril firmly
against the septum (the dividing wall in the
nose).
* If the person is unable to do this, put
on latex gloves and hold the nose for him or
her for five to 10 minutes.
3. Once the nose stops bleeding, instruct the
person not to blow his or her nose for several
days.
* This could dislodge the clot and
cause bleeding to begin again.
4. Seek medical help for a nosebleed if:
bleeding does not stop after about 20
minutes the nosebleed is related to a fall or
injury in which case the nose may have been
broken.
REMEMBER!
DO NOT peek at a wound to see if the
bleeding is stopping. The less a wound is
disturbed, the more likely it is that you'll
be able to control the bleeding.
DO NOT probe a wound or pull out any
embedded object from a wound. This will
usually cause more bleeding and harm.
DO NOT remove a dressing if it becomes
soaked with blood. Instead, add a new
one on top.
DO NOT try to clean a large wound. This
can cause heavier bleeding.
DO NOT try to clean a wound after you
get the bleeding under control. Get
medical help.

FRACTURES
Is a broken bone
requires medical attention
may be completely fractured or partially
fractured in any number of ways
(crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces)
Types
1. Simple Fracture (closed fractures)
broken bones that remain within the
body and do not penetrate the skin.
2. Compound Fracture
broken bones that penetrate through
the skin and expose the bone and
deep tissues to the exterior
environment
3. Comminuted fractures
severe fractures that involve the
breaking of a bone into several smaller
pieces
4. Greenstick fractures

breaks in bones along only one side of

the bone caused by a force
perpendicular to the bones long axis.
5. Avulsion fractures
a small piece of bone being torn off
from the main bone due to an extreme
force applied to a ligament or tendon
6. Transverse fractures
form perpendicular to the long axis of
a bone and are the result of a force
applied at a right angle to the bone
7. Oblique fractures
slanted fractures that occur when a
force is applied at any angle other
than a right angle to the bone
8. Spiral fractures
the result of an extreme twisting force
being exerted on a bone
Causes
Strong force applied to the bone
Age of a person
Brittleness of the bone of a person
Symptoms
Pain and discomfort
Swelling
Discoloration or bruising
Spasm of surrounding muscles
Deformity
During First Aid: Ankle
1. Before you approach a victim, make sure
that the scene or area is safe. If the scene
is safe, approach your victim & ask for a
permission or a consent.
2. The injury must be exposed. If clothing is
attached, cut it away.
3. If the bone is protruding from the skin,
make sure you add no pressure to the
bone itself. To stop a bleeding, add
pressure bandage around the bone.
*If EMS personnel is on the way,
you dont need to bind the appendage
4. Do make sure you have a hard or soft
splint and two bandages to tie the splint into
the ankle
5.
Be cautious on putting the splint
around the ankle by not causing any further
injuries or pain.
*If the victim has a shoe on, you dont
remove the shoe unless you suspect severe
bleeding
6.
Once again, without causing further
injuries or pain, slide the bandage down the
ankle the bind the soft splint the foot.
7.
Tuck any exposed bindings so that the
dont get caught up or trip.

8.
You and hopefully another rescuer can
help assist the victim out of the area & get
immediate medical attention.
During First Aid: Arm
1. Dont move the person except it
necessary to avoid further injury
2. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help
relieve pain
3. Support the fractured arm by using the
technique of the triangular bandage

DIABETES MELLITUS
A diabetes is a serious disease in which
the body cannot properly control the
amount of sugar in your blood because it
does not have enough insulin.
Any of various abnormal conditions
characterized by the secretion and
excretion of excessive amounts or urine
A long term condition
Types
1. Type 1 Diabetes
also called insulin-dependent diabetes
it a form of diabetes mellitus that
usually develops during childhood or
adolescence and is characterized by a
severe deficiency in insulin secretion
resulting from atrophy of the islets of
Langerhans and causing
hyperglycemia and a marked tendency
toward ketoacidosis
2. Type 2 Diabetes
also called non-insulin-dependent
diabetes
a common form of diabetes mellitus
that develops especially in adults and
most often in obese individuals and
that is characterized by hyperglycemia
resulting from impaired insulin
utilization coupled with the bodys
inability to compensate with increased
insulin production
Causes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of
insulin due to the destruction of insulinproducing beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a
combination of factors. It develops when
the body can no longer produce enough
insulin to compensate for the impaired
ability to use insulin.
Diagnosis
Urine tests for diabetes diagnosis
Blood tests for diabetes diagnosis
1. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels
2. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

3. Oral glucose tolerance testing

Symptoms
Frequent Urination
Disproportionate or Intense thirst
Intense hunger
Weight gain
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Cuts and bruises dont heal properly or
quickly
Sexual dysfunction
Numbness or tingling, especially in your
feet and hands
Symptoms of Hyperglycemia
Warm, dry skin
Rapid pulse and breathing
Fruity sweet breath
Excessive thirst
Drowsiness, leading to unconsciousness if
not treated
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Weakness, faintness or hunger
Confusion and irrational behavior
Sweating with cold, clammy skin
Rapid pulse
Deteriorating level of response
First aid for Hyperglycemia
Call the emergency hotline for help right
away
Keep check of their breathing, pulse and
level of response
If they lose consciousness at any point,
open their airway, check their breathing
and prepare to treat someone whos
become unconscious.
First aid for Hypoglycemia
Help them sit down. If they have their
own glucose gel, help them take it. If not,
you need to give them something sugary
like fruit juice, a fizzy drink, two
teaspoons of sugar or sugary sweets.
If they improve quickly, give them more
sugary food or drink and let them rest. If
they have their glucose testing kit with
them, help them use it to check their
glucose level. Stay with them until they
feel completely better.
If they do not improve quickly, look for
other causes and then call the hospital for
help.
While waiting, keep checking their
responsiveness, breathing and pulse.
If youre not sure whether someone has
high or low blood sugar, give them
something sweet, as this will quickly

relieve low blood sugar and is unlikely to

do harm in cases of high blood sugar.

POISONING

occurs when any substance interferes

with normal body functions after it is
swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed
Types
1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is produced when
fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood
do not burn fully. When a fire burns in
an enclosed room, the oxygen in the
room is gradually used up and
replaced with carbon dioxide.
When you breathe in carbon
monoxide, it enters your bloodstream
and mixes with hemoglobin the
blood is no longer able to carry
oxygen; the lack of oxygen causes the
body's tissue and cells to die
2. Food Poisoning
From poorly prepared or cooked food,
and food that's gone moldy or been
contaminated with bacteria from raw
meat
Occurs when you swallow food or
water that contains bacteria,
parasites, viruses, or the toxins made
by germs (E. Coli, Staphylococcus,
salmonella)
3. Drug Poisoning
Overdose of over-the-counter
medications and prescription drugs
Drugs that are helpful
in therapeutic doses may be deadly
when taken in excess
Examples (Beta Blockers, Warfarin,
Vitamins A and
4. Alcohol Poisoning
Occurs when a person drinks a toxic
amount of alcohol, usually over a short
period of time
The amount of alcohol in your
bloodstream (blood alcohol
concentration) will rise at very high
levels, alcohol affects the nerves that
control automatic functions (breathing,
heartbeat and gag reflex) which stops
you choking
Causes you to stop breathing and
become unconscious
5. Chemical Poisoning
Chemicals that can cause chemical
poisoning include toxins and toxicants

Toxicants are chemicals are synthetic

or are natural substances that are not
produced by a living organism (ex:
pesticides, chlorine, ammonia, pepper
spray, and acetone)
Chemicals that are produced by living
organisms are called toxin (ex: snake
venom, honey bee venom, and
cyanotoxin, which is produced by bluegreen algae)
Symptoms and complications vary
widely depending on the specific
chemical, its form, and the amount of
exposure to the chemical
Symptoms
The effects of poisons are as varied as the
poisons themselves; however, the exact
mechanisms of only a few are understood
Severity of symptoms can range from
headache and nausea to convulsions
and death
First Aid
For swallowed poison:
1. Remove anything remaining in the
person's mouth.
2. Read the container's label and follow
instruction for accidental poisoning.
For poison in the skin:
1. Remove any contaminated clothing using
gloves.
2. Rinse the skin for 15-20 minutes.
For poison in the eye:
1. Gently flush the eye with cool or
lukewarm water for 20 minutes.
For inhaled poison:
1. Get the person into fresh air as soon as
possible.
2. If the person vomits, turn his/her head to
the side to prevent choking.
3. Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of
life.

WOUND
An injury to living tissue (such as skin)

caused by a cut, blow, or other impact,

typically one in which the skin is cut or
broken.
Causes
Gunshot, fall, surgical procedure, sharp
objects, etc.
Classification
1. Open Wound
The skin has been compromised
and underlying tissues are exposed
2. Closed Wound

 The skin has not been compromised, but

trauma to underlying structures has occurred
(e.g. a bruised rib or cerebral contusion)
Five Types of Open Wounds
1. Abrasions
Also called scrapes, they occur when the
skin is rubbed
away by friction against another rough surfa
ce.
Ex. Rope burn
2. Avulsion
Occur when an entire structure or part of i
t is forcibly
pulled away, such as the loss of a perman
ent tooth
or an ear lobe. Explosions, gunshots, and
animal bites may cause avulsions.
3. Cuts
Slicing wounds made with a sharp instru
ment.
Ex. Paper cut, surgical incision
4. Lacerations
Also called tears, these are separating wo
unds that
produce ragged edges.
5. Puncture
Deep, narrow wounds produced by sharp
objects such as nails, knives, and broken
glass
Two Types of Closed Wounds
1. Contusions
Also known as bruise, caused when blood
vessels are damaged or broken as the
result of a blow to the skin
2. Crush injury
Caused when part of a body is squeezed
between two heavy objects.
First Aid
(Open Wounds)
Step 1: Stop the Bleeding
Put a clean cloth and apply pressure.
Step 2: Wash the wound
Wash wound thoroughly with soap and clean
water to avoid infection and to remove dirt
particles. Some may put antiseptic.
Step 3: Dress and cover wound
Covered wounds heal faster. It also protects
it from further injury and infections.
(Closed Wounds)
Step 1: Elevate injured area
Step 2: Apply ice pack
Wrap the ice pack in a cloth and apply to the
area of bruise for 10 minutes to help slow the
blood flow and reduce inflammation.
Step 3: Rest the affected area

SHOCK

A clinical syndrome resulting from acute

circulatory failure.
life-threatening condition that occurs
when the body is not getting enough
blood flow.
Lack of blood flow means that the cells
and organs do not get enough oxygen
and nutrients to function properly.
Multiple organs can suffer damage as a
result.
Shock requires immediate medical
treatment and can get worse very rapidly.
Types
Hypovolaemic meaning not enough
blood volume.
Cardiogenic caused when the heart
cannot effectively pump blood around the
body.
Neurogenic injury to a persons spine
may damage the nerves that control the
diameter (width) of blood vessels.
Septic an infection makes the blood
vessels dilate, which drops blood
pressure.
Anaphylactic a severe allergic reaction
causes blood vessels to dilate, which
results in low blood pressure
Obstructive blood flow is stopped.
Endocrine in a critically ill person, a
severe hormonal disorder such as
hypothyroidism may stop the heart from
functioning properly and lead to a lifethreatening drop in blood pressure.
Causes
Heart problems (such as heart
attack or heart failure)
Low blood volume (as with
heavy bleeding or dehydration)
Changes in blood vessels (as with
infection or severe allergic reactions)
Certain medications that significantly
reduce heart function or blood pressure
Shock is often associated with heavy
external or internal bleeding from a serious
injury. Spinal injuries can also cause shock.
Symptoms
Anxiety or agitation/restlessness
Bluish lips and fingernails
Chest pain
Confusion
Dizziness, lightheadedness,
or faintness
Pale, cool, clammy skin
Low or no urine output
Profuse sweating, moist skin

 Rapid but weak pulse

Shallow breathing
Unconsciousness
Treatment
Hypovolemic shock stopping the
bleeding and boosting the persons blood
volume with intravenous fluids (fluids
given directly into the persons
bloodstream through a tube and needle).
In severe cases, the person may need a
blood transfusion. Internal or external
wounds may need surgery
Cardiogenic shock boosting blood
volume with intravenous fluids.
Medications to constrict (narrow) the
blood vessels will improve the hearts
ability to pump. Some people may need
heart surgery
Neurogenic shock giving intravenous
fluids and medications, including
corticosteroids
Septic shock giving antibiotics for the
infection. The person may need
supportive hospital care, for example,
mechanical ventilation to help them
breathe
Anaphylactic shock the person may
need medications such as antihistamines,
adrenaline or corticosteroids
Obstructive shock removing the
obstruction, for example, surgery or clotdissolving medication to remove a blood
clot in the pulmonary artery
Endocrine shock administering
medications to correct the hormonal
imbalance, for example, thyroid
medication to treat hypothyroidism.

First Aid
If you suspect a person is in shock, call
117 or your local emergency number.
Then immediately take the following
steps:
Follow DRSABC and manage injuries such
as severe bleeding.
D- Danger (Ensure the area is safe)
R- Response (Check for response)
S-Send for help (Seek for help)
A- Airway (Open airway by tilting head with
chin lift.)
B- Breathing (Check for Breathing)
C- CPR (If theres no sign of life)
Raise the patients legs (unless they have
fractures or a snake bite) above the level
of the heart, with head flat on the floor.
Treat any wound or burn and immobilise
fractures.
Loosen tight clothing around neck, chest
and waist.
Maintain the patients body warmth with
a blanket or similar. Do not use any
source of direct heat.
Monitor and record breathing, pulse and
skin color at regular intervals.
Place the patient in the recovery position
if the person:
has difficulty breathing
becomes unconscious
is likely to vomit.
*Follow up- Other TREATMENT will depend
on the cause of shock.