FIRST AID

LECTURE 4
WOUNDS

BY
PROF. A. EMAD OMAR ZAKI
FALL 2020
 WOUNDS
Definition: Wound is breaking in continuity to
tissue of body, either internal or External.

Classification of Wound

1. Open: An open Wound is a break in the skin

or mucous membrane

2. Closed: A closed wound involves injury to

underlying tissue without a break in the skin
or mucous membrane.
 Types of Wounds
Abrasions
Incisions
Lacerated
Punctures
Avulsions

Common Causes of open wounds:

􀂃 Motor accidents
􀂃 Fall
􀂃 Mishandling of sharp objects, tools and
machineries
 Types of Wounds
• Abrasions: Irregular wounds of the
upper skin layers usually present with
minor to no bleeding..

• Incisions: Skin cut with a sharp object

such as knife.

• Punctures: Small rounded wounds that

result from objects with thin pointed tips,
such as needles.
 The main aims when dealing
with wound

To control the wound stop bleeding

To treat and prevent shock

To protect the wound from contamination

and infection

To prevent complication

Obtain medical attention

 Prevention of contamination and
infection
Hand washing before and after wound
care (when possible) to avoiding
contaminates

By using lean materials as much as

possible E.g. cotton gauze, towels etc...

Wash in and around the victim’s wound

to remove bacteria and other foreign
Matters
Prevention of contamination and
infection
Wash the wound thoroughly by flushing with
clean water, preferable running tab water

Apply a dry sterile bandage or clean dressing

and secure it firmly in place

Small wounds even can be taken care at

home

If there is infection refer the victim to the

health center
 BLEEDING
Definition: Defusing or oozing of blood from
blood vessels (Hemorrhage)
Types of bleeding
􀂃 Arterial bleeding- bright red in color, flow
from the wound inside
􀂃 Venous bleeding – dark red in color, flow is
steady
􀂃 Capillary bleeding –oozing from bed of
capillaries, red in color, usually less bright
than arterial blood with slow flow.
 Methods of controlling bleeding
externally
• Direct pressure- using compresses
– Pressure bandage can be placed to hold
pads of cloth.
– Put a thick pad of cloth held between the
hand and wound .
• Elevation: The injured part of the body should
be raised about the victim’s heart
• Applying pressure on the supplying artery
specially on brachial artery in severe bleeding,
• Apply tourniquet in sever bleeding
 SHOCK
Definition: failure of the circulatory
system to provide enough blood to all-
the vital origins of the body.
Overview
If the circulatory system fails, and
insufficient oxygen reaches the tissues,
the medical condition known as shock
occurs.
If the condition is not treated quickly,
the vital organs can fail, ultimately
causing death.
 Causes of shock
Hypovolemic schlock: Shock can
develop as a result of a reduction in the
volume of fluid circulating around the
body. The most common examples of this
are external or internal bleeding, or loss
of other bodily fluids through severe
diarrhea, vomiting, or burns.
Septic shock: Severe infections

Anaphylactic shock: severe allergic

conditions

Cardiogenic shock: Shock can develop when

the heart pump fails to work properly, causing
a reduction in the pressure of the circulating
blood. The most common cause of this type of
shock is a heart attack.

Neurogenic shock: severe emotions

Electrical Shock:
 Symptoms of shock:
The blood supply is diverted from the surface to the
core of the body. The main symptoms and signs
of shock relate to such redistribution of the
circulation.

Initially, a flow of adrenaline causes:

A rapid pulse.
Pale, grey skin, especially inside the lips.
Sweating, and cold, clammy skin (sweat
does not evaporate).
As shock develops, there may be:

Weakness and giddiness.

Nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Thirst.

Rapid, shallow breathing.

A weak, ‘thready’ pulse. When the

pulse at the wrist disappears, fluid
loss may equal half the blood volume.
As the oxygen supply to the brain
weakens:
The casualty may become restless,
anxious and aggressive.
The casualty may yawn and gasp for
air (‘air hunger’).
The casualty will eventually become
unconscious.
Finally, the heart will stop.
 General symptoms:
• General body weakness – the most significant symptom
• Nausea with possible vomiting
• Thirst
• Dizziness & Confusion
• Restlessness, and fear /sign of shock/
• Fast breathing and shallow -
• Pulse – rapid and weak
• Pupils - dilated
• Face – pale
• Lips-blue
• Restlessness, become unresponsive
• Skin- cool and clammy- eyes- lack luster
• Breathing – rapid and shallow
 First aid management of shock
- Have the patient lie down and stay at
rest
- Keep the air way open and preventing
the forward tilting of the head
- Control external bleeding
- Keep the patient warm by covering with
blanket or sheet
- Properly position the patient
- Open air way and alert for vomiting
 If there is no spinal injuries use one of
the following positions
- Elevate the lower extremities, place patien
place patient-flat, face up, and elevate the
legs 8 to 12 inches
- Do not tilt the patient's body
- Do not elevate the leg if there are fractures
to the pelvic
- Nothing by mouth (NPO)
- Monitor the patient vital signs
- Refer the patient to Hospital
 Treatment
 DO NOT let the casualty move unnecessarily,
eat, drink, or smoke.
 DO NOT leave the casualty
unattended. Reassure the casualty constantly
 Treat any cause of shock which can be
remedied (such as external bleeding).
 Make the person lie down on the back.
 Lay the casualty down, keeping the head low.
 Raise and support the casualty’s legs (be
careful if suspecting a fracture).
THANK YOU