Etapa 5. Vídeo 4. Primeros auxilios: Hemorragias y fracturas. Tu ruta hacia el éxito profesional

Understanding Hemorrhages and Fractures

Types of Hemorrhages

• Hemorrhage is defined as the exit of blood from blood vessels, classified into three types:

• External: Blood exits the body.

• Internal: Blood leaves the vessel but remains inside the body.

• Exteriorized: Blood exits through natural orifices like the nose or ear.

Managing External Hemorrhages

• For external hemorrhages, immediate action is crucial:

• Start with direct compression on the wound for about 10 minutes using a clean dressing.

• If bleeding continues, apply arterial compression by pressing against the bone near the injury site.

• If both techniques fail, a tourniquet may be necessary. This method is aggressive and can have long-term consequences for the injured person.

Techniques for Compression

• To perform direct compression:

• Apply pressure at the bleeding point for approximately ten minutes without removing soaked dressings.

• Elevate the injured limb above heart level unless spinal injury is suspected.

• For arterial compression:

• Use fingertip pressure against major arteries (e.g., humeral in arm, femoral in thigh).

Tourniquet Application

• A tourniquet should be placed between the wound and heart using soft materials.

• It requires two turns followed by securing a stick to tighten until bleeding stops.

• Important to note when it was applied and transport immediately to a medical facility.

Handling Exteriorized Hemorrhages

• In cases of nasal bleeding:

• Sit the patient upright and pinch their nose for five minutes while leaning forward to prevent swallowing blood clots.

• If bleeding persists after five minutes, insert moistened gauze into the affected nostril.

Ear Bleeding Management

• For ear hemorrhages:

• Position patient laterally with affected ear downwards to allow drainage of blood while monitoring vital signs before transferring them to medical care.

Recognizing Internal Hemorrhages

• Internal hemorrhage often results from severe trauma leading to shock. Signs include altered consciousness, cold skin, paleness, or weak rapid pulse due to insufficient blood flow to cells.

Response Protocol for Internal Bleeding

• In case of internal bleeding:

• Keep patient still and warm; elevate legs so that head is lower than feet while monitoring vital signs before evacuation to a hospital.

Fractures: Identification and Management

Types of Fractures

• A fracture is defined as a break in bone integrity. They are categorized as:

• Open fractures: Bone protrudes through skin due to displacement.

• Closed fractures: Skin remains intact over broken bone.

Immobilization Techniques

• Always aim to immobilize fractured areas using improvised materials (e.g., wood).

• Ensure padding around splints prevents further injury during stabilization above and below fracture points.

Specific Fracture Management Strategies

• For shoulder fractures: use a sling against chest.

• For arm/forearm fractures: create slings as demonstrated visually in accompanying images.

Special Cases

• In vertebral fractures, keep patient lying flat without movement until specialized help arrives.