First Aid: Wounds, Burns and Shock Flashcards

What is the primary first aid treatment for a minor laceration (cut) with active bleeding?

Answer: Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage for at least 5-10 minutes without lifting to check

Direct pressure is the most effective first-line method to control bleeding; sustained pressure allows clotting to occur.

What is the 'Rule of Nines' used for in burn assessment?

Answer: To estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns for fluid resuscitation calculations

The Rule of Nines divides the adult body into areas of 9% or 18% TBSA to quickly estimate total burned surface area for guiding treatment.

How are burn injuries classified by depth, and what characterizes each degree?

Answer: First-degree (superficial, redness only), Second-degree (partial thickness, blisters), Third-degree (full thickness, white/charred, painless), Fourth-degree (charred to bone/muscle)

Burns are classified by depth: first-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial thickness with blisters), third-degree (full thickness, painless), fourth-degree (extending to muscle/bone).

What is the correct first aid treatment for a chemical burn to the skin?

Answer: Immediately flush with large amounts of cool running water for at least 20 minutes, while removing contaminated clothing and jewelry

Continuous water irrigation for at least 20 minutes is the most effective treatment for chemical burns—neutralizers can generate heat and worsen injury.

What are the three stages of burn shock, and when does it typically begin?

Answer: Fluid shift/hypovolemic phase (0-48 hours), diuretic phase (48-72 hours), recovery—shock begins within minutes to hours of significant burn

Major burns cause massive fluid shift into the wound and surrounding tissue (capillary leak), leading to hypovolemic shock within hours.

What are the key signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock?

Answer: Tachycardia, hypotension, pale/cold/clammy skin, altered mental status, decreased urine output, and rapid weak pulse

Hypovolemic shock manifests as compensatory tachycardia, then hypotension, poor perfusion signs (pale, clammy skin), decreased consciousness, and oliguria.

When is a tourniquet the appropriate first aid treatment for a wound?

Answer: For life-threatening extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct pressure

Tourniquets are life-saving for severe extremity hemorrhage that doesn't stop with direct pressure—they are now recommended in public first aid.

What is the proper first aid treatment for a suspected open (sucking) chest wound?

Answer: Seal the wound with a vented chest seal or improvised non-occlusive dressing taped on three sides to allow air to escape during exhalation

A vented chest seal (or three-sided dressing) prevents tension pneumothorax by sealing the wound while allowing air to escape during exhalation.

What is the appropriate first aid response for a minor burn (first-degree or small second-degree)?

Answer: Cool the burn with cool (not ice cold) running water for 10-20 minutes, cover loosely with a sterile bandage, and avoid breaking blisters

Cool (not ice) water for 10-20 minutes reduces heat damage; avoid ice (causes frostbite), butter (traps heat, promotes infection), or popping blisters.

How should an impaled object in a wound be managed in the field?

Answer: Leave the object in place, stabilize it with bulky dressings, and control bleeding around the object without applying pressure on it

Impaled objects should never be removed in the field—they may be sealing damaged vessels; stabilize in place and transport for surgical removal.

What is neurogenic shock, and what makes it different from hypovolemic shock?

Answer: Neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injury causing loss of sympathetic tone, leading to vasodilation and bradycardia rather than the typical compensatory tachycardia seen in hypovolemic shock

Neurogenic shock from spinal injury causes vasodilation + bradycardia (unlike hypovolemic shock's vasoconstriction + tachycardia) due to loss of sympathetic nervous system control.

What is the RICE protocol for soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains?

Answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation — the standard initial treatment for musculoskeletal injuries

RICE: Rest (avoid stressing the injury), Ice (reduce swelling and pain for 20 min every 2-3 hours), Compression (elastic bandage), Elevation (above heart level to reduce swelling).

When is it appropriate to apply a wound dressing for a major wound before definitive medical care?

Answer: Immediately, after controlling major bleeding with direct pressure—clean the wound only with clean water if available, apply dressing, and seek immediate medical care

For major wounds, control bleeding first, then apply a dressing and seek immediate care—do not delay dressing application to clean the wound thoroughly.

What are the warning signs of wound infection that should prompt medical evaluation?

Answer: Increasing redness, warmth, and swelling beyond 48-72 hours, purulent (pus) discharge, fever, red streaks extending from the wound, or severe pain

Signs of wound infection include worsening redness, increasing swelling, pus, fever, red streaks (lymphangitis), and escalating pain—all require medical evaluation.

What is the appropriate first aid for a suspected fracture, and what assessment helps distinguish fracture from sprain?

Answer: Immobilize the injury in the position found using a splint (rigid or soft) extending above and below the injury, check circulation/sensation/movement (CSM) before and after splinting

Splint in the position found, check CSM before and after, and seek medical care—the only reliable way to distinguish fracture from sprain is X-ray.

What is the correct first aid approach for electrical burns and shock injuries?

Answer: Ensure the scene is safe (power off or victim away from source) before approaching; assess for cardiac arrest, entry/exit wounds, internal burns, and spinal injury

Scene safety is the absolute priority in electrical injuries; the victim may still be in contact with live current, making rescuer approach potentially fatal.

What is the recommended first aid position for a conscious patient in hypovolemic shock without suspected spinal injury?

Answer: Supine (flat on back) with legs elevated 8-12 inches (Trendelenburg-like position)

Laying flat with legs elevated uses gravity to increase venous return to the heart, improving cardiac output in hypovolemic shock.

What is the proper first aid treatment for a thermal burn covering more than 10% TBSA in an adult?

Answer: Call 911 immediately; cool the burn briefly (20 min max for small areas), do not overcool (risk of hypothermia), cover loosely with clean dressings, and keep the patient warm

Major burns >10% TBSA require immediate EMS activation; excessive cooling risks hypothermia—cool briefly, cover, keep warm, and call for help.

What is 'septic shock,' and how does it differ from hypovolemic shock?

Answer: Septic shock is a form of distributive shock where overwhelming systemic infection causes massive vasodilation, hypotension, and organ dysfunction despite adequate fluid resuscitation

Septic shock is distributive—infection causes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, leading to refractory hypotension despite fluid administration.

When assessing a wound, what does 'DCAP-BTLS' stand for?

Answer: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations — Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling

DCAP-BTLS is an EMS trauma assessment mnemonic: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.