Amputation for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Amputation: Definition/Etiology: A traumatic amputation is the loss of part of or the entire extremity. This is usually caused by external sharp or blunt forces. You can have something sliced right off, or crushed to the point of separation. The most affected areas are the fingers, toes, arms and legs. Pathophysiology: Patho usually applies […]
Compartment Syndrome for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Compartment Syndrome: Definition/Etiology: Compartment syndrome is the buildup of pressure within a closed body space, usually one of the extremities, but can also occur in the abdomen. This is usually the result of bleeding or edema secondary to a traumatic event, most commonly seen in crush injuries. Pathophysiology: The compartments that house the […]
Avulsions and Degloving Injuries for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Avulsions and Degloving Injuries Definition/Etiology: An avulsion is an injury that involves peeling the skin from the underlying tissues. As the skin separates from the underlying tissue, it can lead to further tissue devascularization. When the skin is completely separated from the underlying tissue, it is considered a devloging injury. Imaging the skin on your […]
Penetrating Injuries for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Penetrating Injuries Definition/Etiology: Penetrating injuries from guns, industrial accidents, paint guns, and nail guns Appearance of entrance wound does not always reflect the amount of damage beneath Do not remove impaling objects Pathophysiology: Firearm injuries can result in extensive damage to underlying tissues and organs Fragments from shattered bones can form secondary projectiles […]
Wound Bleeding (Uncontrolled External Hemorrhage) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Wound Bleeding (Uncontrolled External Hemorrhage) Definition/Etiology: Active Blood loss ranging from mild to severe/life threatening Collaborative Management: ABCs Stop the bleed!!! Apply direct pressure to external bleeding Elevate bleeding extremity, ice to encourage vasospasm and vasoconstriction Clamp or ligate bleeding vessels (MD), tourniquet Splint fractures – Pelvic binder/sheeting or stabilizer for unstable pelvic […]
Maxillofacial Trauma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Maxillofacial Trauma: Definition/Etiology: Maxillofacial trauma is anything that causes trauma to the face. Common sources of maxillofacial trauma include the following: Motor vehicle crashes Intimate partner violence Sporting injuries Penetrating trauma Falls In the past MVCs were the top culprit for these injuries. However, with better safety features in cars these days, like airbags and seatbelts […]
Increased Intraocular Pressure for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Increased Intraocular Pressure: Definition/Etiology: Increased intraocular pressure is just what it sounds like, an increase in the pressure of the eye. For our purposes, we are going to talk about 2 conditions which can cause that increase: Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG) Central retinal artery occlusion is a condition […]
Burns for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Burns: Definition/Etiology: I think we all know this, but the actual definition of a burn is an injury caused by heat or flame. That being said, the definition isn’t as important as the etiology. Most burns are thermal, from hot liquids, fire, flames, flash (like electricity) and contact with a hot object. The severity of […]
Envenomation Emergencies for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Envenomation Emergencies: Definition/Etiology: Envenomation is the exposure to a poison or toxin resulting from a bite or sting from an animal such as a snake, scorpion, spider, or insect, or from marine life. I mean just think about the word. Venom is a poison secreted by an animal and transmitted by biting or stinging. Envenom […]
C. Difficile for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
C. Difficile Definition/Etiology: Profuse diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile – Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus Gives rise to antibiotic-associated diarrhea Pathophysiology: ??? Clinical Presentation: Profuse, frequent diarrhea Abdominal cramping, pain Fever Nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss Dehydration, hypovolemia Kidney failure Collaborative Management: Interventions- Standard and contact precautions Stop antibiotics if possible […]