Questions and Answers 1 What characteristics describe the various degrees of burns? The historical classification of burns was first established almost 200 years ago and was based on the depth of the burn and is still utilized today. First-degree burns are…
Questions and Answers 1 You are called to the scene of a 78-year-old male who was involved in a motor vehicle collision after he ran a red light. He is reporting pain in his right wrist and left leg. Describe…
Questions and Answers 1 How should chest trauma be evaluated? Patients suffering from significant chest trauma may complain of chest pain, shortness of breath, back or flank discomfort, or abdominal pain. Significant injuries may be accompanied by tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension,…
Questions and Answers 1 How common are traumatic spine injuries (TSIs)? There are an estimated 12,000 injuries per year in the United States, with the majority occurring as a result of motor vehicle crashes and falls. 2 Why is this…
Questions and Answers 1 What is the anatomy of the brain and pathophysiology of injury? Familiarity with the anatomy leads to an understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. The skull is a hard area with a fixed volume.…
Questions and Answers 1 What is a traumatic injury? A traumatic injury is a term that refers to physical injuries of sudden and onset severity. These injuries require immediate medical attention as they can sometimes be life-threatening. Trauma makes up…
Questions and Answers 1 What is syncope? Syncope, commonly known as fainting, is a sudden and self-limited loss of consciousness with loss of postural tone. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Following an episode of syncope, patients should also…
Questions and answers 1 What is a stroke? A stroke, more formally termed a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is any event that disrupts blood supply to the brain and causes neurologic compromise. It is important to diagnose and treat early as…
Questions and answers 1 What is a seizure? A seizure occurs when there is an abnormal surge of coordinated electrical impulses in the brain. It can have many different objective appearances such as shaking of the whole body, part of…
Questions and Answers 1 What is dyspnea? The word stem dys- means difficult and -pnea means breath. Combined, the word dyspnea means difficult breath. The symptom of dyspnea or shortness of breath is very subjective and is included in the…