CPR + First Aid + BBP Certification Manual: Trauma Emergencies II

Bone, Muscle, Joint & Burn Injuries

Injuries to bones, joints, muscles, and skin should be managed carefully to prevent additional damage.

Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries

Possible injuries include:

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Sprains
• Strains

Signs may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Deformity
• Difficulty using the injured area
• Reduced range of motion
• Tenderness

First Aid Steps:

1. Ensure scene safety
2. Call 911 for serious injuries
3. Control significant bleeding
4. Keep the injured area still
5. Support the injury in the position found when practical
6. Do not attempt to straighten a visibly deformed limb or relocate a dislocated joint
7. Apply a wrapped cold pack for pain and swelling when appropriate
8. Seek medical evaluation when a fracture or dislocation is suspected

Avoid forcing movement to determine whether an injury is serious.

Sprains and Strains

For a minor sprain or strain, remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

For a minor sprain or strain:

• Protect the area from further injury
• Rest or limit painful activity
• Apply a wrapped cold pack for short periods
• Use compression when appropriate and not excessively tight
• Elevate the area when comfortable and appropriate

Stop compression if numbness, tingling, increasing pain, or discoloration develops.

Burns

Burns may result from heat, hot liquids, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. Burn severity depends on depth, size, location, cause and the person's overall condition.

Burn Classification by Depth

Burns are also classified by how deeply they affect the skin:

• 1st-degree (superficial): Affects only the outer layer of skin. Typically red and painful, without blisters.
• 2nd-degree (partial-thickness): Affects deeper skin layers. Often causes blistering, swelling, and significant pain.
• 3rd-degree (full-thickness): Affects all skin layers and may extend into underlying tissue. Skin may appear white, black, or leathery, and the area may be numb due to nerve damage.

Thermal Burns

First Aid Steps:

1. Ensure scene safety and stop the burning process
2. Call 911 for serious burns
3. Remove jewelry or loose clothing near the burn before swelling develops when it can be done safely
4. Do not remove material stuck to the skin
5. Cool a thermal burn with clean, cool running water
6. Do not use ice directly on the burn
7. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing when appropriate
8. Monitor the person for worsening symptoms

Do not apply butter, grease, toothpaste, or other home remedies. Do not intentionally break blisters.

Chemical Burns

Avoid direct contact with the chemical. Remove contaminated clothing when it can be done safely and follow the product-specific emergency instructions. Brush away dry chemicals before irrigation when appropriate for the substance. Flush exposed skin or eyes with large amounts of clean water when appropriate. Seek professional medical guidance.

Electrical Burns

Ensure the electrical source is no longer dangerous before touching the person. Call 911 for significant electrical injuries. Electrical burns may cause serious internal injury even when skin damage appears minor. Monitor breathing and responsiveness and provide CPR/AED care if necessary.

When Burns Require Prompt Medical Care

Seek prompt medical evaluation for:

• Deep or extensive burns
• Burns to the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints
• Electrical burns
• Significant chemical burns
• Burns associated with smoke inhalation or breathing difficulty
• Circumferential burns
• Burns in very young, older, or medically vulnerable individuals
• Any serious or worsening burn