13.2 PRIMARY SURVEY During the primary survey life-threatening conditions are identified. Assessment follows the familiar ABC pattern with significant additions. Catastrophic external haemorrhage <C> A irway with cervical spine control B…

Necessary airway equipment Face masks Airways including laryngeal mask airways Self-inflating bag–valve–mask devices Tracheal tubes, introducers and connectors Suction devices Cricothyroidotomy cannulae The airway equipment indicated in the above box…

Four cardiac arrest rhythms will be discussed in this chapter: 1 Asystole. 2 Pulseless electrical activity (including electromechanical dissociation). 3 Ventricular fibrillation. 4 Pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The four are divided into two groups: two…

In children, coma is caused by a diffuse metabolic insult (including cerebral hypoxia and ischaemia) in 95% of cases, and by structural lesions in the remaining 5%. Metabolic disturbances can…

Each of the slices of cheese represents barriers which would, under ideal circumstances, prevent A leading to B. However, all checks and balances can fail at some stage. This is…

Exceptions Increased effort of breathing does not occur in three circumstances: 1 Exhaustion. 2 Central respiratory depression. 3 Neuromuscular disease. Efficacy of breathing: chest expansion/abdominal excursion, breath sounds – reduced or absent, and…

Post-resuscitation investigations Chest radiograph Arterial or central venous blood gasses Haemoglobin, haematocrit and platelets Group and save serum for cross-match Sodium, potassium, calcium, urea and creatinine Clotting screen Blood glucose…

Indications of inhalational injury History of exposure to smoke in a confined space Burns around the mouth and nose Carbonaceous sputum Cough Hoarseness Weak voice Stridor The rapid oedema that…

Exceptions Increased effort of breathing does not occur in three circumstances: 1 Exhaustion (with imminent respiratory arrest). 2 Central respiratory depression. 3 Neuromuscular disease. Efficacy of breathing: chest expansion/abdominal excursion, breath sounds –…

Normal cerebral blood flow is 50 mL of blood per 100 g of brain tissue per minute. A fall in cerebral perfusion pressure decreases cerebral blood flow. A flow below 20 mL/100 g brain…