Types of wounds

By: Juliana Johan John

 Wound = An injury which breaks the skin or other

tissues and which can allow blood to escape from the body and germs to enter it Classification of wounds:

Wounds

Open

Closed

Open-wound
Allows blood to escape from the body There is disruption in the continuity of the skin

therefore susceptible to external bleeding and contamination Types of open wound : Incision Abrasion Laceration Puncture Avulsion Amputation

Incision
An open wound caused by sharp objects such as

knives, razor blades, and sharp glass or metal edges. Wound is smooth edged and bleeds freely Amount of bleeding depends upon the wounds : i. Depth ii. Location iii. Size Deep wound may cause severe damage to: i. Muscle ii. Nerves iii.Tendons

Laceration
A cut made by sharp instrument such as knife or

razor blade Produce jagged incision through skin surface and underlying structure Tend to bleed less severely than incised wounds These wounds are sometimes contaminated

Puncture
Is a stab from a pointed object. Example: nails, needles, fork, knife and even teeth Risk of infection is high if wound is deep because

germs and dirt may have carried into it Special treatment is required when the object causing the injury remains impaled in the wound

Abrasion
Superficial wound caused by rubbing or scrapping

Results in partial loss of skin surface

Avulsion
Is the tearing of a patch of skin or other tissues Not totally torn from the body but creates a loose,

hanging flap Involves body parts such as eyeballs, ears,fingers, or hands

Amputation
Involves cutting or tearing off a body part Example: fingers, toes, hands,feet, arms or leg.

Type Abrasion (scrape)

Cause(s)

Signs and symptoms

First Aid Remove all debris Wash away from wound with soap and water Control bleeding Wash wound

Rubbing or scraping Only skin surface affected Little bleeding Sharp object Smooth edges of wound Severe bleeding

Incision (Cut)

Laceration (Tearing)

Blunt object tearing skin

Veins and arteries can be affected Severe bleeding Danger of infection

Wound is narrow and deep into veins and arteries Embedded objects Danger of infection Tissue torn off or left hanging Severe bleeding

Control bleeding Wash wound

Puncture (Stab)

Sharp pointed object pierces skin

Do not remove impaled objects

Avulsion (torn off)

Machinery, Explosive

Control bleeding Take avulsed part to medical facility

Closed wounds
Example : Bruise and contusion Damage to soft tissue beneath skin No actual break in the skin Contusion = Local pain and swelling Hematoma = if large vessels have been torn

beneath the contused area, will be evident as a lump with bluish discoloration Treatment : Treat it with pressure and cold application to minimize swelling/ no specific treatment

Bleeding
Bleeding may not only be the most visible but

may also be the most often cared for Rapid loss of one quart or more of total blood volume by bleeding often leads to : i. irreversible shock ii. Death

Types of external bleeding

1. Arterial :

Blood from artery spurts; bright red in color (oxygen) Less likely to clot than other type of bleeding Blood loss often rapid and profuse (blood spurts) Dangerous (no blood clot can form) External means of control must be used to stop flow

Types of external bleeding

2. Venous : Bleeding is steady and dark-bluish-red color Easier to control than arterial bleeding Potential danger of air bubble or air embolism - Blood in larger veins being sucked back towards the heart; air bubble can be large enough to interfere the heart to pump blood because of the formed air block

Types of external bleeding

3. Capillary : Blood oozes from a capillary; similar color to venous blood Easily controlled Not immediately dangerous More or less control itself by clotting spontaneously

Hemophilia : Tendency to bleed as well as the inability of blood to clot. Life threatening.

Controlling external bleeding

1. Direct Pressure

- The quickest and most efficient mean of controlling external bleeding

2. Elevation - Control bleeding of extremity - Gravity helps to reduce blood pressure; slows bleeding

Controlling external bleeding

3. Pressure points - If direct pressure is not controlling sever bleeding in the arms and legs - Only after direct pressure and elevation have failed to control bleeding - Apply pressure at the point where artery is relatively near the surface and where it passes close to a bony structure against which it can be compressed; brachial point in the arm and femoral point in the groin

Controlling external bleeding

4. Tourniquet - Only is used in severe emergency when other means will not stop bleeding in an extremity - Can damage nerves and blood vessels - Can result in the loss of arm or leg - Use only as last resort

Steps of treatment for minor external bleeding

1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6.

Wash hands before dealing with the wound by rinsing it with running water (if possible) Temporarily protect wound with sterile swab. Carefully clean the surrounding skin with water and soap. Gently wipe away from the wound using each swab once only. If bleeding persists apply direct pressure Dress mall wound with an adhesive dressing (plaster) Raise and support the injured part unless suspect underlying fracture Seek medical aid if any doubt about injury