First Aid Nursing

8/6/2019 First Aid Nursing

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FIRST AID NURSING

FIRST AID:

First aid refers to the actions taken in response to help someone who is injured or suddenly taken ill.

OR

First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to the victim of an accident or sudden illness.

FIRST AIDER:

First aider is the person who takes this action while taking care to keep everyone safe and cause no further

harm.

Purposes of first aid:

1. To prevent disability

2. Preserve life

3. Assist recovery

4. Prevent aggravation of condition

5. Help in transporting to hospital

6. To avoid further injury

Points to remember while giving first aid:

Quick assessment

Protect yourself

Prevent cross infection

Provide comfort and reassurance

Early treatment

Arrange for help

Qualities of a fist aider:

Be calm-stay in control

Build and maintain trust

Be aware of risk



Give early treatment

Remember your own needs

Give comfort and reassurance

Observe carefully and quickly

Control crowd

Possess good judgment

Provide first aid according to priority

Acts tactfully

Golden rules of first aid:

1. Be calm and quick, be methodical

2. In cases of cessation of breathing give artificial respiration

3. Stop bleeding as soon as possible

4. Guard the casualty from shock, in case of difficulty transport to nearby hospital

5. Do only what is necessary

6. Reassure the casualty

7. Prevent crowding around the casualty

8. Do not remove clothes unnecessarily

9. Arrange for removal of casualty

How to deal a casualty?

Build trust

Make eye contact

Use calm, confident voice

Do not speak too quickly

Keep instructions simple

Use simple hand gestures



Be sensitive to casualty’s feelings

Do not interrupt the casualty

Take care of the casualty’s belongings

I.BANDAGES

PURPOSES OF BANDAGES:

o To retain dressings and splints

o To afford support to an injured part

o To control bleeding

o

To reduce or prevent swelling

o To assist in carrying casualties whole

broad

Triangular bandage



narrow

BANDAGES

Roller bandage

Application of triangular bandage:

Triangular bandaging can be used for the scalp,for the shoulder, forehead,side of the head, for the elbow,

for the hand, for the hip, the knee, the foot ,for a stump.

Triangular bandage as sling can be used for:arm sling,collar and cuff sling,triangular sling, improvised

slings.

PURPOSES OF SLINGS:

• To afford support

• To rest an upper limb

• To prevent extra weight

Application of roller bandages:

General rules:

Face the casualty

Hold the bandage in right hand

Apply the outer side of the free end to the part.

Bandage firmly from below upwards

Apply each layer of bandages so that it covers two-thirds of preceding one

See that the bandage is neither too tight nor too slack

Secure the bandage when completed

Methods of application:

a) Simple spiral

b) The reverse spiral

c) The figure of 8

d) The spica



II.TRANSPORTING METHODS OF CASUALTY

Factors influencing selection of methods:

Nature of injury

Severity of injury

Number of helpers

Distance to shelter

Transportation methods

I. Support by helpers

II. Hand seats Cradle

III. Stretcher

IV. Wheeled transport Human crutch

Pick-a-back

One bearer Fireman’s lift and carry

METHODS OF CARRYING Four handed seat

Two handed seat

Two or more bearers Fore and aft method



Stretchers

III.WOUNDS AND BLEEDING

Wound- Break in the continuity of the tissues of the body.

Bleeding- Blood loss due to the loss of continuity of blood vessels.

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS:

1) Puncture wound

2) Stab wound

3) Lacerated wound

4) Abrasion wound

5) Incised wound

6) Contusion wound

7) Gunshot wound

TYPES OF BLEEDIG:

• Arterial bleeding-From artery, profuse, blood spurts out.

• Venous bleeding-Darker red, less pressure.

• Capillary bleeding-Slight blood loss.

• Internal bleeding-

Signs: bleeding from body orifices, pain, rapid shallow breathing, confusion, pale, cold, clammy

skin, may develop shock.

First aid: Treatment of shock.

• Visible external bleeding-

Signs: visible blood loss according to the type of injury.



First aid: apply direct pressure, protect from shock, support injured part and give raised position,

give temporary dressing.

SHOCK

Condition in which the circulatory system fails and as a result the vital organs are deprived of oxygen.

Signs:

Initially…Rapid pulse, pale cold clammy skin, sweating.

Later…rapid breathing, weak thready pulse , Grey-blue skin, weakness, nausea, thirst, restlessness,

unconciousness and Finally… the heart stops.

Treatment:

Treat the cause of shock, raise the leg above heart level, stop unnecessary movements, loosen tightclothing, keep casualty warm, monitor vitals.

IV.FRACTURES

Simple or closed

Compound or open

FRACTURES Communited

Impacted

Greenstick

Depressed

SIGNS:

Pain, tenderness, swelling, loss of power, deformity of limb, irregularity of bone, crepitus, unnatural

movement

TREATMENT-CLOSED FRACTURE:

Advice to keep still provide extra support with padding secure the part to an unaffected part

treat for shock if necessary.

TREATMENT-OPEN FRACTURE:

Cover the wound secure sterile dressing with a bandage immobilize injured part treat casualty

for shock if necessary.



SPINAL INJURY

Spine may be broken either by direct or indirect force. it is usually caused

by falling from height, falling awkwardly, diving into a pool, sudden deceleration, heavy object falling,

injury to head etc.

SIGNS:

Pain in neck, irregularity in normal curvature of spine, tenderness, loss of control of limbs, loss of

sensation, loss of bladder and bowel control.

FIRST AID:

Do not move the casualty…place the body in a straight line…open the casualty’s airway by using jaw

thrust…check breathing…begin CPR…monitor vital signs…apply broad bandage if needed.

FRACTURE OF RIBS

Rib fracture can be caused by direct or crush injury.

FIRST AID:

Help him/her to sit…support the arm on the injured side…arrange to send to the hospital.

V.BURNS AND SCALDS

CAUSES:

Dry heat, Friction, Corrosive chemicals ,Contact with hot objects etc.

TYPES:

Dry burn--fumes, friction

Scald--steam, hot liquids

Electrical burn--high voltage current

Cold injury--Frost bite

Chemical burn--chemicals

Radiation burn--sunburn

Based on depth of burns



Superficial burn

Partial thickness burn

Full thickness burn

FIRST AID:

Help to sit or lie...start cooling the injury…do not touch the burnt wound…gently remove the

constraints…cover the area…reassure the casualty.

BURNS TO AIRWAY:

FIRST AID —improve the air supply…offer casualty ice chips or small sips of cold water…monitot the

vital signs.

SUNBURN

Over exposure to the sun or a sunlamp can result in sunburn.

SIGNS: headache, dizziness, restlessness and confusion, hot flushed dry skin, bounding pulse ,body

temperature above 104◦F.

FIRST AID: Move the casualty to a cool place…wrap him in a cool wet sheet…monitor and record the

vital signs.

VI.POISONING

Poison is substance that if absorbed into the body in sufficient quantity can cause temporary or permanent

damage.

ROUTES OF POISONING:

• Swallowed—drugs, alcohol, plant poisons, viral food poisons.

• Absorbed through the skin—cleaning products, industrial poisoning.

• Inhaled—fumes from fires, industrial poisons.

• Splashed in the eye—cleaning products

• Injected through the skin—venom from stings, drugs.

SWALLOWED POISONING:



SIGNS: Vomiting, diarrhoea, cramping pain, burning sensation, impaired consciousness, seizures.

FIRST AID: Collect history about the poison, don’t induce vomiting, wear protective gloves, goggles

and mask, in case of burnt lips give him cool sips.

DRUGS CAUSING POISONING:

Pain killers: Paracetamol, Aspirin.

Sedatives: Benzodiazepines

Stimulants: Amphetamines

Anaesthetic agents: Ketamine

Narcotics: Morphine

SIGNS OF ALCOHOL POISONING:

Strong smell of alcohol, empty bottles, impaired consciousness, flushed and moist face, full bounding

pulse, deep noisy breathing.

SNAKE BITE

SIGNS: A pair of fang marks, severe pain, redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, disturbed vision,

increased salivation, sweating.

FIRST AID: Help to lie down, apply pressure bandage after cleaning the wound, try to identify the

snake, monitor the casualty, allow him to remain still, take the casualty to the hospital.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE EYE:

SIGNS: Blurred vision, pain or discomfort, redness, eye lids screwed up.

FIRST AID: Prevent the rubbing of the eye, gently separate and examine the eye, pour clean water for

removing the object, also the object can be removed by using moist swab or using a clean

handkerchief.

FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE EAR:

SIGNS: Temporary deafness, damage in the ear drum.

FIRST AID: reassure the casualty, in case of insect flood the ear with tepid water, send the casualty to

hospital.



FOREIGN BODY IN THE NOSE:

SIGNS: noisy breathing, swelling of nose, blood stained discharge from the nose.

FIRST AID: Reassure the casualty, instruct to breathe through the mouth, and don’t try to remove the

object himself, send the casualty to the hospital.

ANIMAL BITES

SIGNS: Pointed teeth marks, puncture wounds, crush injury.

FIRST AID: Try to identify the animal, wash the bite wound with soap and water, raise and support

the wound, take the casualty to the hospital.

INSECT STINGS:

SIGNS: Pain, Redness and swelling.

FIRST AID: Raise the affected part, apply ice packs to reduce swelling, monitor anaphylaxis, monitor vital signs.

HYPERGLYCEMIA

SIGNS: Dry and warm skin, rapid pulse, fruity sweet breath, drowsiness, unconsciousness.

FIRST AID: Monitor vital signs, take the casualty to the hospital.

HYPOGLYCEMIA

SIGNS: Weakness, faintness, confusion, irrational behaviour, sweating with cold clammy skin, rapid

pulse, deteriorating level of response, history of diabetes.

FIRST AID: Make the casualty to sit, give him a sugary food, help him to check the sugar level, allow

him to take rest, send the casualty to the hospital.

VII.BASIC LIFE SUPPORT [BLS]

DEFINITION:

Basic life support refers to maintaining airway patency, supporting breathing and

circulation without the use of supportive equipments.



COMPONENTS:

Basic life support focus on three aspects:

• Airway: cleared by removal of any obstruction.

• Breathing: restored by artificial breathing

Mouth to mouth

Mouth to nose

Mouth to mask

PROCEDURE:

ASSESSMENT:

Check for the response of the patient-grasp the shoulders and ask “Are you ok”.

Check airway of the client. Check for any foreign body or secretions that obstruct the

airway. If present remove them by Heimlich maneuver.

Check breathing of the victim- LOOK, LISTEN and FEEL the respiration.

Check the pulse mainly the carotid pulse.

PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT:

Position yourself at the victim’s side.

Make sure that the victim is lying on his back on a firm, flat surface.

Remove any foreign materials in the mouth.

Use jaw thrust or head tilt and chin lift method to clear the airway.

GIVING ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION:

Pinch the nose closed with your thumb and index finger.

Take a regular (not a deep) breath and seal your lips around the victim’s mouth creating a

tight seal.

Give 1 breath; watch the chest for rise as you give breath.

If the chest does not rise, repeat the head tilt and chin lift.



Give a second breath and watch for the chest rise.

Reassess the victim and prepare the victim for chest compression.

GIVING CHEST COMPRESSIONS:

o Position yourself at the victim’s side.

o Make sure the victim is lying on his back on a firm and flat surface.

o Remove the clothing so that the chest can be visualized.

o Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the victim’s chest between the nipples.

o Place the heel of your other hand on the top of the first hand.

o Straighten your arms and position your shoulders directly over your hands.

o Compress the Sternum to about one and a half to two inches.

o For each compression make sure that you push straight down on victim’s breast bone.

o At the end of each compression make sure that you allow the chest to recoil.

o Deliver the compressions in a smooth fashion at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.

o Give it as a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

AFTER CARE OF THE PATIENT:

Assess the pulse and respiration.

If the victim is recovered, place the victim in side lying position.

Position is called Recovery position.

If the victim does not recover, call for help and immediately shift to hospital.



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First Aid Nursing