Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

8 Muscle, Bone and Joint Injuries

Jaw and tooth fractures may be complicated by wounds in the mouth and debris or blood in the airway. Be ready to clear the airway as needed (See Chapter 3, Airway and Breathing).

Signs and Symptoms Head Injury

• Pain at injury site • Swollen, bruised, or bleeding scalp • Deformed skull • Deformed jaw • Light yellow fluid from ears or nose • Unequal pupil size • Bruising around the eyes or behind the ears • Bleeding from the mouth, nose, or ears • Altered level of consciousness, possibly confused or combative, unconscious • Nausea, vomiting • Difficulty breathing, irregular breathing

Bruising behind the ears

First aid for a skull fracture is determined by the signs and symptoms. Always suspect a spinal injury when giving aid for skull fractures. If the mechanism of injury suggests, provide first aid for a spinal injury and provide spinal motion restriction before proceeding.

• Very slow heart rate • Weakness or paralysis • Shock • Convulsions

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