Fracture and soft tissue injury management
Definitions: What are fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations? A fracture is described as a break in the continuity of a bone; this can be the result of excessive force, repetitive…
Airway management
Definition of airway management Airway management may be defined as the provision of a free and clear passageway for airflow. Obstruction of the airway may be partial or complete and…
Respiratory observations and examination techniques
Indications for respiratory assessment There are a variety of conditions that require respiratory assessment of varying levels, the level of assessment and observation should be based upon clinical judgement; however…
Cardiovascular observations and examination techniques
The assessment of pulses A pulse is the alternating expansion and recoil of arteries during each cardiac cycle; it is felt as the pressure wave passes through the arterial tree.1…
Medical gases
Definition and indications for the use of Entonox Entonox is an inhaled analgesic gas comprising of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen that is indicated in the management of moderate…
Assisted ventilation
Definition of assisted ventilation Assisted ventilation is where the practitioner offers ventilatory support to a patient whose alveolar ventilation is inadequate to maintain normal partial pressures of oxygen and carbon…
Pain assessment and management
Definitions A widely used definition of pain is: ‘… an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage’.11 This…
Assessment and management of wounds and burns
Definitions A wound is defined as a break in an organ or tissue caused by an external agent; this can be divided into seven broad categories2 that will be discussed…
Infection control
Definitions Infection control is the application of standard principles to prevent health-care associated infections (HCAI) and is essential in the reduction of HCAI. Asepsis is described as the state of…
Needle thoracocentesis
Definitions Needle thoracocentesis involves placing a wide-bore cannula into the mid-clavicular line of the second intercostal space, just above the third rib, in order to decompress a tension pneumothorax.1 Normally,…
