Closed Wounds

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External forces, such as falls and motor vehicle accidents, cause most closed wounds. May closed wounds are relatively small and involve soft tissues; the black eye is an example: Others, however, involve fractures of the limbs, spine, or skill and damage to vital organs within the skull, chest, or abdomen. Massive injury to soft tissues – such as muscles, blood vessels, and nerves – can be very serious and can result in lasting disabilities.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain and tenderness are most common. Usual signs are swelling and discoloration of soft tissues and deformity of limbs caused by fractures or discolorations, Suspect a closed wound with internal bleeding and possible rupture of a body organ whenever powerful force exerted on the body has produced severe shock or unconsciousness. Even of signs of injury are obvious, internal injury is probable when any of the following general symptoms are present:

• Cold, clammy pale skin, very rapid but weak pulse, rapid breathing and dizziness.
• Pain and tenderness in a part of the body in which injury is suspected, especially if deep pain continues but seems out of proportion to the outward signs of injury.
• Uncontrolled restlessness and excessive thirst.
• Vomiting or coughing up of blood or passage of blood in the urine or feces.

To stop severe bleeding:

1. Have the injured person lie down. If possible, position the person’s head slightly lower than the trunk or elevate the legs. This position reduces the risk of fainting by increasing blood flow to the brain. If also possible, elevate the site of bleeding.
2. Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don’t remove any large or more deeply embedded objects. Don’t probe the wound or attempt to clean it at this point. Your principal concern is to stop the bleeding.
3. Apply pressure directly on the wound. Use a sterile bandage, clean cloth or even a piece of clothing. If nothing else is available, use your hand.
4. Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops. When it does, bind the wound tightly with a bandage (or even a piece of clean clothing) and adhesive tape.
5. Don’t reposition displaced organs. If the wound is abdominal and organs have been displaced, don’t try to reposition them. Cover the wound with a dressing.

Other Nursing Articles you may want to look at:

• First Aid for Open Wounds If the wound is in an inconspicuous location, is not deep, and gapes slightly, the first-aider may find that he need only hold the wound edges together and dress and bandage the injury. At times, however, it may be difficult for the first-aider to decide whether a wound needs medical care. He may ask himself,
• Types & Causes of Open Wounds A wound is a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body, either internal or external. Wounds are classified as open or closed. An open wound is a break in the skin or in a mucous membrane. A closed wound involves underlying tissues without a break in the skin or a mucous membrane. Causes Wounds
• Techniques to Stop Severe Bleeding Direct pressure Severe bleeding of an open wound can usually be controlled by pressing with the palm of one hand to compress of cloth over the entire area of the wound. A thick pad of sterile gauzes is preferable, but any soft clean cloth can be used in an emergency. Ever unclean material can be used,
• Severe Bleeding Loss of more than a quart of blood is a threat to a person’s survival. Hemorrhage from the aorta or from combined external and internal injuries may be so rapid and extensive that the victim dies almost immediately. The loss of blood in some other kinds of wounds such as the partial or complete severing
• Types of Surgery Surgery is a medical technology consisting of a physical intervention on tissues. As a general rule, a procedure is considered surgical when it involves cutting of a patient’s tissues or closure of a previously sustained wound. Other procedures that do not necessarily fall under this rubric, such as angioplasty or endoscopy, may be considered