Severe Bleeding

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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 of an arm or leg, may not cause death as quickly, but large amounts of blood can be lost, and bleeding must be controlled.

Location of Arteries in the Body Figure 1-1

The body of a victim who is bleeding severely can make some natural adjustments that help to slow down the blood loss. Even initial severe bleeding, such as the uncontrolled hemorrhage from a cut artery, may lessen or stop spontaneously. When a large blood vessel is completely severed the normal elasticity of muscle layers in the vessels walls tends to make the cut ends retract. This retraction reduces the size of the opening through which blood can escape, and the flow of blood may slow down enough to initiate clothing. However, if a blood vessel is not completely severed, it will not retract to reduce the size of the opening the bleeding will continue unless clotting occurs or the blood pressure decreases.

Blood pressure is another natural influence on bleeding, when the pressure drops it decreases the volume of blood in the vessels, bleeding from a wound would tend to slow down. A lowered pressure, however, is a grave sign, and death from severe shock is possible. First-aiders are urged to remember that a relatively small amount of bleeding, such as that from an open scalp wound, can make a victim look as if he were in a critical state, even when there is no danger of death due to bleeding. However, it is logical to assume that any loss of blood is harmful to the victim, in as much as if could interfere with the normal functioning of his circulatory system, and the possibility to bleed to death in a very short period of time, blood loss of any amount should be stopped immediately.

If you suspect internal bleeding, seek emergency help. Signs of internal bleeding may include:

• Bleeding from body cavities (such as the ears, nose, rectum or vagina)
• Vomiting or coughing up blood.
• Bruising on neck, chest or abdomen.
• Wounds that have penetrated toe skull, chest or abdomen.
• Abdominal tenderness, possibly accompanied by rigidity or spasm of abdominal muscles.
• Fractures
• Shock, indicated by weakness, anxiety, thirst or skin that’s cool to the touch.

Other Nursing Articles you may want to look at:

• 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,
• 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
• Closed Wounds 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
• VITAL SIGNS2 v Provide excellent clues to the physiological functioning of the body. v Alteration in body fxn are reflected in the body temp, pulse, respirations and blood pressure. v These data provide part of the baseline info from which plan of care is developed. v Any change from normal is considered to be an indication of the person’s state
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Laboratory Study Values Definition: A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It measures the following: The number of red blood cells (RBCs) The number of white blood cells (WBCs) The total amount of hemoglobin in the blood The fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells