Prehospital emergency care 10th edition chapter 33
as an EMT you must remain aware that injuries to the eyes, face, or neck have a high probability of:
... [Show More] - correct answer--causing airway compromise, severe bleeding, and shock
additionally injury to the face and neck is likely to be associated with spinal injury
always maintain a high index of suspicion for spinal injury and give first priority to care for life-threatening compromise of the airway and circulation
the eye: - correct answer--the eyeball is 1 inch in diameter
it is covered with a tough outer coat called sclera: the exposed portion of the sclera is the white of the eye
the clear front portion of the eye the cornea covers pupil: and the iris: the colored portion
cornea: - correct answer--clear front portion of the eye
is the window through which light enters the eye
it is extremely sensitive and susceptible to injury
a superficial scratch or the smallest foreign object can cause extreme pain with redness and a flow of tears
the pupil: - correct answer--is the opening that expands and contracts to allow more or less light into the eye through the lens just behind the pupil
the lens: - correct answer--focuses light on the retina or the back of eye
the conjunctiva: - correct answer--the inner surface if the eyelids and the exposed portion of the sclera are line with a paper-thin covering
does not cover the cornea
the interior of the eye contains: - correct answer--the anterior chamber (front), which is anterior to the iris and is filled with watery fluid called the aqueous humor
behind the lens is the large vitreous body which is filled with a clear jelly called the vitreous humor
the orbits: - correct answer--the bony structures that surround the eyes
all of the structures in the eyes: - correct answer--the muscles that hold the eyes in position and the orbits of the eyes are suceptible to trauma ranging from minor abrasion and irritation to impaled objects that invade the interior of eye to extrusions in which the eye is pulled out of its socket
the face: - correct answer--14 bones comprise the face
only movable bone is the mandible
the face is extremely vascular
facial injuries even minor ones may bleed profusely
blood and pieces of broken bone, teeth, and other tissues may cause airway compromise when the face is injured
facial bones provide minimal protection for the airway and allow points of attachment for muscles and control facial expression and the manipulation of food
compromise of the facial structures can cause: - correct answer--a closed or an open brain injury with possible leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose or ears
a mechanism of injury that causes trauma to the face may cause injury to the spine or spinal cord [Show Less]