First Aid Management of Bleeding and Shock - Research Paper Example

Normally, bleeding points are caused by injuries on mucosal or external surfaces and stop spontaneously. However, there are conditions in which bleeding occurs spontaneously because of defects in blood clotting factors that automatically respond to injuries. As such, spontaneous, excessive bleeding is a tell-tale sign of clotting disorders or side effects of blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin. In such cases, more than the application of direct pressure to the site of bleeding is indicated (Zieve and Heller, 2011). 1. Reassuring the patent Before anything else, it is important to calm the patient.

Too much activity during bleeding will increase the chances of fainting, and an unconscious patient is harder to deal with because other symptoms may not be addressed right away because the patient is unable to tell the care provider (Zieve and Heller, 2011). . 3. Allowing blood to go to the brain In instances where the amount of blood extruded is substantial, the brain is the first to be affected because of its dependence on oxygen. It is important to provide ample blood flow to the brain at all costs because hypoxia in this organ can cause defects in cognitive processing, sensation, and motor skills.

Increasing blood flow to the brain can be done by asking the patient to lie down and elevate the legs above the level of the head. The gravity will cause the oxygenation to go to the blood instead of the caudal organs (Temple College; Zieve and Heller, 2011). Aside from maintaining the patient in the supine position, a blanket or jacket should be draped over the body so that blood that supplies the skin and mucosa to keep the body warm can be redirected instead to more important organs such as the brain (Zieve and Heller, 2011).

Proper ventilation should also be available and the patient’s airway should be cleared so that oxygen pressure does not add further to the limitations of the oxygen supply (Temple College). Similarly, it is also important to refrain from giving something to eat or drink to the patient, even if he or she complains of hunger or thirst. This also is a way to redirect most of the blood volume to organs where it is needed, such as the brain, instead of the gastrointestinal tract, which needs to be perfused when filled (Temple College).. 2.

Avoiding infection In ideal conditions it is best that clean hands or latex gloves are used to manage bleeding. Immunization, especially with Tetanus, can also prevent infection. HIV, Tetanus, and Hepatitis, diseases that have a poor prognosis, can be acquired from infected blood (Zieve and Heller, 2011). 2. Dressing open wounds and compressing hematoma The injured individual, aside from the shock, can acquire infections due to open wounds. It is thus important to properly clean the wounds. Superficial wounds can be cleaned with soap and water.

Debris or dirt should also be removed. However, an object such as a knife, stick, or arrow that is stuck in the body, should not be removed without proper medical preparation as it will only result in further loss of blood. For those that have organs showing through the wound, do not put them back in place. Cover the wound with moistened cloth or bandage. Direct pressure is then applied to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, the dressing can be taped securely, and a cold compress is applied over it (Zieve and Heller, 2011).