Lecture 8

The risk for injury is always present as we go about our daily activities and interact with the world around us. Taking appropriate safety precautions significantly reduces that risk, but injuries do happen. When a person is injured, providing proper first aid can speed recovery and may even save the person’s life.

Wounds

A wound is an injury that results when the skin or other tissues of the body are damaged. Wounds are generally classified as closed or open. Pay attention! In Russian-language textbooks, the concept of "wound" is similar to the concept of "open wound". In this case, a wound is a type of injury, a damage to the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes, and often with damage to the deeper located tissues and organs (the subcutaneous fat, muscle, nerve trunks and blood vessels, internal organs). 

Closed Wounds

When a person has a closed wound, the surface of the skin is intact but the underlying tissues are injured. A bruise (contusion) is a very common type of closed wound, usually caused by blunt
trauma. Bruises occur when the small blood vessels under the surface of the skin are damaged and blood leaks into the surrounding tissues.

Signs and Symptoms of Closed Wounds

• The area may appear red or purple
• There may be swelling
• The bruised area is often painful

First Aid Care for Closed Wounds

Applying a cold pack to the bruised area can help to decrease the bleeding and reduce pain and swelling. To make a cold pack, fill a sealable plastic bag with a mixture of ice and water. Before applying the cold pack to the person’s skin, wrap it in a thin, dry towel to protect the skin from injury.
Hold the cold pack in place for no more than 20 minutes, and then wait at least 20 minutes before applying the cold pack again. If the person is not able to tolerate a 20-minute application, apply the cold pack for periods of 10 minutes on and off. Elevating the injured area may help to reduce
swelling, but do not elevate the injured area if doing so causes pain.