TRAUMA – BLEEDING AND WOUND MANAGEMENT
INTERNAL BLEEDS
Recognition
Internal bleeds may be caused by blunt trauma or impact to the body. Some medical problems such as an ulcer or Cancer can also cause a person to bleed internally.
All casualties that have been subjected to a forceful impact to the torso should be assessed for internal injury & bleeding. This includes those who have been involved in a motor accident at reasonably high speeds. A casualty suffering an internal bleed may display one or a number of the following:
- Coughing of blood,
- vomiting blood,
- blood in the urine or blood in the faeces
- swelling and bruising around the abdominal area
- signs of increasing shock
Management
- The casualty will need to be rested in a comfortable position, generally lying down flat
- If there are rib injuries that have penetrated the lung, a semi-reclined resting position may be more comfortable for the casualty
- If there is serious abdominal trauma, have the knees supported in a slightly raised position
- Call 000 & treat for shock