LESSON 13
CHEST, ABDOMINAL AND PELVIC
INJURIES
© 2011 National Safety Council
13-1
Common Causes of Chest Injuries
Common causes:
• Striking steering wheel
in vehicle crash
• Blow to chest
• Fall from a height
• Sports injury
• Physical assault
• Penetrating injury or
impaled object
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Serious Chest Injury
General signs and symptoms:
• Breathing problems
• Severe pain
• Bruising, swelling
• Deformity
• Coughing blood
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Pneumothorax
• Air escapes from injured lung into thoracic cavity
causing collapse of some or all of lung
• Results in respiratory distress
• Call 9-1-1
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Hemothorax
• Blood from injury accumulates in thoracic cavity,
compressing the lung
• Causes respiratory distress and possibly shock
• Call 9-1-1
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Broken Ribs
• Typically result from blunt trauma
• Common in lower ribs and along the side
• Usually cause severe pain, discoloration and swelling
at site
• Injuries to lungs or other underlying organs may also
be present with severe trauma
• Always call 9-1-1
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First Aid for Broken Ribs
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Flail Chest: Paradoxical Movement
• Paradoxical movement
- Flail segment moves in opposite direction to rest of
chest wall
• The larger the flail segment, the greater the threat to
respiratory function
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First Aid for Flail Chest
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Help victim sit in comfortable position for easiest
breathing
3. Splint flail area
4. Position victim lying on injured side
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Sucking Chest Wound
• Open wound in chest caused by penetrating injury
• Wound lets air move in and out of chest during
breathing
• Can be life threatening
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First Aid for Sucking Chest Wound
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Put thin sterile dressing over wound
3. Cover dressing with plastic wrap to make air-tight
seal, and tape on 3 sides
4. Position victim inclined toward injured side
© 2011 National Safety Council
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First Aid: Sucking Chest Wound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsRPM6jJgZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHSeFm89EoM
© 2011 National Safety Council
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continued
Abdominal Injuries
• Include closed and open wounds
• Commonly result from blow to abdomen or fall
• May involve internal or external bleeding
• Victim needs immediate medical care
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Closed Abdominal Injury
• Can be life threatening
• Internal organs may
have ruptured
- May be severe bleeding
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First Aid for Closed Abdominal Injury
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Carefully position victim on back and loosen any
tight clothing
3. Treat victim for shock and monitor victim’s breathing
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Open Abdominal Wound
• Usually injures internal organs (intestines, liver,
kidneys or stomach)
• Large wound may cause evisceration
- Abdominal organs protrude through wound
- Serious emergency
© 2011 National Safety Council
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First Aid for Open Abdominal Wound
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Lay victim on back
3. Cover wound with dry
non-adherent or
moist sterile dressing
4. Cover with large
occlusive dressing
5. Treat for shock
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Pelvic Injuries
• Most common is fractured pelvis
• More common in elderly
- May occur from fall
• May cause severe internal bleeding
- Life threatening
- May cause shock
• Victim may also have a spinal injury
© 2011 National Safety Council
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First Aid for Pelvic Injuries
1. Call 9-1-1.
2. Help victim lie on back
3. If help delayed, immobilize legs together
4. Treat for shock. Monitor breathing and be ready to
give CPR if needed
© 2011 National Safety Council
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