Chapter 10
Soft Tissue
Injures
Brittney Morgan
&
Katie Larson
Vocabulary

Soft tissues - Body structures that include the layers
of skin, fat, and muscles.

Wound - An injury to the soft tissue.

Burn - An injury to the skin or to other body tissues
caused by heat, chemicals, electricity or
radiation.

Dressing - A pad placed directly over a wound to
absorb blood and other body fluids and to
prevent infection.
Soft Tissues

The soft tissues include the layers of skin, fat, and
muscle that protect the underlying body
structures.


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Epidermis – Provides a barrier to bacteria and other
organisms that can cause infection.
Dermis – Contains the nerves, sweat glands, oil
glands, and blood vessels.
Hypodermis – Contains fat, blood vessels and
connective tissues.
Adipose – Insulates the body to help maintain body
temperature, mechanical cushion, and source of
energy.
Wounds

Closed wound – Skin’s surface is not broken; tissue
damage and any bleeding occur below the
surface

Contusion – The simplest closed wound, also called a
bruise. When a bump or blow occurs, it results in
damage to soft tissue layers and vessels, causing
internal bleeding. Blood and other fluids seep into
surrounding tissues, causing discoloration and
swelling.
Closed Wounds
 Contusion
– The simplest closed wound,
also called a bruise. When a bump or
blow occurs, it results in damage to soft
tissue layers and vessels, causing internal
bleeding. Blood and other fluids seep into
surrounding tissues, causing discoloration
and swelling.
Signals of Severe Internal
Bleeding:
 Rapid
breathing
 Excessive thirst
 An injured extremity that is blue or
extremely pale
Open Wounds
 Open
wounds - Skin’s surface is broken
and blood may come through
Open Wounds

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Abrasion – Skin that has been rubbed or
scraped away.
Laceration – A cut, which may have either
jagged or smooth edges.
Avulsion – A portion of the skin and sometimes
other soft tissue is partially or completely torn
away.
Amputation – A body part that is severed.
Puncture/Penetration – when the skin is
pierced with a pointed object.
General Care
 Minor
Wounds
 Major Wounds
 Embedded/Impaled Objects
Minor Wounds
 Use
a barrier between you and the victim
 Apply direct pressure for a few minutes to
control bleeding
 Wash the wound thoroughly with soap
and water and gently dry with clean
gauze
 Cover with clean dressing and a
bandage
 Wash hands immediately after
Major Wounds
 Call
911 or emergency local number
 Put on gloves
 Control external bleeding by:
o
o
o
Cover with dressing and press firmly
Apply pressure bandage
If blood soaks through, do not remove the
original bandage, add more
Major Wounds(page 2)
 Monitor
persons condition
 Have person rest comfortably
 Wash your hands
Embedded/Impaled Objects
 Call
911
 Put on disposable gloves
 Do not remove object
 Apply direct pressure to edges of the
wound
 Use a bulky dressing to stabilize the object
 Control bleeding by bandaging the
dressing in place around the object
 Wash hands immediately after
Infection
 Care:
o
o
o
Keep area clean
Soak in clean, warm water
Apply antibiotic ointment
Burns
 1st
Degree
 2nd Degree
 3rd Degree
 Care for burns
 Chemical
 Electrical
1st Degree
Also called a superficial burn.
 Involve only the top layer of skin
 Cause skin to become red and dry; are
usually painful; and the area may swell
 Usually heal within a week
2nd Degree
Also called a partial-thickness burn.
 Involve the top layers of skin
 Cause skin to become red; are usually
painful; have blisters that may open and
weep clear fluid
 Usually heal in 3 to 4 weeks
3rd Degree
Also called a full-thickness burn.
 May destroy all layers of skin and some or
all of the underlying structures.
 The skin may be brown or black (charred),
with the tissue underneath, can either be
extremely painful or painless (If the burn
destroys nerve endings).
 Healing requires medical assistance;
scarring is likely.
Care For Burns
Heat (Thermal)
 Stop the burning by removing the person from
the source of the burn
 Check for life-threatening conditions
 Cool the burn with large amounts of cold
running water
 Cover loosely with a sterile dressing
 Take steps to minimize shock
 Comfort and reassure the person
Care For Burns
Chemical
 Remove the chemical from the skin, be
careful not to get the chemical on
yourself
 Flush the burn with large amounts of cool
running water. Continue for 20 minutes.
 Take steps to minimize shock
Care For Burns
Electrical
 Check the scene
 If possible, turn off the power at its source
and care for any life threatening
emergencies
 Call 911
 Care for shock and thermal burns
 Look for entry and exit wounds
 Check for additional injuries