Trauma, Poisoning & Environmental Emergencies - Concept Map
Emergency Management of Trauma, Poisoning, and Environmental Injuries
Related concepts
Multiple Trauma Management
Sub concepts
- Primary Survey (ABCDE)
- Airway with C-spine Control
- Breathing and Chest Injuries
- Circulation and Hemorrhage Control
- Disability Assessment
- Exposure and Hypothermia Prevention
- Secondary Survey
- Trauma Lethal Triad
Relationship to central
Core emergency condition requiring immediate ABCDE assessment and prioritized intervention
Burn Management
Sub concepts
- Burn Depth Classification
- Rule of Nines
- Airway and Inhalation Injury
- Parkland Formula Calculation
- Fluid Resuscitation
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Wound Coverage and Care
Relationship to central
Environmental thermal injury requiring rapid assessment and fluid resuscitation
Poisoning and Overdose
Sub concepts
- Decontamination Methods
- Activated Charcoal Use
- Specific Antidotes
- Poison-Antidote Pairings
- Enhanced Elimination
Relationship to central
Toxic exposure requiring decontamination, specific antidote, and supportive care
Bites and Stings
Sub concepts
- Snakebite Management
- Insect Sting Response
- Animal and Human Bites
- Anaphylaxis Recognition
Relationship to central
Localized or systemic toxic injuries requiring wound care and antivenom/antitoxin
Heat-Related Illness
Sub concepts
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
- Aggressive Cooling Methods
- Temperature Monitoring
Relationship to central
Environmental thermal emergencies differentiated by mental status and requiring temperature-specific cooling
Hypothermia
Sub concepts
- Core Temperature Assessment
- Passive External Rewarming
- Active External Rewarming
- Active Internal Rewarming
- Prolonged Resuscitation Principle
Relationship to central
Environmental cold exposure requiring gentle handling and staged rewarming
Near-Drowning (Submersion Injury)
Sub concepts
- Hypoxia Management
- Rescue Breathing and CPR
- Wet Clothing Removal
- Secondary Drowning Prevention
Relationship to central
Water-related respiratory emergency requiring immediate airway/ventilation and observation for delayed complications
Concept connections
- Primary Survey ABCDEMultiple Trauma ManagementABCDE is the foundational framework for all trauma assessment and guides immediate life-saving interventions
- Hemorrhage ControlCirculation and Fluid ResuscitationHemorrhage is the leading preventable trauma death; control comes first through direct pressure and tourniquets, then fluid resuscitation follows
- Trauma Lethal TriadHypothermia PreventionHypothermia is one-third of the lethal triad; preventing heat loss during trauma resuscitation is critical to breaking the self-reinforcing cycle
- Burn AssessmentRule of NinesRule of Nines is the method used to calculate %TBSA, which determines fluid resuscitation volume using the Parkland formula
- Parkland FormulaUrine Output TitrationParkland formula provides initial calculation, but urine output (0.5 mL/kg/hr adults) is the titration endpoint that guides ongoing fluid adjustment
- Inhalation InjuryEarly IntubationSigns of inhalation injury (facial burns, singed nasal hair, soot) mandate early intubation before airway edema causes obstruction
- Carbon Monoxide PoisoningHigh-Flow OxygenEnclosed-space fires create CO risk; standard pulse oximetry is falsely normal in CO poisoning, so 100% oxygen is given empirically
- Supportive Care FirstSpecific AntidotesIn poisoning, ABCDE stabilization takes priority; specific antidotes are given only after the airway and circulation are secure
- Activated CharcoalDecontamination TimingActivated charcoal is most effective within 1 hour of ingestion; timing determines its efficacy
- Opioid PoisoningNaloxone AdministrationNaloxone reverses opioid respiratory depression but has a shorter half-life than many opioids, requiring repeat dosing
- Heat ExhaustionIntact Mental StatusIntact mental status is the KEY distinguishing feature that separates heat exhaustion from heat stroke
- Heat StrokeAggressive CoolingHeat stroke with altered mental status and core temp >40°C is a medical emergency requiring immediate aggressive cooling; time at high temperature determines survival
- AntipyreticsHeat Stroke TreatmentAntipyretics do not work in heat stroke because the problem is environmental heat load, not a raised hypothalamic set point
- Gentle HandlingHypothermia ManagementThe cold heart is irritable; rough movement can trigger ventricular fibrillation, so gentle handling is essential
- Prolonged ResuscitationSevere HypothermiaThe maxim 'not dead until warm and dead' applies to severe hypothermia; cold-protected patients have recovered after prolonged cardiac arrest
- Submersion InjuryHypoxia PriorityHypoxia is the primary killer in submersion; airway and ventilation interventions take absolute priority
- Secondary DrowningPost-Submersion ObservationDelayed pulmonary edema (secondary drowning) can develop hours after apparent recovery; all submersion victims require prolonged observation
- Snakebite ImmobilizationVenom Spread PreventionKeeping the limb immobilized at or below heart level and the patient calm slows venom absorption and spread to vital organs
- Antivenom AdministrationEnvenomation SignsAntivenom is given when clinical signs of envenomation appear (swelling, coagulopathy, neurotoxicity, systemic symptoms)
- Tourniquet Use in SnakebiteArterial Tourniquet ContraindicationA proximal venous tourniquet may be used in some protocols, but an arterial tourniquet causes necrosis and is contraindicated
- Insect Sting ResponseAnaphylaxis RiskInsect stings can trigger systemic anaphylaxis, requiring immediate IM epinephrine
- Animal Bite ManagementRabies ProphylaxisMammal bites carry rabies risk; post-exposure prophylaxis decision depends on animal species and exposure circumstances
- Tetanus StatusBite and Trauma WoundsAll trauma and wound injuries require tetanus prophylaxis update based on immune status and wound type
- Continuous ReassessmentTrauma DecompensationStable trauma patients can deteriorate suddenly from occult internal bleeding; frequent reassessment catches deterioration early
- Secondary SurveyMechanism of InjuryThe secondary survey is guided by the mechanism of injury to identify patterns of injury and detect occult wounds
- Wet Clothing RemovalSubmersion HypothermiaWet clothing accelerates heat loss in submersion victims; removal is part of hypothermia management
Diagrams
Trauma, Poisoning & Environmental Emergencies - Complete Concept Map
Complete hierarchical mind map showing the central concept of emergency management in trauma, poisoning, and environmental emergencies, with seven major branches representing each major condition type and their key components, assessment criteria, and interventions.
Trauma Primary Survey (ABCDE) and Hemorrhage Control
Step-by-step flowchart of the trauma primary survey following the ABCDE protocol, showing decision points for identifying life threats and immediate interventions, with emphasis on hemorrhage control and prevention of the lethal triad.
Burn Assessment and Fluid Resuscitation Decision Tree
Comprehensive flowchart for burn patient assessment and management, showing depth and extent classification using Rule of Nines, Parkland formula calculation with titration parameters, and decision points for airway management and carbon monoxide exposure.
Poisoning Management: Toxin-Antidote Matching
Flowchart showing the management pathway for poisoned patients, including identification of specific toxins, matching with appropriate antidotes, contraindications and considerations for each antidote, and decontamination methods with their indications and contraindications.
Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke: Differentiation and Management
Clinical decision tree distinguishing heat exhaustion from heat stroke based on core temperature and mental status, showing the dramatically different management urgencies and specific cooling interventions required for heat stroke as a medical emergency.
Hypothermia: Assessment and Rewarming Strategy
Flowchart demonstrating hypothermia assessment by core temperature severity (mild, moderate, severe) with corresponding rewarming strategies ranging from passive external rewarming to active internal rewarming, highlighting the critical principle of gentle handling and prolonged resuscitation.
Snakebite and Envenomation Management
Flowchart for snakebite management showing immediate field interventions (immobilization, calming the patient, marking swelling progression), decision points for envenomation recognition, antivenom administration, and explicit contraindicated actions (no ice, no cut-and-suck, no arterial tourniquet).
Near-Drowning (Submersion Injury) Emergency Response
Emergency response flowchart for submersion injury showing water rescue and immediate CPR initiation with emphasis on hypoxia management, hypothermia assessment and treatment, and critical observation period for delayed pulmonary edema (secondary drowning).
Trauma Patient Acuity State Transitions
State diagram showing the progression of a trauma patient through assessment and management phases, from initial arrival through primary survey, identification and intervention of life threats, secondary survey, and ongoing reassessment with potential for sudden deterioration requiring return to primary survey interventions.
Burn Classification by Depth and TBSA Considerations
Pie chart showing the distribution of burn depth classifications and their clinical significance, emphasizing that partial-thickness burns are the most common, while full-thickness burns and %TBSA calculation are critical for determining need for fluid resuscitation.
Nursing Interventions and NANDA Diagnoses for Trauma, Poisoning, Environmental Emergencies
Comprehensive mind map connecting emergency nursing priorities with NANDA diagnostic labels for trauma, poisoning, and environmental emergencies, showing specific interventions and assessment parameters for each nursing diagnosis.