CAUTIONS:
DO NOT probe, clean, or try to remove any foreign object from the
stomach.
DO NOT touch with bare hands any exposed organs.
DO NOT push organs back inside the body.
c. Check Frequently for Signs of Shock. Shock is the body's response to
inadequate circulation due to a variety of causes. Abdominal trauma is one of the
causes. The signs of shock are related to the effects of inadequate circulation. The
symptoms are:
(1)
Skin--pale in color, clammy to the touch.
(2) Blood pressure--progressive, consistent fall in pressure (the earliest
change to signify shock).
(3)
Pulse--rapid (often over 120 beats per minute), thready, or quivery.
(4)
Respirations--rapid and shallow, often grunting as if hungry for air.
(5) Cyanosis--blueness of fingernail beds or lips due to lack of oxygen; use
the inner lip for detection in a dark-skinned person.
(6)
Urine output--scanty or absent because of decreased circulation through
the kidneys.
(7)
Mental state--check by asking the casualty what time or day it is.
(8) Vital signs--take and record vital signs including blood pressure, pulse,
and respirations. Also, ask about and record the presence, location, and severity of
pain.
d. Treat the Casualty for Shock. Inflate the medical anti-shock trousers
(MAST) if shock develops. Monitor the MAST to see if air is evacuating. Initiate IVs (at
the rate necessary to keep the vein open) of colloid (Dextran Plasmanate), if possible.
If colloid is not available, administer an IV using normal saline solution or Ringer's
lactate solution. If shock develops, increase the rate of IV. It is preferred that two IVs
be given simultaneously. Give nothing by mouth, but you may moisten the casualty's
lips.
e. Insert the Foley Catheter. A catheter is inserted into the body to maintain a
continuous free flow of urine. Foley catheters come in a variety of sizes. The size to be
used depends on the physical structure of the patient. The doctor may designate the
size when he writes the order for the catheter to be inserted. The Foley catheter has
MD0581
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