Term
CERT medical operations can play a vital role in limiting deaths from trauma. What are the phases of death from trauma?
(CERT Manual Page 3-1) |
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Definition
The phases of death from trauma are:
Phase 1: Death within minutes as a result of overwhelming and irreversible damage to vital organs
Phase 2: Death within several hours as a result of excessive bleeding
Phase 3: Death in several days or weeks as a result of infection or multiple organ failure (i.e., complications from an injury) |
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Term
In a disaster there may be more victims than rescuers, and assistance from medical professionals may not be immediately available. CERT personnel are trained to be part of disaster medical operations and to provide:
(CERT Manual Page 3-1) |
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Definition
| Treatment for life-threatening conditions - airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock - and for other, less urgent conditions - the greatest good for the greatest number of people by conducting Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment (START) |
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Term
Direct pressure
(CERT Manual Page 3-10) |
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Definition
| Place direct pressure over the wound by putting a clean dressing over the wound and pressing firmly. Maintain pressure on the dressing over the wound by wrapping firmly with a pressure bandage and tying with a bow. |
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Term
Elevation method
(CERT Manual Page 3-10) |
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Definition
| Elevate the wound above the level of the heart |
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Term
Pressure points
(CERT Manual Page 3-0) |
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Definition
Put pressure on the nearest pressure point to slow the flow of blood to the wound. Use the:
brachial point for bleeding in the arm
femoral point for bleeding in the leg
popliteal point for bleeding in the lower leg.
The correct pressure point is between the wound and the heart. |
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Term
Why tie a pressure bandage with a bow?
(CERT Manual Page 3-11) |
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Definition
A pressure bandage should be tied with a bow, so that it can be loosened — rather than cut — to examine the wound, and then retied. This procedure helps to conserve supplies and saves time. The bandage maintains the direct pressure needed to stop the bleeding.
CERT members continue to assess the victim’s status. If the victim’s limb is turning blue or becoming numb below the bandage, then it should be loosened. |
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Term
What are the signs of shock?
(CERT Manual Page 3-15) |
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Definition
The main signs of shock that CERT members should look for are:
Rapid and shallow breathing
Capillary refill of greater than 2 seconds
Failure to follow simple commands, such as "Squeeze my hand" |
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Term
What is shock?
(CERT Manual Page 3-15) |
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Definition
Shock is a condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. When blood doesn't circulate, oxygen and other nutrients are not carried to tissues and organs. Blood vessels begin to close and organs are damaged and, if left untreated, will shut down completely. Shock can worsen very rapidly.
Remaining in shock will lead to the death of: - Cells - Tissues - Entire organs |
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Term
What is considered normal respiration?
(CERT Manual Page 3-15) |
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Definition
| Note if the victim’s breathing is rapid and shallow, i.e., more than 30 breaths per minute. |
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Term
If a person is in shock and is thirsty, should you give them something to drink? Why or why not?
(CERT Manual Page 3-16) |
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Definition
| Although victims who are suffering from shock may be thirsty, they should not eat or drink anything initially because they may also be nauseated. |
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Term
How can you evaluate mental status?
(CERT Manual Page 3-16) |
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Definition
There are several ways to evaluate mental status.
Ask, "Are you okay?"
Give a simple command such as "Squeeze my hand."
If you are concerned that there might be a language barrier or hearing impairment, reach out with both hands and squeeze one of the victim's hands. The person will squeeze back if they can. |
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Term
What is capillary refill?
(CERT Manual Page 3-16) |
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Definition
One way to test for circulation is the blanch test. A good place to do the blanch test is the palm of one hand. Sometimes, a nail bed is used.
The blanch test is used to test capillary refill. You should see the color return to the tested area within 2 seconds. |
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Term
What are the procedures for controlling shock?
(CERT Manual Page 3-17) |
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Definition
1 - Maintain an open airway.
2 - Control obvious bleeding.
3 - Maintain body temperature (e.g., cover the ground and the victim with a blanket if necessary).
Notes - Avoid rough or excessive handling.
Do not provide food or drink. |
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Term
Triage is the French term meaning?
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
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Term
What is triage?
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
In mass casualty events, medical personnel:
Identify the dead and those who are too severely injured to be saved
Send those with relatively minor injuries and wounds to a holding area to await treatment
Identify those who would die from life-threatening injuries and treat them immediately
The term for this is triage |
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Term
If after two attempts, patient is unable to maintain an open airway, what should you do?
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Tag them as "Black" and move to the next victim. |
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Term
Triage: Dead (DEAD)
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Dead (DEAD) : No respiration after two attempts to open the airway. Because CPR is one-on-one care and is labor intensive, CPR is not performed when there are many more victims than rescuers. These victims are marked with a black tag or labeled "DEAD" |
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Term
Triage: Delayed (D)
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Delayed (D): Injuries do not jeopardize the victim's life. The victim may require professional care, but treatment can be delayed. These victims are marked with a yellow tag or labeled "D" |
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Term
Triage: Immediate (I)
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Immediate (I): The victim has life-threatening injuries (airway, bleeding, or shock) that demand immediate attention to save his or her life; rapid, lifesaving treatment is urgent. These victims are marked with a red tag or labeled "I" |
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Term
Triage: Minor (M)
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Minor (M) : Walking wounded and generally ambulatory. These victims are marked with a green tag or labeled "M" |
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Term
What does START stand for?
(CERT Manual Page 3-2) |
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Definition
| Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment |
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Term
Is it required to change gloves after examining every victim?
(CERT Manual Page 3-20) |
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Definition
| Rescuer safety is crucial during triage. Rescuers must wear all safety equipment, including non-latex exam gloves, goggles, a helmet, and an N95 mask when examining victims and should try to change gloves between victims. Because of limited supplies, it may not be possible to use a new pair of gloves for every victim. If this is the case, gloves may be sterilized between treating victims using 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. |
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Term
How do you conduct voice triage?
(CERT Manual Page 3-21) |
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Definition
Begin by calling out, “Community Emergency Response Team. If you can walk, come to the sound of my voice.” Speak loudly and firmly.
If there are survivors who are ambulatory, tag them M and direct them to a designated location. |
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Term
What are some triage pitfalls?
(CERT Manual Page 3-24) |
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Definition
Triage must be practiced to avoid triage pitfalls. Triage pitfalls include:
No team plan, organization, or goal
Indecisive leadership
Too much focus on one injury
Treatment (rather than triage) performed |
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Term
What are the three killers?
(CERT Manual Page 3-4) |
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Definition
In emergency medicine, airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock are "killers" because without treatment they will lead to death.
The first priority of medical operations is to attend to those potential killers by:
Opening the airway
Controlling excessive bleeding
Treating for shock |
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Term
You come upon an unconscious victim who is not breathing, what should you do?
(CERT Manual Page 3-6) |
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Definition
In an unconscious or semiconscious victim, especially one positioned on his or her back, the most common airway obstruction is the tongue. The tongue — which is a muscle — may relax and block the airway.
A victim with a suspected airway obstruction must be checked immediately for breathing and, if necessary, the airway must be opened. |
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Term
Arterial bleeding
(CERT Manual Page 3-9) |
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Definition
| Arteries transport blood under high pressure. Blood coming from an artery will spurt. |
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Term
Capillary bleeding
(CERT Manual Page 3-19) |
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Definition
| Capillaries carry blood under low pressure. Blood coming from capillaries will ooze. |
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Term
Venous bleeding
(CERT Manual Page 3-9) |
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Definition
| Veins transport blood under low pressure. Blood coming from a vein will flow. |
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Term
What are the three methods of controlling bleeding?
(CERT Manual Page 3-9) |
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Definition
Direct Pressure
Elevation
Pressure Points
Direct pressure and elevation will control bleeding in 95% of cases. |
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