Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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This discussion focuses on the several pressure-related syndromes that are peculiar to diving and that are collectively known as dysbarism. These include barotrauma of descent, barotrauma of ascent, and air embolism. Also considered are nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness.
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Millions of arthropods surround us every day, but only a few are medically harmful. Knowledge of the habits and habitats of known venomous arthropods is certainly advisable for the prudent person in areas of known infestation as a preventive measure. Arthropod envenomations probably produce much less mortality than previously thought, but the potential for severe effects of direct envenomation or allergic response exists with some species, and these events must be approached as true medical emergencies.
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Both traumatic injury and the damage inflicted by envenomating marine animals are considered in this article. Among the creatures causing traumatic injury are sharks, barracudas, moray eels, and needlefish. Envenomating animals include sponges, coelenterates, coral, various mollusks, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, stingrays, sea snakes, and others.
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Of the three phases of disaster response, the primary phase (immediate postincident to six hours thereafter) represents the core of the EMS-augmented response to save lives. Activities during this phase include triage, victim control and stabilization, communications, and transportation. To cope successfully with the mass casualties of an actual disaster, special emergency forces must be trained (and rehearsed) to act together as a team to treat the critically ill and injured.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 1984
ReviewExamination and assessment of injuries and problems affecting the elbow, wrist, and hand.
In summary, injuries to the elbow, wrist, and hand are common complaints in emergency department practice. A systematic, thorough examination should be carried out meticulously on each injured patient. Routine radiographs should be taken and any additional views that are needed should be ordered. Most of the commonly missed injuries are due to an inadequate physical examination and inadequate x-ray films of the injured part.