Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
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Acute Extremity Compartment Syndrome is a disorder, which can cause loss of limb if left untreated. Compartment syndrome develops when pressures within the fascial compartments become elevated, resulting in decreased perfusion to muscles and nerves. ⋯ Diligent nursing assessment and monitoring of clinical signs, with communication to the physician, will facilitate rapid treatment by the physician. The primary treatment option is early identification and intervention through performance of a fasciotomy.
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To identify adherence to the standard that trauma patients have body temperature (T) recorded, range-of-temperature measurements, and the incidence of hypothermia recorded; and to examine the relationship between (T) and Injury Severity Score (ISS). ⋯ Based on the data, temperature was recorded in only 40% of the cases sampled. Adherence to the standard of measuring and recording a value was only intermittently followed. Nursing personnel should be educated to appreciate the potential for unsuspected hypothermia and to respond by following the standards of care.
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To review the use of ultrasound for assessment of abdominal trauma during the secondary assessment. Three current methods for evaluation of abdominal trauma will be outlined. The use of ultrasound in evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma will be highlighted, including performance of test, time to test completion, strengths, and limitations. The use of serial examination utilizing focused abdominal sonography for blunt trauma (FAST) to evaluate hemoperitoneum will be presented.