Health and First Aid | Bites, Stings, Joint Injuries and Abdominal Pain, Set 4
Problem 1
A pet dog bites a person's hand, leaving a small tooth mark and saliva on the surrounding skin. There is no major bleeding. What is the appropriate response?
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Bites from animal or human teeth can become infected, so even a small wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, including saliva on the surrounding skin. Cover it with clean gauze afterward and obtain medical care. Neither the small size nor the fact that the dog is a pet removes the infection risk, and sealing the wound without washing is inappropriate.
Problem 2
On a mountain path, a person is bitten on the foot by an unidentified snake. There is not yet major swelling, and medical care is some distance away. What is the most appropriate response?
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It is difficult to identify reliably whether a snake is venomous in the moment, and delayed treatment of a venomous bite can lead to severe illness. Keep the person at rest, avoid running or limb exercise, and arrange urgent transport to medical care. Mouth suction is not recommended, and the absence of early swelling does not prove that the bite is safe.
Problem 3
A bee stings a person's arm and leaves its stinger in the skin. Symptoms are limited to pain and swelling at the site, with no breathing difficulty or widespread hives. What is the appropriate way to handle the stinger?
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If a bee stinger remains, remove it from the base with tweezers or brush it off sideways to avoid introducing more venom. Firmly squeezing the sac-like end can push remaining venom into the skin. Apply a cold compress and obtain medical care. If breathing difficulty or systemic symptoms develop, calling 119 takes priority over local treatment.
Problem 4
After a fall, a person's shoulder looks abnormally deformed and is too painful to move. A dislocation is suspected, but there is no open wound or major bleeding. What should a bystander do?
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A joint with a suspected dislocation should be supported and immobilized in the position most comfortable for the person, followed by prompt medical care. Pulling the arm or trying to correct the deformity without medical training can damage nearby blood vessels or nerves. Repeated movement to test the joint may also worsen pain and injury.
Problem 5
A caregiver pulls a three-year-old child's hand sharply to stop a fall. The child is not struck and does not actually fall, but immediately lets the arm hang and refuses to move it because of pain. What is the appropriate response?
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A young child who lets an arm hang and refuses to move it immediately after the hand is pulled may have a pulled elbow. Do not try to correct it at home or repeatedly bend and straighten the joint; obtain prompt medical care. The absence of obvious swelling does not establish that the arm is unharmed, and forceful manipulation can cause further injury.
Problem 6
During a sprint, an athlete feels a sharp pain in the thigh and stops running. There is no obvious deformity, but movement is painful. What is the appropriate initial response when a muscle strain is suspected?
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When a muscle strain is suspected, stop the activity, cool the area and keep it at rest. Severe pain warrants medical care. Forceful massage immediately after injury or another full-speed run to test the leg may extend the damage. The absence of visible deformity is not a reason to continue exercising.
Problem 7
During a tennis match, a player says it felt as if someone kicked the back of the lower leg and can no longer stand on tiptoe. An Achilles tendon rupture is suspected. What is the most appropriate response while arranging transport?
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Sudden posterior lower-leg pain during sport together with inability to stand on tiptoe suggests an Achilles tendon rupture. To avoid worsening the injury, do not allow walking; keep the foot immobilized with the toes pointed and transport the player to medical care. Repeated walking tests or forcing the toes upward to stretch the tendon are inappropriate.
Problem 8
After a fall from height, bone is visible through a bleeding wound in a person's shin. The person is conscious. What is the appropriate response when an open fracture is suspected?
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An open fracture carries risks of bleeding and infection. Call 119, control the bleeding and protect the wound before immobilizing the injured area. Never push exposed bone back into the wound or try to correct the deformity. Avoid pressing forcefully on the exposed bone itself, and hand the person over to emergency personnel with minimal movement of the injury.
Problem 9
A person suddenly develops severe abdominal pain, looks pale, has a cold sweat, abdominal swelling and vomiting, but remains conscious. What is the most appropriate care while waiting for an ambulance?
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Severe abdominal pain accompanied by pallor, cold sweat, abdominal swelling and vomiting may indicate a condition requiring emergency treatment. Call 119, loosen clothing, help the person into the most comfortable position, give no food, drink or laxative, and avoid heating or cooling the abdomen. Waiting after giving a laxative or food may worsen some causes or delay necessary treatment.
Problem 10
About two weeks after a cat scratched a person's arm, the wound has almost closed. However, a painful lump has developed in the armpit on the same side and the person has a persistent fever. What is the appropriate response?
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Painful swelling of nearby lymph nodes and persistent fever can develop days to weeks after a cat scratch or bite. Even when the wound has closed, the exposure history can help the clinician assess the illness, so report the timing and symptom course and obtain medical care. Do not massage the lump forcefully, reopen the wound or decide the cause without medical evaluation.