First aid tip of the week

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 07:03

Hi All, thought I would start a weekly first aid thread. So thought I would start with something simple. NOSE BLEED (epistaxis)

1. Sit casualty down with head forward, DO NOT tip head back as blood may run down patients throat and induce vomiting.

2. Pinch (not punch) nose just below the bridge

3. After 10mins release pressure, if still bleeding re-apply for further periods of 10 mins.

4. If bleeding lasts longer than 30mins take patient to nearest A & E department.



Tip of the day: NO MATTER HOW BAD THE NOSE BLEED NEVER BE TEMPTED TO TIE A TOURNIQUET ROUND THE PATIENTS NECK!!!!!!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 07:08

Suggestions please for next weeks topic.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 07:36

Catching your mickey in your zip



1. dont have zips have buttons



2. if its to late close your eyes, unzip fast gritting your teeth first

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 07:46

Catalkoy kid re.2

seriously worst thing you could do unzip fast you need to take the zip apart.

But if it happens let me know as I am a dab hand at bandaging!!!!!!!!!!!

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 07:59

ill keep that in mind lol

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 08:05

I would have to point out from personal experience that one thing you definately do not do in this situation is to run back into the crowded bar with the injured part in your hands screaming "somebody help me".

People will not understand, no matter how drunk you are !!!



It will however get you remembered and if you are really lucky as I was, you will have your photo placed on the wall at the front entrance, just next to where the dorrman stands !!!

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 08:28

For the first time on this board you have all made me fall off the chair laughing my socks off.Great start to another lovely day.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 09:12

hi nurse great idea we could all do with first aid training. You lot crack me up lauging xxxxx

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:04

Hi Lilli,

Will pop in and see you in the next couple of days, if enough people interested might think of doing a basic first aid course down at yours on one of your quiet days.

What do you think?

Chris

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:14

Hi Chris thats a great idea. Look forward to meeting you. I think people would be interested as we all need to have some skill just in case. When I was flying we had to take St Johns training every year but I have forgotton a lot of it.Chris we are closed tuesdays. Take care xxxxxx

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:15

Hi Chris

MY HANDS UP for the one to give the kiss of life (only men that is)

Sheila

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:18

I think all of us would be queing up behind you. Mind depends on the men xxxxxxxxHow are you my love

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:26

I'm fine Liz and your right depends on the man, eyes closed and think of Tom Jones (hard I know) LOL

Sheila xxx

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:35

I get nose bleeds all the time especially after a flight, the last time, we had just arrived in NC and gone to Haci Ali's for something to eat, no sooner had the meal arrived and my nose bleed started, and a heavy one too, my family are used to them, the staff of Haci's however were not and wanted to phone an ambulance! They must have thought 'why is no one paying attention to this woman bleeding to death at our table'. Lol

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:45

britvic

Sorry to hear you have frequent nose bleeds do you know that something can be done about this. Make an appointment with an Ear Nose & Throat department in the UK and they can arrange to have your nose cauterised which basically means they put a heated instrument into your nostril and burn the tissue or blood vessel that is causing your nosebleeds. Not as barbaric or painful as it sounds and only takes a few mins. Done as an out-patient in fact you GP may be able to do this for you.

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 11:21

Hi Christina, I did go to my GP and he didn't seem too bothered and told me there is nothing to worry about, and to do just what you have said in message 1. Maybe it is only because it happens after a flight?



Vicki

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 21:31

I am first of all a nurse and secondly until fairly recently suffered from nose bleeds that became life threatening. In the UK ENT specialist will not cauterise unless you are having a bleed they cannot cauterise unless they can see where to cauterise

Britvic as you will know most (not all) nose bleeds look much worse than they are.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 21:45

Sometimes its a release, when my son used to have them as a young boy the Doctor used to say its ok it will release the tension and stop him getting headaches

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 21:45

Ged, I am sorry hear about your nose bleed becoming life threatening, now that is worrying, I wouldn't want that to happen in NC, as a friend of mine had an accident over their and when her nose bled they promptly held her head back!

Yes your right about them looking far worse than they are, and I think it's because the blood is so vivid from the nose, this is why I got the reaction I did from the staff at the resturaunt.



Vicki

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 22:14

Another tip for nose bleeds, as well as the good advice Nursealful gives, is to suck on an ice cube.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 23:01

Re message 17

Hi Ged didn't know you were a nurse as well.

They say that you learn something new every day I have never in all my years as a registered nurse had someone describe a nose bleed (epistaxis) as life threatening!!! Yes it can lead to anaemia

Your second point being that they will not cautheterise unless they witness where the bleeding is from how many nose bleeds do you think the NHS actually witness and act promptly on???? From a personal point of view my sister and sister - in law both had this done and guess what the consultant in both cases did not witness the epistaxis!!!

I bow to your superior knowledge

Chris. BSc N . Dip Counselling. Dip. Sexual Health

P.S. I can only speak for the NHS trust I worked for in Scotland and I am not trying to be superior to any other nurse that posts on this forum. I am always open to discussion and if somebody's theory is more up to date than mine well I welcome their input!

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 00:38

Excuse me!! Over about three years I had nose bleeds that bled for hours and hours often requiring surgery to stop the bleeding. If you bleed for hours and hours from anywhere the condition will become life threatening I also worked in Scotland, Aberdeen latterly and since spending over three years in and out of the ent ward as a patient I have first hand knowledge from both sides maybe your relatives still had a small area in their noses where the bleeding point could be seen. Several times I had to be given four or more units of blood although the usual for me was three this led to me believe it or not having my nasal passages sewn up in such away it has now stopped bleeding ( I hope to have it reversed at some point)



By the way Ged is not a nurse its me Catherine that is the nurse with 30 plus years experience and a few letters after my name (. We share the forum name )

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 00:52

....................So are my nose bleeds life threatening or not? They usually last for an hour then stop, and I am not anaemic, to the passer by though they would look like life threatening!



Vicki



Hi Catherine, sorry I called you Ged.

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 00:55

Hi Britvic, hope I 've not scared you the nose bleeds I had were unusual in that they were very difficult to stop

no more bleeding now thankfully.

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 01:08

Hi again our postings were at the same time in answer to your question if your nose bleed stops after an hour no they are not life threatening if however it didnt stop the hospital advised me to give it a further 20 minutes if it slows and looks as though it is going to stop that would also be fine after this and no sign of it stopping seek medical help. if they are becoming more frequenti ts best to have your blood checked especially after a bleed (leave it for a couple of days as the result will be more accurate)





No worries about Ged or I being called the others name we've both been called a lot worse

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 22:09

As in the original posting seek help if the bleeding doesn't stop after 30 mins. A & E should be able to pack your nose and stop the bleed. DON'T WAIT 1 HOUR BEFORE YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE!

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 22:32

msg 26 Ever so sorry msg 25 was meant for Britvic

If your nose normally stops after an hour then you'll know better than most whether bleeding is going to stop if however it was in any way different heavier for instance 20-30 minutes is as long as you should leave it before seeking medical help.

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 22:59

Vicki, Not surprised that you get nose bleeds after a fight, maybe you should calm down a little.

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 00:49

Think it might be blood pressure Vicky, caused maybe by your builder/estate agent....