Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
reconize signs of serve bleeding in dark skin
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.The signs and symptoms of shock (check the medical definition) is the same in dark skinned individuals as for light skinned so you'd do well to list them all, especially for an NVQ paper.
Don't forget that the bleeding may be internal, not external, so the abscence of lots of blood does not mean a person isn't bleeding to death. Early signs are restlessness and anxiety; the person may look scared, this is a 'gut' feeling that something is wrong and that they may be dying. Thirst, because the body wants to replace the missing fluid (don't give them anything to drink); nauseated and possibly vomiting. The skin will become cold (as perpheral blood vessels close down to try and divert all available blood to the brain and kidneys), very sweaty and pale. With dark skin you'll see that it loses it's 'richness' or depth of tone and has become a paler version of itself. Specifically check the colour of the inside of the lips and mouth, these are usually a healthy pink colour and will quickly lose that tone. That's usually the one test taught to look for in darker skin. The pulse will be rapid (the heart speeds up to try and get as much blood to the important parts; tachycardia)) but weak (there's less to go round!). Less blood = less oxygen so the breathing rate increases and becomes more rapid (tachypnea). Because the brain begins to suffer the level of consciousness is affected, so there may be confusion, disorientation and finally unconsciousness. Capillary refill will increase; this is when you press the fingernail until the skin underneath turns white, release the pressure and watch it return to a healthy pink colour as blood flows back. This normally takes 1 - 2 seconds, but if there is no blood, it'll take longer than two seconds, which is not a good sign. A person unconscious because of bleeding is heading quickly towards death, this is called exsanguination; level of consciousness is the key sign to look for.
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