Ministry of Health

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 Published: 28/11/2011

External Trauma

Make sure you have seen the entire patient.

External injuries are rarely life-threatening, however active bleeding should be stopped.

In penetrating injury the most obvious injury may well not be the most important injury.
Multiple injuries are common.

In blunt injury external signs often provides clues to other more serious but less obvious injuries. Clinical rib fractures and the seat-belt sign are good examples.

Last updated on 28/11/2011