EMT Basic · Chapter 28 · Review · Chapter track
Face and Neck Injuries
Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care
Learning objectives (13)
Demonstrate the care of a patient who has a penetrating eye injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Describe the anatomy and physiology of the head, face, and neck; include major structures and specific important landmarks of which EMTs must be aware — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Describe the factors that may cause obstruction of the upper airway following a facial injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Discuss the different types of facial injuries and the patient care considerations related to each one — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain emergency medical care of a patient with injuries of the nose — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain emergency medical care of a patient with soft-tissue wounds of the face and neck — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency care of a patient who has sustained face and neck injuries; include assessment of the patient, review of signs and symptoms, and management of care — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency medical care of a patient with an eye injury based on the following scenarios: foreign object, impaled object, burns, lacerations, blunt trauma, closed head i — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1005); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency medical care of a patient with an upper airway injury caused by blunt trauma — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency medical care of a patient with injuries of the ear, including lacerations and foreign body insertions — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency medical care of the patient with a penetrating injury to the neck; include how to control regular and life-threatening bleeding — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the emergency medical care of the patient with dental and cheek injuries; include how to deal with an avulsed tooth — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Explain the physical findings and emergency care of a patient with a facial fracture — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1006); confirm wording in your course copy.
Chapter web resources
Optional reading from authoritative sites. Your textbook remains the primary source for this course.
- MedlinePlus facial injuries · NIH
Face and neck trauma assessment
When sources disagree (5 topics to verify before you teach from this chapter alone)
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Vocabulary · 10
Le Fort fracture
A classification of midface fractures — Le Fort I (transverse maxilla), II (pyramidal), III (craniofacial separation).
SourceAAOS OrthoInfo — Facial fractures
Blowout fracture
A fracture of the orbital floor caused by blunt impact to the eye, which can entrap eye muscles and produce double vision.
SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology — Orbital fracture
Dental avulsion
Complete displacement of a tooth from its socket; intact permanent teeth can be replanted if managed correctly within 30–60 minutes.
SourceAmerican Dental Association — Knocked-out tooth — first aid
Hyphema
Blood pooled in the anterior chamber of the eye, usually after blunt trauma; requires ophthalmologic evaluation.
SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology — Hyphema
Tracheal deviation
Visible shifting of the trachea to one side, a late sign of tension pneumothorax or large neck mass.
SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Tracheal deviation
Battle's sign
Bruising over the mastoid process behind the ear, a late sign of basal skull fracture.
SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Battle's sign
Raccoon eyes
Periorbital ecchymosis (bruising around both eyes), a late sign of basal skull fracture.
SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Raccoon eyes
Mandible fracture
A break in the lower jaw bone; can affect bite alignment and airway when bilateral.
SourceAAOS OrthoInfo — Mandible fracture
Globe rupture
A full-thickness tear of the eyeball wall — a sight-threatening emergency requiring protective shielding, never pressure.
SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology — Globe rupture
Airway compromise (facial trauma)
Obstruction or imminent obstruction from blood, swelling, debris, or anatomic disruption that requires aggressive airway management.
SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Maxillofacial trauma airway
Sequences · 2
- Le Fort fracture levels — Order Le Fort midface fractures from lowest to highest in severity.
- Airway management in severe facial trauma — Order the EMT's airway priorities for a patient with massive facial bleeding.