signs of shock and broken bones

Recognizing signs of shock

Shock is a state the body can enter into as a response of either serious trauma or intense pain. Shock is a very real and deadly condition, and should not be treated lightly. Shock can often occur as a deadly side effect to an otherwise non-fatal injury, such as a broken leg. Below are the most common symptoms of shock:

Symptoms of shock:

·	Cold sweat

Weakness

·	Irregular breathing (see below)

Chills

·	Pale or blue colored lips

·	Pale or blue colored fingernails

·	A fast, but weak pulse

Nausea

·	Disorientation

Shock is a very serious condition and needs to be addressed immediately. Shock is an actual medical condition, that basically shuts the body’s systems down to deal with extreme pain or trauma. Shock can result in death, whether or not the injury that caused the shock was life threatening. If you suspect your child is going into shock, call 911 immediately. While you are waiting for emergency crews, you should....

·	Get your child to a comfortable spot

·	Keep your child warm by covering with a blanket

·	Do not offer the child food or drink

·	Do your best to relax and calm the child.

Respiratory rate

This is the rate at which a person breathes. It increases with fever, illness, and shock. To count the respiratory rate in your child, remove their shirt, and count the number of times the chest rises in 1 full minute. Or do this for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4 to get a rate per minute.

Normal newborn respiration rate: 40-60 breaths per minute
Normal 1-6 year old respiration rate: 18-26 breaths per minute
7 years to adult respiration rate: 12-24 breaths per minute

Broken bones

Broken bones are all too common in children. Most often, broken bones are not life threatening, though they do require you to seek immediate medical care.

Signs of a broken bone

·	You or the child heard a “snap”, “grinding noise”, or “pop” during the injury

·	There is swelling, bruising, or tenderness

·	The pain is one that feels like “pins and needles”

·	It is painful to move the injured area or bear weight on it.

·	There is a protruding bone or disfigurement in the area (obvious visual signs of damage)

If you suspect a broken bone:

·	Remove clothing from the injured part

·	Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth to the injured area

·	Keep the injured limb in the position you found it.

·	Splint the extremity if possible, by using soft padding near the injured part, and placing something firm like a board or rolled up newspapers to splint it. Keep the splint in place with first aid tape. Do not keep it too tight.

·	Seek medical care immediately