Trauma History and Physical - PageOut

• CT scans: HCAP = head, chest, abdomen, pelvis• X-ray areas of tenderness, swelling, lacerations, one joint above and below long bone inquestion• Impression: your diagnosis (ex: 1. assault, 2. fractured femur, 3. GSW)• Plan: what you will do to address the diagnoses.Special Note:The purpose of this rotation is for you to have exposure to procedures and suturing and to beginlearning to identify life-threatening injuries by taking a good history and physical. The trauma H &P differs from that of other medical specialties, in that you are attempting to identify ACUTEinjuries. Chronic diseases and disorders must be considered, but the acute life threatening issuesare paramount.It is also important to have fun during this rotation. Make the most out of this time, because veryfew medical students have access to such an environment. Some of you may think that onlythose interested in surgery should be on this rotation, but all of us will be faced with traumapatients during our years in practice. It is probably even more important for those of you who arenot going into surgery because you may never have this exposure again in your training.Make sure that if you are not comfortable with a procedure or even taking an H & P, that you askone of the residents to help you. We are all happy to help and to teach, but be patient becausethe trauma center is very busy.I hope that this guide helps you get your feet on the ground and that you enjoy the TraumaSurgery Rotation!!!~Benjamin T. Rush, General Surgery