After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will understand how to manage trauma-related issues of the head and spine. The student will learn how to recognize life threats associated with these injuries as well as the need for immediate spinal stabilization and, potentially, airway and breathing support. The curriculum includes detailed anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. This chapter provides detail about traumatic brain injury (TBI), including initial mechanism of injury, and primary (direct) versus secondary (indirect) injury. Transport considerations are discussed with a focus on potential deterioration. This chapter is skills intensive with detail on bandaging; traumatic airway control; manual in-line stabilization; placement of a cervical collar; immobilization of the patient lying, sitting, or standing; and helmet removal.

After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will understand how to manage a patient with chest trauma. Students will learn how to recognize life threats associated with these injuries and how to provide immediate intervention. The curriculum includes a detailed description of the anatomy and physiology of the chest and underlying organs as well as the pathophysiology, complications, assessment, and management of chest injury. Age-related issues are discussed specific to pediatric and geriatric chest trauma. This chapter also provides information on incidence (morbidity and mortality) and a detailed discussion of blunt versus penetrating or open trauma. Specific injuries discussed include sucking chest wound, pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, hemothorax, flail chest, and pericardial tamponade.