Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Stabilization and escalation
Airway compromise
If stridor or inability to protect airway, airway team activation
If facial bite with expanding hematoma, early airway planning
Breathing compromise
If hypoxemia or respiratory distress, resuscitation bay
If aspiration risk from intoxication, continuous monitoring
Circulation compromise
If hypotension or septic shock physiology, sepsis pathway
If uncontrolled hemorrhage, hemostasis and urgent surgical consultation
Sepsis trigger set
Fever or hypothermia
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Altered mental status
Analgesia plan
Local anesthesia option
Regional block option for hand injuries
Non-opioid first line when feasible
High-risk injury patterns
Clenched fist injury over MCP
Dorsal MCP laceration after punching teeth
High risk extensor tendon and joint capsule violation
Rapid progression to septic arthritis and tenosynovitis
Hand bites
High infection risk
Deep space involvement risk
Function-threatening complications
Face bites
Cosmetic and functional structure involvement
Consider early specialty consultation
Genital bites
High contamination risk
Urology or gynecology consultation threshold low
Key decision points
Wound risk stratification
Time from injury
More than 12 hours since injury
More than 24 hours since injury
Depth and structure involvement
Tendon sheath concern
Joint involvement concern
Bone exposure concern
Contamination and devitalized tissue
Crush component
Necrotic edges
Host risk
Diabetes
Immunosuppression
Asplenia
Peripheral vascular disease
Consultation triggers
Hand surgery or plastics
Clenched fist injury pattern
Any tendon dysfunction
Any joint penetration concern
Deep space infection concern
Neurovascular compromise
Infectious diseases
Concern for HIV nPEP indication
Hepatitis B prophylaxis decision support
Severe infection with resistant pathogen risk
Social work and safeguarding
Assault and safety concerns
Intimate partner violence concern
Child protection involvement concern
Wound care essentials
Bedside wound management bundle
Copious irrigation
High volume saline irrigation
Avoid high-pressure injection into closed spaces
Exploration
Full depth visualization when feasible
Tendon and joint capsule evaluation for hand injuries
Debridement
Devitalized tissue removal
Foreign material removal
Hemostasis and dressing
Non-adherent dressing
Bulky dressing for hand
Splinting for hand bites
Position of function
Elevation plan
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.