Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Initial stabilization
Airway compromise from facial bleeding or decreased consciousness
If GCS < 13, resuscitation bay
If vomiting or aspiration risk, airway protection strategy
Breathing and oxygenation
SpO2 target 94-98%
If hypoventilation or apnea, bag-mask ventilation
Circulation and hemorrhage control
Direct pressure with bulky dressing
If persistent bleeding, hemostatic clamp to focal vessel
If brisk arterial bleeding, running locked hemostatic suture or vessel ligation
If large blood loss concern, two large-bore IVs
Neurologic risk stratification
GCS
Seizure activity
Focal neurologic deficit
Signs of basilar skull fracture
Temperature and exposure
Full head and neck exposure
Warm blankets if pediatric or hypothermia risk
Red flags and escalation triggers
High-risk trauma features
Altered mental status or amnesia
If worsening mental status, immediate CT head
Repeated vomiting
If persistent vomiting, CT head pathway
Anticoagulation or bleeding diathesis
If warfarin or DOAC use, lower threshold CT head and observation
Suspected open skull fracture
If visible bone or deep wound with bony step-off, urgent neurosurgery and IV antibiotics
C-spine risk
If midline tenderness or neurologic symptoms, immobilization and imaging pathway
Hemorrhage and pain control
Early control plan
Local anesthesia with epinephrine for hemostasis if no contraindication
Lidocaine 1% with epinephrine 1:100,000
Maximum lidocaine dose 7 mg/kg
If large area, consider buffered solution to reduce pain
Systemic analgesia options
Acetaminophen 1,000 mg PO once
Ibuprofen 400 mg PO once if no bleeding risk
If severe pain, fentanyl 25-50 micrograms IV, titrate every 5 minutes to effect
Documentation anchors
Key data for safety
Time of injury
Last normal neurologic status
Mechanism and energy
Loss of consciousness
Anticoagulant or antiplatelet use
Tetanus immunization status
Wound length and depth
Galea involvement
Hemostasis method used
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.