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Section VII. CONTUSIONS, SPRAINS, STRAINS, AND DISLOCATIONS
1-40. CONTUSIONS
a. A contusion is an injury to the soft tissues caused by a blunt force such as a kick, fall, punch, or other similar impact. There is no associated break in the skin and it appears as an area of ecchymosis (a bruise). The rupture of small blood vessels cause hemorrhage into the injured area and this produces the familiar black-and-blue discoloration. As absorption of the blood takes place, the black-and-blue spot gradually changes color to brown-green, then to yellow, and finally disappears. A hematoma forms when the bleeding into the tissue is more than slight.
b. Nursing management consists of elevating the affected part and applying cold compresses for the first 8-12 hours after the injury. This produces vasoconstriction, which will reduce the hemorrhage and edema. Cold applications should be intermittent and continued for about 15-20 minutes at a time. After the first 8-12
hours, the recovery phase begins and moist heat should be applied. Again, applications should be intermittent and continued for about 20 minutes at a time. The application of heat will promote tissue repair and absorption of the blood.
