Medical response in a nuclear or radiological emergency

SHEET ACTION TO TAKE ON THE SITE OF THE EVENT Carrying out the initial first-aid measures 17 • First confirm and characterise any exposure to a source of irradiation: total or partial irradiation of the body. • Then evaluate the severity as quickly as possible: question the victim and gather the investigative elements (circumstances of the event, dosimetric investigation) on the site of the accident. SEE SHEETS 5 11 + 13 to 15 3. Do not forget to perform HLA tissue typing before transfusing if necessary. Evaluate the dose received by the victim in the event of irradiation 5 Action to take in the case of irradiated or contaminated lesions Acute irradiation and/or contamination associated with traumatic injuries (fractures, injuries, wounds, burns) aggravate the prognosis of the lesions. The trauma potentiates the effects of the lesion and vice versa. In practical terms, whole-body irradiation increases the risk of cardiovascular shock, infection and haemorrhage, and slows down the healing of wounds and consolidation of fractures. • Medical care: ‒ control any severe bleeding3 ; ‒ free the airways and ensure correct ventilation; ‒ maintain the circulatory function. • Once the condition of the casualty is stabilised: ‒ apply the decontamination and internal contamination treatment processes; SEE SHEETS 24 to 27 + 34 + 38 to 40 ‒ collect the data for diagnosing external irradiation severity. SEE SHEETS 5 + 13 to 15 If a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is necessary: schedule it for as soon as possible, but after the initial syndrome period. Implement early shock and infection prophylaxis. MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY 57

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