Revised 08/2025

EMS 185 - Advanced Trauma Care (2 CR.)

Course Description

Examines the assessment and management of trauma emergencies as outlined by the National Emergency Medical Service Education Standards (NEMSES) within the Advanced EMT curriculum. Lecture 2 hours. Total 2 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, and treatments of trauma emergencies.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Current Virginia EMT and CPR certification as approved by the Virginia Office of EMS. Co- requisite: EMS 186: Advanced Trauma Care Laboratory.

Course Objectives

  • Integrate knowledge of causes and pathophysiology, trauma scoring, transport and destination issues, transport mode, and age-related assessment and treatment modifications for pediatric and geriatric patients into the management of traumatic injuries, including:
    • Bleeding and fluid resuscitation
    • Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma:
      • Blunt versus penetrating mechanisms
      • Evisceration
      • Impaled object
      • Solid and hollow organ injuries
      • Injuries to the internal or external genitalia
      • Vascular injury
      • Retroperitoneal injuries
    • Chest Trauma:
      • Blunt vs penetrating mechanisms
      • Open chest wound
      • Impaled object
      • Hemothorax
      • Cardiac tamponade
      • Rib fractures
      • Flail chest
      • Commotio cordis
      • Traumatic aortic disruption
      • Pulmonary contusion
      • Blunt cardiac injury
      • Traumatic asphyxia
    • Head, Facial, Neck, and Spine Trauma:
      • Life threats
      • Spine trauma
      • Penetrating neck trauma
      • Laryngotracheal injuries
      • Shaken Baby Syndrome
      • Facial fractures
      • Skull fractures
      • Foreign body in the eyes
      • Globe rupture
      • Dental trauma
      • Severe epistaxis
    • Nervous System Trauma:
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Spinal Cord Injury
    • Orthopedic Trauma:
      • Open fractures
      • Closed fractures
      • Dislocations
      • Amputations/ replantation
      • Upper and lower extremity orthopedic trauma
      • Sprains/ Strains
      • Pelvic fractures
      • Pediatric fractures
    • Soft Tissue Trauma:
      • Wounds (avulsion, bite, laceration, puncture, incision)
      • Burns (electrical, chemical, thermal, radiation) and inhalation injury
      • Chemicals in the eye and on the skin
      • Crush/ compartment syndrome
      • High-pressure injection injury
    • Multi-System Trauma and Blast Injuries
    • Environmental Emergencies:
      • Drowning
      • Temperature-related illness
      • Bites and envenomations
      • Lightning injury
    • Special Considerations in Trauma:
      • Pregnant patient
      • Pediatric patient
      • Geriatric patient
      • Cognitively impaired patient