title: The nose: bleeds, breaks and obstructions.
abstract: Nosebleeds from a break and/or obstructon can result in life-threatening problems. The nose is the airway opening that warms, humidifies and filters air. Control epistaxis with well-aimed direct pressure for 10-15 minutes. Nasal fractures, which are the most common facial fracture, can be the outward sign of skull fracture, brain injury or c-spine impairment, and may pose a threat to the airway and breathing. The greatest concern of a nose obstruction is aspiration.
authors.affiliation: Emergeny Preparedness Systems LLC, USA. gfriese@eps411.com
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: Randal F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wojciehoski
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000628:therapy*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D005791:Patient Care