An Overview of Strangulation Injuries and Nursing Implications Topic Brief-An Overview of Strangulation Injuries and Nursing Implications Topic Brief

Pdf Summary

This topic brief provides an overview of strangulation injuries and their nursing implications. Strangulation injuries can be challenging for emergency nurses to detect because the physical signs and symptoms are not always obvious. The incidence of strangulation, particularly hangings, has increased worldwide. The primary mechanisms of strangulation are hanging, ligature strangulation, and manual strangulation. Strangulation can lead to lack of oxygen to the body, and can cause unconsciousness, brain damage, and even death. Short and long-term health sequelae of strangulation include respiratory distress syndrome, thyroid storm, dissection or cerebral infarction, memory loss, voice changes, and mental health issues. The topic brief also discusses the choking game, a dangerous activity in which individuals intentionally restrict oxygen to the brain for a temporary euphoric feeling. Sexual asphyxia, consensual or otherwise, is also mentioned. The brief highlights the link between strangulation and intimate partner violence (IPV), with non-fatal strangulation being a predictive risk factor for subsequent severe violence. Emergency nurses play an important role in identifying and caring for victims of strangulation, including conducting thorough assessments, providing appropriate referral resources, preserving forensic evidence, and advocating for the patient's safety. The brief concludes by emphasizing the importance of education, awareness, and routine screening for IPV in order to prevent strangulation injuries.

Meta Tag

strangulation abuse

strangulation IPV

strangulation intimate partner violence

strangulation domestic violence

strangulation trauma

strangulation death

strangulation forensic

strangulation hanging

strangulation choking

strangulation asphyxia

strangulation FNE

strangulation forensic nurse examiner

strangulation SANE

Keywords

strangulation injuries

nursing implications

emergency nurses

physical signs and symptoms

hangings

ligature strangulation

manual strangulation

lack of oxygen

unconsciousness