Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Author Question: Treating Injuries Related to Torture 1/2

Taylor Asks:

I have some character injury questions that I could use your help with, if you don’t mind! I contacted you last year with a bunch of questions about car crashes and injuries for another book that I was working on, and you were a tremendous help. I have some questions for this story, and thought I’d reach out to you again.

This story is a political thriller. One of my characters (Erin) is an American government agent who is ambushed and kidnapped by an Iraqi insurgent/terrorist leader while working in Iraq. He took her for two reasons. One is that he wants to use her as leverage/a bargaining chip to get what he wants. The other, more significant, reason is revenge. John (her current partner/coworker) had been a member of the US Army Special Forces. During a mission in the Middle East, he killed a fairly high-ranking terrorist who was responsible for the deaths of several US military members. That happened to be this man’s brother. Now this man has taken Erin, and plans to kill her – he wants John to know the pain of losing a loved one, and plans to make them both pay for John’s “crimes.”

One of her guards helps her escape after three or four days. He can’t deliver her back to the Americans, so he takes her to a local hospital and hands her over to the staff there for medical care. She is then rescued by the military a few days later. 

Iraqi insurgents are well known for their methods of torture and brutality to their captives. Fortunately for Erin, she was spared the worst of it; all things considered, they didn't treat her TOO terribly.

Question #1: She’s hungry and dehydrated (they gave her very little food and water.) Other than IV fluids and adequate food and water after she is rescued, is there anything else that would need to be done?
Jordyn Says: In a time frame of four days, yes, she is likely dehydrated but she shouldn't be terribly malnourished. A couple of liters of fluid (Normal Saline or NS) should get her feeling much better. Than some fluids that have some sugar and electrolytes in it at maintenance until she's eating well and peeing well.  

We'll continue with the remainder of Taylor's questions tomorrow!

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