Heat Exhaustion Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is a syndrome resulting primarily from dehydration. It is caused by heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid and electrolyte intake during heat exposure over hours to days. Profuse diaphoresis can lead to profound, even fatal, dehydration and hyponatremia caused by excessive sodium lost in perspiration. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is a true medical emergency that has a very high mortality rate.
What can cause heat exhaustion?
It is caused by heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid and electrolyte intake during heat exposure over hours to days. Profuse diaphoresis can lead to profound, even fatal, dehydration and hyponatremia caused by excessive sodium lost in perspiration.
What can happen if untreated?
If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is a true medical emergency that has a very high mortality rate.
What are some signs and symptoms?
Patients with heat exhaustion usually have flulike symptoms with headache, weakness, nausea, and/or vomiting. Body temperature may not be significantly elevated in this condition. The patient may continue to perspire despite dehydration.
What should patients experiencing heat exhaustion be assessed for?
Patients should be assessed for orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia, especially the older adult who can dehydrate quickly. Older adults with dehydration often experience acute confusion and are at risk for falls.
If a patient is experiencing heat exhaustion outside of a clinical setting, what should the patient or the people with the patient be instructed to do?
Instruct the patient to immediately stop physical activity and move to a cool place. Use cooling measures such as placing cold packs on the neck, chest, abdomen, and groin. Soak the individual in cool water or fan while spraying water on the skin. Remove constrictive clothing. Sports drinks or an oral rehydration-therapy solution can be provided. Mistakenly drinking plain water can worsen the sodium deficit. Do not give salt tablets, which can cause stomach irritation, nausea, and vomiting. If signs and symptoms persist, call an ambulance to transport the patient to the hospital.
What should the nurse do to help a patient experiencing heat exhaustion in a clinical setting?
In the clinical setting, monitor vital signs. Rehydrate the patient with intravenous solution as prescribed if nausea or vomiting persists. Draw blood for serum electrolyte analysis. Hospital admission is indicated only for patients who have other health problems that are worsened by the heat-related illness or for those with severe dehydration and evidence of physiologic compromise.
