Chapter 24 - Enviromental Emergencies Flashcards Preview

EMT - Basic - Prehostpital Emergency Care 10th Edition > Chapter 24 - Enviromental Emergencies > Flashcards

Flashcards in Chapter 24 - Enviromental Emergencies Deck (46)
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1
Q

body temp is monitored and controlled primarily by the ___ in the brain

A

hypothalamus

2
Q

a sensory receptor that is stimulated by temp

A

thermoreceptor

3
Q

the transfer of heat and cold

A

thermal gradient

4
Q

when hair on the skins surface erects

A

piloerection

5
Q

there are three organ systems primarily responsible for cooling the body and reducing the body core temp:

A

the skin
cardiovascular system
resp. system

6
Q

when the body loses more heat than it gains or produces, the result is called ______.

A

hypothermia

7
Q

heat loss occurs through five mechanisms:

A
radiation
convection
conduction
evaporation
respiration
8
Q

transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without physical contact between the objects

A

radiation

9
Q

loss of body heat to the atmosphere when air passes over the body.

A

convection

10
Q

transfer of heat through direct physical touch with nearby objects

A

conduction

11
Q

conversion of a liquid or solid into a gas; is a means by which the body is cooled

A

evaporation

12
Q

the exchange of gases between an organism and its environment; the exchange of oxygen and CO2 that takes place during inhalation and exhalation

A

respiration

13
Q

the increase in rate of cooling in the presence of water or by wet clothing

A

wind chill

14
Q

when the amount of heat the body produces or gains exceeds the amount the body loses through the processes just described, the result is called ______.

A

hyperthermia

15
Q

an overall reduction in body temperature, affecting the entire body; also called hypothermia AKA_____.

A

generalized cold emergency

generalized hypothermia

16
Q

coma occurs when the bodys core temp reaches approximately ____degrees F

A

79

17
Q

risk factors for generalized hypothermia include:

A
ambient temp., wind chill, and moisture
age
medical conditions
alcohol, drugs, and poisons
duration of exposure
clothing
activity level
18
Q

occurs as a result of the lowering of the body temp from immersion in cool or cold water

A

immersion hypothermia

19
Q

hypothermia precipitated by cold environments such as with persons who live on the streets in cold weather or whose indoor environment is too cool.

A

urban hypothermia

20
Q

external urban hypothermia

A

pt who do not have access wot warm environments during cold months

21
Q

internal urban hypothermia

A

pt who are subjected to colder temps in winter months when they attempt to minimize heating bills to save money.

22
Q

a life-threatening late complication of hypothyroidism that may be precipitated by exposure to cold temps as well as to illness, infection, trauma, or certain drugs

A

myxedema coma

23
Q

damage to tissues in a specific part of the body resulting from exposure to cold. require much colder temps than are needed to produce generalized hypothermia

A

local cold injury - frost bite

24
Q

S/S - stages of generalized hypothermia

A

decreased mental status
decreased motor and sensory function
changing vital signs

25
Q

mild hypothermia core temp range

A

95 - 91.4 F

26
Q

moderate hypothermia core temp range

A

89.6 - 85.2 F

27
Q

severe hypothermia core temp range

A

82.4 - 71.6 F

28
Q

profound hypothermia core temp range

A

68 - 48.2 F

29
Q

the basic principles of emergency care for generalized hypothermia are:

A

preventing further heat loss
rewarming ASAP
staying alert for complications

30
Q

technique of aggressively applying external sources of heat to a Pt to rewarm his body

A

active rewarming

31
Q

the use of the pt’s own heat production and conservation mechanisms to rewarm him, for example, simply placing the pt in a warm environment and covering him with blankets

A

passive rewarming

32
Q

S/S:
blanching of the skin (palp - normal color does not return)
loss of feeling and sensation in injured area
continued softness of the skin in injured area/and tissue beneath it
tingling sensation during any rewarming

A

superficial local cold injury

33
Q

S/S:
white, waxy skin
a firm-to-frozen feeling when skin is palp-ed
swelling
blisters
partial/whole thawing - skin appears flushed with areas of purple and blanching or the skin appears mottled and cyanotic

A

deep local cold injury

34
Q

the least serious form of heat-related injury is muscle spasms, or cramps, that are thought by some researchers to result from the body losing too much salt during profuse sweating.

A

heat cramps

35
Q

occurs when the bodys cooling mechanisms have been expended, and the central nervous system and other systems are starting to show the consequences of this depletion.

A

heat exhaustion

36
Q

occurs when the bodys heat-regulating mechanisms break down and become unable to cool the body sufficiently.

A

heat stroke

37
Q

occurs typically to elderly patients with sedentary lifestyles, pt’s who are chronically ill or are on medications inhibiting the temp-sensing ability of the body or patients who live in regions that rarely experience heat waves

A

nonexertional heat stroke

38
Q

occurs to younger individuals who are engaged in strenuous physical exertion in a very hot environment for prolonged periods.

A

exertional heat stroke

39
Q

factors that can predispose an individual to heat related injuries include the following:

A
climate
exercise and strenuous activity
age
preexisting illness
certain drugs and medications
lack of acclimation
40
Q
S/S
elevated core temp
muscle cramps
weakness or exhaustion
dizziness or faintness
rapid pulse - at first
deep, rapid breathing - at first
H/A
seizures
loss of app. 
N/V
AMS - unresponsive
A

hyperthermia

41
Q

lightning bolt makes direct contact with the pt

A

direct strike

42
Q

lightning strikes an object the pt is in contact with

A

contact strike

43
Q

lightning strikes an object and jumps to a nearby person

A

splash or side flash strike

44
Q

lightning current energizes the ground

A

ground current or step voltage strike

45
Q
S/S:
AMS
retrograde amnesia - can't remember events before accident
anterograde amnesia - cant remember events after
weakness
pain, tingling, and numbness
pale, cool, clammy
temporary paralysis
dizziness
loss of pupillary function
seizures
vertigo
A

lightning strike

46
Q
S/S:
general ill feeling
loss of appetite
H/A
disturbance in sleep
resp distress upon exertion
A

altitude illness

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