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Trauma and Trauma Systems > Environmental Emergencies > Flashcards

Environmental Emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

introduction

A
  • medical emergencies can result from environmental factors
  • certain populations are at higher risk:
  • children- higher BSA/weight ratio
  • older people- thinner skin
  • people with chronic illnesses
  • young adults who overexert themsevles
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2
Q

introduction

A
  • environmental emergencies include:
  • heat-and cold-related emergencies
  • water emergencies
  • pressure related injures- ascending or descending
  • injuries caused by lightening
  • envenomation
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3
Q

physical condition

A

-patients who are ill or in poor physical condition will not tolerate extreme temperatures well

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4
Q

age

A

-infants, children, and older adults are more likely to experience temperature related illnesses

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5
Q

nutrition and hydration

A
  • a lack of food or water will aggravate hot or cold stress

- alcohol will change the bodys ability to regulate temperature

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6
Q

environmental conditions

A
  • conditions that can complicate environmental situations:
  • air temperature
  • humidity level
  • wind
  • extremes in temperature and humidity are not needed to produce injuries
  • most hypothermia occurs at temperature between 30-50
  • most heat stroke occurs when the temperature is 80 and the humidity is 80%
  • examine the environmental temperature of your patient
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7
Q

cold exposure

A
  • cold exposure may cause injury to:
  • feet
  • hands
  • ears
  • nose
  • whole body (hypothermia)
  • there are five ways the body can lose heat
  • falling and being stuck on the floor -> you lose heat to the ground overtime
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8
Q

conduction

A
  • direct transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object by direct contact
  • heat can also be gained if the substance being touched is warm
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9
Q

convection

A
  • transfer of heat to circulating air

- when cool air moves across the body

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10
Q

evaporation

A
  • conversion of any liquid to gas
  • natural mechanism by which sweating cools the body
  • when you run out of sweat (dehydration) you over heat
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11
Q

radiation

A
  • transfer of heat by radiant energy

- heat loss caused when a person stands in a cold room

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12
Q

respiration

A
  • loss of body heat during normal breathing
  • warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
  • if air temperature is above body temperature and individual can gain heat
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13
Q

the rate and amount of heat loss or gain by the body can be modified in 3 ways:

A
  • increase or decrease in heat production
  • move to an area where heat loss can be decreased or increased
  • wear the appropriate clothing for the environment
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14
Q

-hypothermia

A
  • normal- 98.6
  • core temperature falls below 95 (35C)
  • body loses the ability to regulate its temperature and generate body heat
  • eventually, key organs such as the heart begin to slow down and mental status deteriorates
  • can lead to death
  • air temperature does not have to be below freezing for it to occur
  • can develop quickly or gradually
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15
Q

people at risk for hypothermia

A
  • homeless people and those whose homes lack heating
  • swimmers- wet -> lose body heat to the water faster than air
  • geriatric, pediatric, and ill individuals (circulatory issues)
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16
Q

mild hypothermia

A
  • occurs when the core temperature is between 90-95 (32-35)
  • patient is usually alert and shivering
  • pulse rate and respirations are rapid
  • skin may appear red, pale, or cyanotic
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17
Q

more severe hypothermia

A
  • occurs when the core temperature is less than 90 (32)
  • shivering stops- circulation is going more towards core -> vasoconstriction
  • muscular activity decreases
  • as core temperature drops to 85
  • patients becomes lethargic and stops fighting the cold
  • may show impaired judgement
  • stroke mimic
  • cardiac dysrhythmias -> ventricular fibrillation
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18
Q

local cold injuries

A
  • most injuries from cold are confined to exposed parts of the body:
  • extremities (especially feet and hands)
  • ears
  • nose
  • face
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19
Q

important factors in determining the severity of a local cold injury

A
  • duration of the exposure
  • temperature to which the body part was exposed
  • wind velocity during exposure
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20
Q

you should also investigate underlying factors for local cold injuries

A
  • exposure to wet conditions
  • inadequate insulation from cold or wind
  • restricted circulation from tight clothing or shoes or circulatory disease
  • fatigue
  • poor nutrition
  • underlying factors:
  • alcohol or drug abuse
  • hypothermia
  • diabetes
  • cardiovascular disease
  • age
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21
Q

frostnip

A
  • after prolonged exposure to the cold, skin may freeze while deeper tissues are unaffected
  • usually affects the ear, nose, and fingers
  • usually not painful, so the patients often is unaware that a cold injury has occurred
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22
Q

immersion foot

A
  • occurs after prolonged exposure to cold water
  • common in hikers and hunter
  • pale, wrinkly
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23
Q

frostnip and immersion foot: signs and symptoms

A
  • skin is pale and cold to the touch
  • normal color does not return after palpation of the skin
  • the skin of the foot may be wrinkled but can also remain soft
  • the patient reports loss of feeling and sensation in the injured area
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24
Q

frostbite

A
  • most serious local cold injury because the tissue are actually frozen
  • gangrene requires surgical removal of dead tissue
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25
Q

signs and symptoms: frostbite

A
  • most frostbitten parts are hard and waxy
  • the injured part feels firm to frozen as you gently touch it
  • blisters and swelling may be present
  • in light skinned individuals with a deep injury, the skin may appear red with purple and white, or mottled and cyanotic
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26
Q

depth of skin damage: frostbite

A
  • depth of skin damage will vary
  • with superficial frostbite -> only the skin frozen
  • deep frostbite -> deeper tissues are frozen
  • you may not be able to tell superficial from deep frostbite in the field
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27
Q

primary assessment

A
  • if the patient is in cardiac arrest, begin compressions
  • airway and breathing:
  • ensure that the patient has an adequate airway and is breathing
  • warmed, humidified oxygen helps warm the patient from the inside out
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28
Q

primary assessment: circulation

A
  • palpate for a carotid pulse and wait for up to 60 seconds to decide if the patient is pulseless
  • the AHA recommends that CPR be started on a patients who has no detectable pulse or breathing
  • perfusion will be compromised
  • bleeding may be difficult to find
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29
Q

primary assessment: transport decision hypothermia

A
  • complications can include cardiac dysrhythmias and blood clotting abnormalities
  • all patients with hypothermia require immediate transport
  • rough handling of a hypothermic patient may cause a cold, slow, weak heart to fibrillate
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30
Q

history taking

A
  • investigate the chief complaint
  • obtain a medical history
  • be alert for injury specific signs and symptoms and any pertinent negatives
  • SAMPLE history
  • find out how long your patient has been exposed to the cold environment
  • exposures may be short or prolonged
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31
Q

secondary assessment: vital signs

A
  • may be altered by the effects of hypothermia and can be an indicator of its severity
  • respirations may be slow and shallow
  • low BP and a slow pulse indicate moderate to severe hypothermia
  • evaluate for changes in mental status
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32
Q

resassessment

A
  • repeat the primary assessment
  • reassess vital signs and the chief complain
  • monitor the patients level of consciousness and vital signs
  • rewarming can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias
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33
Q

general management of cold emergencies

A
  • move the patient from the cold environment
  • remove any wet clothing
  • place dry blankets over and under the patient
  • if available give the patient warm humidified oxygen
  • handle the patient gently
  • do not massage the extremities
  • do not allow the patient to eat or use and stimulants
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34
Q

mild hypothermia

A
  • patient is alert, shivering, and responds appropriately
  • place the patient in a warm environment and remove wet clothing
  • apply heat packs or hot water bottles to the groin, axillary, and cervical regions
  • give warm fluids by mouth
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35
Q

moderate or severe hypothermia

A
  • do not try to actively rewarm the patient
  • the goal is to prevent further heat loss
  • remove the patient from the cold environment
  • remove wet clothing, cover with blanket, and transport
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36
Q

main treatments for hypothermia

A
  • remove the patient from further exposure to the cold
  • handle the injured part gently, and protect it from further injury
  • remove any wet or restricting clothing over the injured part
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37
Q

if transport will be delayed, consider active rewarming

A
  • with frostnip, contact with a warm object may be all that is needed
  • with immersion foot, remove wet shoes, boots, and socks and rewarm the foot gradually
  • with a late or deep cold injury, do not apply heat or rewarm the part
  • never rub or massage injured tissues
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38
Q

rewarming in the field

A
  • immerse the frostbitten part in water between 102-104
  • dress the area with dry, sterile dressings
  • if blisters have formed, do not break them
  • never attempt rewarming if there is any chance that the part may freeze again
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39
Q

cold exposure and you

A
  • you are at risk for hypothermia if you work in a cold environment
  • if cold weather search and rescue is possible in your area you need:
  • survival training
  • precautionary tips
  • wear appropriate clothing
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40
Q

heat exposure

A
  • in a hot environment the body tries to rid itself of excess heat
  • sweating (and evaporation of the sweat)
  • dilation of skin blood vessels
  • removal of clothing and relocation to a cooler environment
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41
Q

hyperthermia

A
  • core temperature of 101 (38.3) or higher
  • risk factors of heat illness:
  • high air temperature (reduces radiation)
  • high humidity (reduces evaporation)
  • lack of acclimation to the heat
  • vigorous exercise (loss of fluid and electrolytes)
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42
Q

persons at greatest risk for heat illnesses

A
  • children (especially newborns and infants)
  • geriatric patients
  • patients with heart disease, COPD, diabetes dehydration, and obesity
  • patients with limited mobility
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43
Q

heat cramps

A
  • painful muscle spasms that occur after vigorous exercise
  • do not occur only when it is hot outdoors
  • exact cause is not well understood
  • usually occur in the leg or abdominal muscles
44
Q

heat exhaustion

A
  • most common illness caused by heat:
  • causes:
  • heat exposure
  • stress
  • fatigue
  • hypovolemia as the result of the loss of water and electrolytes
45
Q

signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion

A
  • dizziness, weakness, or syncope
  • muscle cramping
  • onset while working hard or exercising in a hot, humid, or poorly ventilated environment and sweating heavily
  • onset, even at rest, in the older and infant age groups
  • cold, clammy skin with ashen pallor
  • dry tongue and thirst
  • normal vital signs
  • normal or slightly elevated body temperature
46
Q

heat stroke

A
  • least common but most serious illness caused by heat exposure
  • occurs when the body is subjected to more heat that can handle and normal mechanisms are overwhelmed
  • untreated heat stroke always results in death
47
Q

heat stroke: typical onset

A
  • during vigorous physical activity
  • outdoors or in a closed, poorly ventilated humid space
  • during heat waves without sufficient are conditioning or poor ventilation
  • children left unattended in a locked care on a hot day
48
Q

heat stroke: signs and symptoms

A
  • hot, dry, flushed skin
  • skin may be moist or wat due to exertion by the patient
  • quickly rising body temperature
  • falling level of consciousness
  • change in behavior
  • unresponsiveness
  • seizures
  • strong, rapid pulse at first, becoming weaker will falling BP
  • increasing respiratory rate
  • lack of perspiration
49
Q

scene size up

A
  • if the patient is immersed in a cold water immersion bath, monitor the patient and assist as necessary
  • protect yourself from heat and stay hydrated
  • use appropriate standard precautions, including gloves and eye protection
50
Q

primary assessment: circulation

A
  • if adequate assess for perfusion and bleeding
  • assess the patients skin condition
  • treat for shock
  • moist, pale, cool skin- excessive fluid and salt loss
  • hot,dry skin- body is unable to regulate core temperature
  • hot, moist skin- body is unable to regulate core temperature
51
Q

investigate the chief complaint

A 
-Be alert for injury-specific signs and symptoms. 
• Absence of perspiration
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Confusion
• Muscle cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
52
Q

history taking: SAMPLE history

A

-Note any activities, conditions, or medications.
• Inadequate oral intake
• Diuretics
• Medications
-Determine exposure to heat and humidity and activities prior to onset

53
Q

physical examinations

A

-Assess the patient for muscle cramps or
confusion.
-Examine the patient’s mental status and vital signs.
-Pay special attention to skin temperature, turgor, and level of moisture.
-Perform a careful neurologic examination

54
Q

vital signs

A

-Patients who are hyperthermic will be
tachycardic and tachypneic.
-Falling blood pressure indicates that the patient is going into shock.
-In heat exhaustion, the skin temperature may be normal or cool and clammy.
-In heat stroke, the skin is hot

55
Q

reassessment

A

-Watch for deterioration
-Patients with symptoms of heat stroke
should be transported immediately.
-Monitor vital signs at least every 5 minutes.
-Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
-Be careful not to overcool a patient.

56
Q

heat cramps management

A
  • Remove the patient from the hot environment and loosen clothing.
  • Administer high-flow oxygen if indicated.
  • Rest the cramping muscles.
  • replace fluids by mouth.
  • Cool the patient with water spray or mist
57
Q

heat stroke management

A
  • Move the patient out of the hot environment and into the ambulance.
  • Set air conditioning to maximum cooling.
  • Remove the patient’s clothing.
  • Administer high-flow oxygen if indicated.
  • Assist ventilations as needed
  • Cover the patient with wet towels or sheets.
  • Aggressively fan the patient.
  • Exclude other causes of altered mental status.
  • Check blood glucose level if possible.
  • Transport immediately to the hospital.
  • Notify the hospital.
  • Call for ALS if the patient begins to shiver.
58
Q

drowning

A

-process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid
-Some agencies may still use the term “near drowning” to refer to a patient who survives
at least 24 hours after suffocation in water

59
Q

risk factors of drowning

A
  • alcoholism consumption
  • preexisting seizure disorders
  • geriatric patients with cardiovascular disease
  • unsupervised access to water
60
Q

laryngospams

A

-inhaling water causes the muscles of the larynx and vocal cords to spasm

61
Q

spinal injuries in submersion incidents

A
  • Submersion incidents may be complicated by spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries.
  • Assume spinal injury if:
  • Submersion resulted from a diving mishap or fall.
  • The patient is unconscious.
  • The patient complains of weakness, paralysis, or numbness
  • Most spinal injuries in diving incidents affect the cervical spine.
  • Stabilize the suspected injury while the patient is still in the water.
62
Q

water safety

A
  • Water rescues are usually handled by specialized rescue personnel.
  • “Reach, throw, and row, and only then go.”
63
Q

recovery techniques: drowning

A
  • If the patient is not floating or visible in the water, an organized rescue effort is necessary.
  • Specialized personnel are required, with snorkel, mask, and scuba gear
64
Q

resuscitation efforts

A
  • Never give up on resuscitating a cold-water drowning victim.
  • Hypothermia can protect vital organs from the lack of oxygen.
  • the diving reflex may cause immediate bradycardia.
  • Slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water
65
Q

descent emergencies

A
  • caused by the sudden increase in pressure as the person dives deeper into the water
  • The pain forces the diver to return to the surface to equalize the pressures, and the problem clears up by itself.
  • typical areas affected:
  • lungs
  • sinus cavities
  • middle ear
  • teeth
  • face
66
Q

descent emergencies: perforated tympanic membrane

A
  • Cold water may enter the middle ear through a ruptured eardrum.
  • The diver may lose his or her balance, shoot to the surface, and run into ascent problems
67
Q

emergencies at the bottom

A
  • rarely occur
  • Caused by faulty connections in the diving gear
  • Inadequate mixing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air the diver breathes
  • Accidental feeding of poisonous carbon monoxide into the breathing apparatus
  • Can cause drowning or rapid ascend
68
Q

ascent emergenices

A
  • usually requires aggressive resuscitation
  • air embolism:
  • most dangerous and most common scuba diving emergency
  • bubbles of air in the blood vessels
  • air pressure in the lungs remains at a high level while pressure on the chest decreases
69
Q

decompression sickness: Ascent emergencies

A
  • the “bends”
  • bubbles of gas, especially nitrogen, obstruct the blood vessels
  • conditions that can cause the bends:
  • too rapid an ascent from a dive
  • too long of a dive at too deep of a depth
  • repeat dives within a short period
  • complications:
  • blockage of tiny blood vessels
  • depriving parts of the body of their normal blood supply
  • severe pain in certain tissues or spaces
  • signs and symptoms:
  • abdominal/joint pain so severe that the patient doubles up
70
Q

you may find it difficult to distinguish between air embolism and decompression sickness

A
  • air embolism generally occurs immediately on return to surface
  • symptoms of decompression sickness may not occur for several hours
71
Q

treatment: ascent emergencies

A
  • same for both
  • basic life support (BLS)
  • recompression in a hyperbaric chamber
72
Q

transport decision: ascending

A
  • Always transport near-drowning patients to the hospital.
  • Inhalation of any amount of fluid can lead to delayed complications.
  • Decompression sickness and air embolism must be treated in a recompression chamber
73
Q

history taking: ascending

A
  • Investigate the chief complaint.
  • Obtain a medical history.
  • Be alert for injury-specific signs and symptoms.
  • SAMPLE history
  • Determine the depth of the dive, length of time the patient was underwater, time of onset of symptoms, and previous diving activity.
  • Note any physical activity, alcohol or drug use, or other medical conditions
74
Q

reassessment

A
  • repeat the primary assessment.
  • Drowning patients may deteriorate rapidly due to:
  • Pulmonary injury
  • Fluid shifts in the body
  • Cerebral hypoxia
  • Hypothermia
  • Pneumothorax, air embolism, or decompression sickness patients may decompensate quickly.
75
Q

reassessment: document

A
  • Circumstances of drowning and extrication
  • Time submerged
  • Temperature and clarity of the water
  • Possible spinal injury
  • Bring a dive log or dive computer.
  • Bring all dive equipment to the hospital.
76
Q

for air embolism or decompression sickness in a conscious patient

A
  • Remove the patient from the water.
  • try to keep the patient calm.
  • Administer oxygen.
  • Consider the possibility of pneumothorax and monitor breath sounds.
  • Provide prompt transport
77
Q

other water hazards

A

-Pay close attention to the body temperature of a person who is rescued from cold water.
-Breath-holding syncope
-A person swimming in shallow water may
experience a loss of consciousness caused by a decreased stimulus for breathing.
- Treatment is the same as a drowning patient

78
Q

prevention: immersion incidents

A

-appropriate precautions can prevent most
immersion incidents.
-All pools should be surrounded by a fence.
-The most common problem in child drownings is lack of adult supervision.
-Half of all teenage and adult drownings are associated with the use of alcohol

79
Q

high altitude

A
  • altitude illness
  • caused by diminished oxygen in the air at high altitudes
  • affects the central nervous system and pulmonary system
80
Q

acute mountain sickness

A

-Diminished oxygen in the blood
-Caused by ascending too high, too fast or not being acclimatized to high altitudes
-Signs and symptoms:
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue
-Loss of appetite
-Nausea
-Difficulty sleeping
-Shortness of breath during physical exertion
-Swollen face

81
Q

high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)

A

-Fluid collects in the lungs, hindering the passage of oxygen into the bloodstream
-Signs and symptoms:
• Shortness of breath
• Cough with pink sputum
• Cyanosis
• Rapid pulse

82
Q

high altitude cerebral edema (HACE)

A

-may accompany HAPE and can quickly become life threatening
-signs and symptoms:
-Severe, constant, throbbing headache
• Ataxia
• Extreme fatigue
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

83
Q

treatment of HAPE/HACE

A
  • provide oxygen
  • descend from the height
  • transport promptly
  • provide positive pressure ventilation with bag valve mask for inadequate respirations
84
Q

lightening

A
  • Lightning is acommon cause of death from isolated environmental phenomena.
  • Targets of direct lightning strikes:
  • People engaged in outdoor activities (boaters, swimmers, golfers)
  • Anyone in a large, open area
  • Many individuals are indirectly struck when standing near an object that has been struck by lightning, such as a tree.
  • The cardiovascular and nervous systems are most commonly injured.
  • Respiratory or cardiac arrest is the most common cause of lightning-related deaths
85
Q

categories of lightening injuries

A
  • mild- loss of consciousness, amnesia, confusion, tingling, superficial burns
  • moderate- seizures, respiratory arrest, dysrhythmias, superficial burns
  • severe- cardiopulmonary arrest
86
Q

lightening: emergency medical care

A

-Protect yourself.
-Move the patient to a sheltered area.
-Use reverse triage.
-Treatment:
• Stabilize the spine and open the airway.
• Assist ventilations or use an AED.
• Control bleeding and transport

87
Q

spider bites

A
  • Spiders are numerous and widespread in the United States.
  • Many species of spiders bite.
  • Only the female black widow spider and the brown recluse spider deliver serious or life threatening bites.
  • Be alert to the possibility that the spider may still be in the area.
88
Q

black widow spider

A
  • The female is fairly large, measuring approximately 2 inches across.
  • Usually black with a distinctive, bright red-orange marking in the shape of an hourglass on its abdomen
  • found in every state except alaska
  • prefer dry, dim places
  • generally these symptoms subside over 48 hours
  • emergency treatment consist of BLS for the patient in respiratory distress
  • transport as soon as possible
  • the bite is sometimes overlooked:
  • most bites cause localized pain and symptoms, including agonizing muscles spasms
  • the main danger is the venom, which his poisonous to nerve tissue
89
Q

black widow spider: systemic symptoms

A 
-Dizziness
– Sweating
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Rashes
– Tightness in the chest
– Severe cramps
90
Q

brown recluse spider

A
  • Dull brown in color and 1 inch long
  • Violin-shaped mark on its back
  • Lives mostly in the southern and central parts of the country
  • tends to live in dark areas
  • The venom is not neurotoxic, but cytotoxic.
  • It causes severe local tissue damage.
  • Typically, the bite is not painful at first but becomes so within hours.
  • The area becomes swollen and tender, developing a pale, mottled, cyanotic center
91
Q

hymenoptera stings

A
  • Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, ants
  • Stings are painful but are not a medical emergency.
  • Remove the stinger and venom sac using a firm-edged item such as a credit card to scrape the stinger and sac off the skin.
  • Anaphylaxis may occur if the patient is allergic to the venom
92
Q

snakebites

A
  • Of the approximately 115 different species of snakes in the United States, only 19 are venomous.
  • Rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth or water moccasin, and coral snakes
  • snakes usually do not bite unless provoked, angered, or accidentally injured.
  • Protect yourself from getting bitten.
  • Use extreme caution and wear proper PPE.
  • The classic appearance of the poisonous snakebite is two small puncture wounds, with discoloration, swelling, and pain.
93
Q

pit vipers

A
  • Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths are all pit vipers, with triangular-shaped, flat heads.
  • Small pits that contain poison located just behind each nostril and in front of each eye
94
Q

rattlesnakes: pit vipers

A
  • most common form of pit viper
  • many patterns of color, diamond pattern
  • can grow to 6 feet or longer
95
Q

copperheads: pit vipers

A
  • usually, 2-3 feet long
  • red copper color crossed with brown and red bands
  • their bites are almost never fatal, but the venom can cause significant damage to extremities
96
Q

cottonmouths: pit vipers

A
  • Olive or brown with black cross-bands and a yellow undersurface
  • Water snakes with aggressive behavior
  • Tissue destruction may be severe
97
Q

signs of envenomation: pit vipers

A
  • Severe burning pain at the site of injury
  • Swelling and bluish discoloration
  • Weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Seizures
  • Fainting
  • vision problems
  • changes in LOC
  • shock
98
Q

pit vipers: treatment

A
  • Calm the patient and place in a supine position.
  • Locate the bite area and clean it gently with soap and water.
  • Be alert for an anaphylactic reaction and treat with an epinephrine auto-injector as appropriate.
  • Do not give anything by mouth, and be alert for vomiting.
  • If the bite occurred on the trunk, keep the patient supine and quiet, and transport as quickly as possible.
  • If there are any signs of shock, treat for it.
  • if the snake has been killed, bring it with you.
  • Notify the hospital that you are bringing in a patient with a snakebite.
  • Transport promptly
99
Q

coral snakes

A
  • Small reptile with a series of bright red, yellow, and black bands completely encircling the body
  • Lives in most southern states
  • Injects the venom with its teeth and tiny fangs by a chewing motion, leaving puncture wounds
  • Usually bites victims on a finger or toe
  • Coral snake venom is a powerful toxin that causes paralysis of the nervous system.
  • Within a few hours of being bitten, a patient will exhibit bizarre behavior, followed by progressive paralysis of eye movements and respiration.
  • Antivenin is available, but most hospitals do not stock it.
  • Emergency care is the same as for a pit viper bit
100
Q

scorpion stings

A
  • Scorpions are eight-legged arachnids with a venom gland and a stinger at the end of their tail.
  • They are rare and live primarily in the southwestern United States and in deserts.
  • With one exception, a scorpion’s sting is usually very painful, but not dangerous
  • smaller one is venomous
101
Q

scorpion stings

A

-the exception is the centruoides sculpturatus
-venom may cause:
-Circulatory collapse
• Severe muscle contractions
• Excessive salivation
• Hypertension
• Convulsions and cardiac failure

102
Q

tick bites

A
  • Tiny insects that usually attach themselves directly to the skin
  • Found most often in brush, shrubs, trees, sand dunes, or other animals
  • Only a fraction of an inch long
  • Danger comes from infectious diseases spread through the tick’s saliva
  • Tick bites occur most commonly during the summer months.
  • If transport will be delayed, remove the tick by using fine tweezers to grasp the head and pull it straight out of the skin.
  • Once the tick is removed, cleanse the area with antiseptic and save the tick for identification.
103
Q

rocky mountain spotted fever: tick bites

A

-Occurs within 7 to 10 days after the bite
-Symptoms:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Cardiorespiratory collapse

104
Q

lyme disease: tick bites

A
  • Reported in all states except Hawaii
  • The first symptoms are generally fever and flulike symptoms, sometimes associated with a bull’s-eye rash that may spread to several parts of the body.
  • Painful swelling of the joints occurs.
  • May be confused with rheumatoid arthritis
105
Q

injuries from marine animals

A
  • Coelenterates are responsible for more envenomations than any other marine animals.
  • Fire coral, Portuguese man-of-war, sea wasp, sea nettles, true jellyfish, sea anemones, true coral, and soft coral
106
Q

signs and symptoms of injuries from marine animals

A
  • Very painful, reddish lesions in light skinned individuals
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fainting
107
Q

emergency treatment: injuries from marine animals

A
  • Limit further discharge of nematocysts by avoiding fresh water, wet sand, showers, or careless manipulation of the tentacles.
  • Keep the patient calm.
  • Reduce motion of the affected extremity.
  • Remove the remaining tentacles by scraping them off with the edge of a sharp, stiff object.
  • Provide transport to the emergency department

Trauma and Trauma Systems (18 decks)

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