Thermo-Regulated Emergencies Flashcards
(57 cards)
1
Q
What are types of environmental illnesses?
A
- heat related illness
- cold injury
- altitude
- UV light
- lightning
2
Q
Constant core temp is
A
37deg Celcius
3
Q
What is hypothermia
A
body loses heat faster than it can produce heat
4
Q
What is hyperthermia
A
heat gain is faster than body can shed heat
5
Q
What happens in humid environments?
A
Sweat can’t evaporate as easity
6
Q
Factors that affect exposure to thermoregulatory injuries
A
- Physical condition (tolerating extreme temps)
- Age (children, elderly, chronic illnessess)
- Nutrition and hydration (calories for metabolism, water catalyst)
- Environmental conditions (temp, humidity, wind)
7
Q
Head stroke cases at what temp?
A
26.7deg C
8
Q
Hypothermia at what temp?
A
-1 to 10deg C
9
Q
What are the 4 ways the body loses heat?
A
1- radiation
2- convection
3- conduction
4- evaporation
10
Q
Describe convection
A
loss of heat when air close to skin moves away taking body heat w/ it
- 40% loss thru head and neck
11
Q
What is radiation
A
- body heat emitted into environment
12
Q
What is conduction
A
- loss of body heat thru direct contact w/ another surface
13
Q
In what environments do you lose heat faster due to conduction?
A
- water
- on ice (2x)
14
Q
What is evaporation
A
- loss of body heat thru evaporation of moisture in form of sweat on skin
- during exercise: 75% heat loss in hot-humid environment
15
Q
What are some preventions?
A
- education
- acclimatization (7-10 days)
- monitor weight daily for dehydration (if >3%, rehydrate)
- proper uniforms (light clothing)
- monitor temp and environmental conditions
- adjust practice times/intensity
16
Q
What are heat related illnesses?
A
- burns
- heat edema
- heat rash
- heat syncope
- heat cramps
- heat exhaustion
- heat stroke
17
Q
What are burns a result from?
A
- heat
- electricity
- chemicals
- radiation
18
Q
What are the burn degrees?
A
1st degree: superficial
2nd degree: partial thickness (blisters)
3rd degree: full thickness, all layers of skin (black/white charred tissue)
19
Q
Burns tx
A
- remove from source
- flush w/ cool water up to 15mins
- cover w/ loose, dry, sterile dressing
- NO OINTMENT
20
Q
How do you get heat edema?
A
sit/stand for a long time in a hot environment: swelling of feet/hands
21
Q
S/S and Tx of heat edema
A
- transient venodilation to facilitate core heat loss
- normal body temp
- dependent edema
Tx: hydration, elevate LE, cooling
22
Q
Edema test
A
Pitting: press finger into swollen area
Grade: identify how much fluid is in tissues
23
Q
What are other names for a heat rash?
A
Prickly heat, miliaria rubra
24
Q
S/S and Tx of heat rash
A
- profuse sweating saturates kin and clogs sweat ducts
- pruritic rash (itchy)
- normal body temp
Tx: cooling, reduce clothing, antihistamines/lotions
25
What are common types of exertional heat illnesses?
- heat syncope
- heat cramps
- heat exhaustion
- heat stroke
26
Describe heat syncope
- Orthostatic dizziness (often in un-acclimatized ppl, and standing for a long time)
- usually first 5 days of unaccustomed heat exposure (before blood volume expands)
- Contributing factors: dehydration, venous pooling of blood, reduced cardiac filling, low BP
27
Heat syncope S/S
- brief episode of fainting
- dizziness
- Tunnel vision
- pale/sweaty skin
- dec. pulse rate
28
Tx of Heat syncope
- remove from heat to shaded area
- monitor vitals
- elevate legs
- cool skin
- rehydrate
29
What happens in heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke?
- electrolyte imbalance
- inability to cool oneself
- build up of heat, life-threatening
30
Heat/muscle cramps during/after exercise: potential contributing factors
- dehydration
- electrolyte imbalances
- fatigue
- altered neuromuscular control
31
Heat cramps S/S
short <5mins (overload and fatigue
- visible cramping
- localized pain
- dehydration
- thirst
- sweating
- fatigue
- normal or slightly elevated core temp (37C)
32
Heat cramps tx
- rest/relaxation
- shade/cooler environment
- slowly sip a COOL electrolyte-replacement beverage/water
- passive stretching
- icing, massage
33
RTP for heat cramps
- when cramps stop
Review:
- diet, hydration
- electrolyte consumption
- fitness lvl
- acclimatization lvl
- dietary supplements
34
Describe heat exhaustion
- normal or slightly raised core temp (37-39)
- high rate/volume of skin blood flow, heaving sweating, dehydration
- hot/humid environments
- can progress to heat stroke
35
Heat exhaustion S/S
- excessive fatigue/exhaustion
- profuse sweating
- fainting
- weakness
- vomiting
- nausea
- light headedness
- dehydration or intense thirst
- low BP, pulse is weak, breathing is rapid and shallow
- impaired muscle coordination
36
Heat exhaustion Tx
- rest
- remove clothing
- cool/shady place (fans, ice towels, cold pack to armpits and chest)
- monitor vital signs
- fluid replacement (electrolyte drink)
- supine + elevate legs
- cool until rectal temp 38.3
- if no improvement after 30mins: 911 (or if vomiting, altered LOC, unable to drink)
37
Can heat exhaustion occur over a number of days?
YES
38
Main diff btwn heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Heat exhaustion: inability to cool oneself
- moist/clammy skin
- dilated pupils
- normal or subnormal temp
Heat stroke: build up of heat, life threatening
- dry hot skin
- pupils constricted
- very high body temp
39
Describe heat stroke
- least common, most severe
- neuropsychiatric impairment and high core body temp (>40.5)
- from environment and metabolic heat production of inhibited heat loss
- First sign; CNS dysfunction
- can progress to systemic inflammatory response and multi-organ system failure
40
heat stroke S/S
- hot+dry skin
- red or pale skin
- rapid, weak pulse (irregular)
- hypotension
- rapid, shallow breathing
- thirst
- altered LOC
- loss of balance
- seizure/coma
- apathy
- aggressive/delirious/hysterical
-etc
41
heat stroke tx
- remove excess clothing
- lower core temp to less than 38.9C
- immerse into tub of cold water (2-14C): up to neck and stir
- alternative: cold compresses (armpits, neck, groin), fan, lie down
42
When to call 911?
Heat stroke: always
Heat exhaustion: nausea, vomiting, fainting, anxiety, dizziness
43
How much water should you drink
- 24oz 2 hrs before
- 8oz 30min before
- 6-8oz every 20-30mins during
*avoid too much water: dilutes electrolytes*
*monitor colour of urine*
44
Acclimatization benefits:
Reduce:
- heart rate
- body temp responses
- skin temp responses
- perceived exertion
Increases:
- sweat rate
- sweat onset (earlier)
- heart function/blood distribution
- ability to perform in heat
45
How to acclimatize?
- max 1 practice per day for first 5 days
- max 3hrs per day
- no full gear until day 6
- no full-contact until day 6
- increase intensity GRADUALLY
- inc. sodium in diet for first few days
- no practice when sick
- breaks and sleep
46
What are the 3 categories of cold exposure injuries?
- Hypothermia: dec. core temp
- Frostbite: freezing injuries of the extremities
- Chilblains: non freezing injuries of extremities
47
What are the stages of frostbite?
1st degree (frostnip): irritates the skin
2nd degree (superficial frostbite): blisters, no major damage
3rd degree (deep frostbite): all layers of skin + permanent damage, numbness, jnts/muscles don't work (large blisters 24-48hrs after rewarming, area turns black and hard)
48
Frostbite S/S
- waxy, pale skin to mottle skin
- edema
- redness
- transient numbness/tingling
- tissue is hard and does not rebound
49
Frostbite: what happens when the tissues are actually frozen?
(-2C tissue temp)
- damage to cells
- warm blood shunted
- water crystallization
50
Frostbite Tx
- shelter, care, transport
- drink smth warm (if alert)
- no alcohol
- remove jewelry
- separate digits w/ dry sterile gauze
- do not burst blisters
- rewarm in control setting (rapid immersion with water 38-42C): painful
- do not allow to refreeze: gangrene
- elevate
51
Explain hypothermia (S/S)
- body temp under 35C
- vessels constrict and body shivers at first
- HR: rapid then slow
- rapid to slow breathing
- inc. BP
- muscle stiffness
- decreased LOC
52
How to assess S/S of hypothermia
- pull back glove, place hand on patient's skin at abdomen
- rectal temp
- Never assume that a cold pulseless person is dead: maintain CPR until at hospital and rewarmed
53
When to call 911
- Impaired mvmt + not alert + not shivering
- unconscious
54
Hypothermia Tx
- gentle handling (avoid ventricular fibrilation (V-fib))
- remove from cold + remove wet clothes
- dry blankets or sleeping bags
- warm water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets to upper torso
55
What should a person with hypothermia ingest?
No: food, stimulants, smoke, tabacco, alcohol
Yes: warm, sweet fluids-water non-alcoholic liquids
56
How to prevent hypothermia?
- Nutrition + hydration
- check temp and wind chill factor
- proper layering: multiple layers (under/over), wicking close to skin, synthetic/wool clothing, scarfs/gloves/hat/socks
57
What is C.O.L.D.
Cover: socks/gloves/hat/scarf
Overexertion: loosefitting, layered, lightweight clothing
Layers: outer (tightly woven, water-repellent) + inner (wool/silk/polypropylene)
Dry
