11 Environmental Injuries Or Illnesses Flashcards
List the 3 types of heat illnesses.
Heat cramps
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke.
Describe heat cramps.
Skeletal muscles spasm
Likely due to fluid and salt loss from heavy sweating.
What are the two signs of heat cramps?
Muscle contractions usually in the legs and abdomen
Moist skin
3 steps to care for heat cramps:
Rest in cool area and drink fluids
Gently stretch and massage cramped muscle
Avoid activity
What are the skin signs differences for heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Serious capitalized.
E- moist, warm
S- Dry, Hot
What are the physical signs differences for heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Serious capitalized.
E- headache, weakness, exhaustion, Nausea, Vomity, Fainting
S- Seizures, Coma, Severe headache
What are the mental signs differences for heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Serious capitalized.
E- Anxiety, Dizziness
S- Altered behaviour, Irritable, Aggressive, Bizarre
What are the breathing signs differences for heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Serious capitalized.
E-normal
S-Rapid, Shallow
Care for heat exhaustion (3+2)
Remove from heat Loosen clothing Do not dry skin *Pour water on torso *Fan skin
Care for heat stroke (3+4)
Remove from heat Loosen clothing Do not dry skin *Immerse body in cool water *Immerse forearms in cool water *Pour water on torso *Fan skin
Other techniques for cooling the body:
Ice packs in cloth placed in armpit, groin, back of neck.
Cool drink
What is normal body temperature?
37C or 98.6F
What are frost nip and frost bite?
Nip is frozen skin
Bite is tissue under skin freezes.
When should you warm a frost nip/bite area?
Only when it can be kept from re-freezing.
Signs of frost nip/bite (4)
Pain, stinging, numbness
Paler skin
Burning, redness, pain, blisters after thawing
Cold, hard skin, discoloured and waxy
Frost nip/bite care (6)
Remove anything that restricts blood flow.
Warm using bey heat or warm water 38-40C.
Rehydrate with warm sugary drinks.
Ibuprofen is safe.
Protect area with loose dressings.
Elevate above heart.
Common types of NFCI?
Immersion foot or trench foot.
Signs of NFCI?
Reduced sensitivity
Blanched, yellow, white, mottled appearance
Numbness, unsteady gait
Capillaries in nail beds slow to refill
Cold skin
Possible swelling
Afterwards- hot red skin, burning/throbbing, swelling, sensitivity to cold
Care for NCFI/ (2)
Remove person from cold exposure
Elevate and keep cool.
What is hypothermia?
Body core temperature dips below 35C
Care for hypothermia?
Assess responsiveness/ movement/ shivering/ alertness.
Provide care based on assessment.
4 levels of hypothermia.
Cold stressed, not hypothermic- responsive, slight movement issue, shivering, alert
Mild hypothermia- responsive, impaired movement, shivering, alert
Moderate hypothermia- responsive, impaired movement, shivering low or none, not alert
Severe hypothermia- cold and unresponsive