32. Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

air bubbles in the blood vessels

Answer 1

air embolism

Question 2

the temperature of the surrounding environment

Answer 2

ambient temperature

Question 3

a serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect

Answer 3

antivenin

Question 4

a common name for decompression sickness

Answer 4

bends

Question 5

loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing stimulus

Answer 5

breath-holding syncope

Question 6

the loss of heat by direct contact (when a body part comes into contact with a colder object)

Answer 6

conduction

Question 7

the loss of body heat caused by air movement (breeze blowing across the body)

Answer 7

convection

Question 8

the temperature of the central part of the body ( the heart, lungs, and vital organs)

Answer 8

core temperature

Question 9

a painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues

Answer 9

decompression sickness

Question 10

the slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water

Answer 10

diving reflex

Question 11

the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid

Answer 11

drowning

Question 12

any signs and symptoms caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in various tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body

Answer 12

dysbarism injuries

Question 13

the conversion of water or another fluid from a liquid to a gas

Answer 13

evaporation

Question 14

damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts

Answer 14

frostbite

Question 15

painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment

Answer 15

heat cramps

Question 16

a heat emergency in which a significant amount of fluid and electrolyte loss occurs because of heavy sweating; also called heat prostration or heat collapse

Answer 16

heat exhaustion

Question 17

a life-threatening condition of hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by warm, dry skin; severely altered mental status; and often irreversible coma

Answer 17

heat stroke

Question 18

a balance of all systems of the body

Answer 18

homeostasis

Question 19

a family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants, and yellow jackets

Answer 19

hymenoptera

Question 20

a condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101 F or more

Answer 20

hyperthermia

Question 21

a condition in which the core temperature falls below 95 F after exposure to a cold environment

Answer 21

hypothermia

Question 22

the transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy; for example, heat gain from a fire

Answer 22

radiation

Question 23

the loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled

Answer 23

respiration

Question 24

a triage process used in treating multiple victims of a lightning strike, in which efforts are focused on those who are in respiratory and cardiac arrest. Reverse triage is different from conventional triage where such patients would be classified as deceased

Answer 24

reverse triage

Question 25

a system that delivers air to the mouth and lungs at various atmospheric pressures, increasing with the depth of the dive; stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

Answer 25

scuba gear

Question 26

the ability of the skin to resist deformation; tested by gently pinching skin on the forehead or back of the hand

Answer 26

turgor