36: Environmental Emergencies Flashcards
The natural tendency of the body to maintain a steady and normal internal environment.
Homeostasis
A medical condition caused or exacerbated by the weather, terrain, atmospheric pressure, or other local factors.
Environmental Emergency
Rate at which the body consumes energy just to maintain stavility; the basic metabolic rate of an awake, resting person 12 - 14 hours after eating and at a comfortable temprature.
Basal Metabolic Rate
Rate at which the body consumes energy during activity. It is faster during activity. It is faster than the basal metabolic rate.
Exertional Metabolic Rate
Increased core body temperature due to inadequate thermolysis.
Heat illness
Unusually high core body temperature.
Hyperthermia
Condition that damages the autonomic nervous system, which usually senses changes in core temperature and controls vasodilation and perspiration to dissipate heat.
Autonomic Neuropathy
The reversible changes in body structure and function by which the body becomes adjusted to a change in environment.
Acclimatization
Acute painful spasms of the voluntary muscles following strenuous activity in a hot environment without adequate fluid or salt intake
Heat Cramps
A mild heat illness; an acute reaction to heat exposure.
Heat Exhaustion
Fever, or above normal body temperature.
Pyrexia
Any substance causing a fever, such as viruses and bacteria or substances produced within the body in response infection or inflammation.
Pyrogen
State of low body temperature, particularly low core body temperature.
Hypothermia
ECG deflection found at the junction of the QRS complex and the ST segment. It is associated with hypothermia and seen at core temperatures below 32 degrees C. most commonly in leads II and V6; also called an Osborn Wave.
J Wave
Environmentally induced freezing of body tissues causing destruction of cells.
Frostbite
Freezing involving only epidermal tissues resulting in redness followed by blanching and diminished sensation; also called frostnip.
Superficial Frostbite
Freezing involving epidermal and subcutaneous tissues resulting in a white appearance, hard feeling on palpation, loss of sensation.
Deep Frostbite
A painful foot disorder resembling frostbite adn resulting from exposure to cold and wet, which can eventually result in tissue sloughing or gangrene; also called immersion foot.
Trench Foot
Asphyxia resulting from submersion in liquid with death occurring within 24 hours of submersion.
Drowning
An incident of potentially fatal submersion in liquid which did not result in death or in which death occurred mor than 24 hours after submersion.
Near Drowning
A compound secreted by cells in the lungs that regulates the surface tension of the fluid that lines the alveoli, which is important in keeping the alveoli open for gas exchange.
Surfactant
A complex cardiovascular reflex resulting from submersion of the face and nose in water, that constricts blood flow everywhere except to the brain.
Mammalian Diving Reflex
Injuries caused by changes in pressure. This occurs from increasing pressure during a diving descent is commonly called “the squeeze”.
Barotruama
A state of stupor that develops during deep dives due to nitrogens effect on cerebral function; also called “raptures of the deep”.
Nitrogen Narcosis
Development of nitrogen bubbles within the tissues due to reduction of air pressure when a diver returns to the surface; also called “the bends”.
Decompression Illness
Expansion of air held in the lungs during ascent. IF not exhaled, the expanded air may cause injury to the lungs and surrounding structures.
Pulmonary Overpressure
An air bubble, or air embolism, that enters the circulatory system from a damaged lung.
Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE)
The presence of air in the mediastinum.
Pneumomediastinum
A collection of air in the pleural space. Air may enter the pleural space through an injury to the lungs.
Pneumothorax
Resubmission of a person to a greater pressure so that gradual decompression cam be achieved; often used in the treatment of diving emergencies.
Recompression
Re-compression chamber used to treat patients suffering from barotrauma.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber
