Ch. 33 Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

Air embolism

Answer 1

The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.

Question 2

Ambient temperature

Answer 2

The temperature of the surrounding environment.

Question 3

Antivenin

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Bends

Answer 4

A common name for decompression sickness.

Question 5

Breath-holding syncope

Answer 5

Loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathig stimulus.

Question 6

Conduction

Answer 6

The loss of heat by direct contact (eg, when a body part comes into contact with a colder object).

Question 7

Convection

Answer 7

The loss of body heat caused by air movement (eg, a breeze blowing across the body).

Question 8

Core temperature

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Decompression sickness

Answer 9

A painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues; see bends.

Question 10

Diving reflex

Answer 10

The slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water. (Sometimes referred to as mamalian diving reflex.)

Question 11

Drowning

Answer 11

The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid.

Question 12

Dysbarism injuries

Answer 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.

Question 13

Evaporation

Answer 13

The conversion of water or another fluid from a gas to a liquid.

Question 14

Frostbite

Answer 14

Damate to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten.

Question 15

Heat cramps

Answer 15

Painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment.

Question 16

Heat exhaustion

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Heatstroke

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Homeostasis

Answer 18

A balance of all systems of the body.

Question 19

Hymenoptera

Answer 19

A family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants, and yellowjackets.

Question 20

Hyperthermia

Answer 20

A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101°F (38.3°C) or more.

Question 21

Hypothermia

Answer 21

A condition in which the body core temperature falls below 95°F (35°C) or more.

Question 22

Radiation

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Respiration

Answer 23

The inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exhchanges carbon dioxide from fresh air.

Question 24

Reverse triage

Answer 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.

Question 25

Scuba gear

Answer 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.

Question 26

Turgor

Answer 26

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