Chapter 29 Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

The body loses heat in five basic ways.

Answer 1

Conduction, Convention, Evaporation, Radiation, and Respiration

Question 2

Conduction

Answer 2

Direct transfer of heat through contact with a colder structure
Example: bare feet on a cold floor

Question 3

Convenction

Answer 3

Loss of heat due to passing air

Question 4

Evaporation

Answer 4

Loss of heat through evaporation of water from the skin

Example: getting out the pool or shower

Question 5

Respiration

Answer 5

In a cold environment, exhaled air has been warmed within the body. That heat is lost on exhalation

Question 6

Radiation

Answer 6

Transfer of radiant heat.

Example: entering a walk-in freezer

Question 7

Hypothermia

Answer 7

A systematic cold emergency due to a drop in core body temperature

Question 8

Signs and symptoms of Hypothermia

Answer 8

Skin: pale and/or cyanosis

Shivering: shivering occurs early and helps increase body heat

Loss of Coordination: -muscles begin to stiffen -patient has difficulty speaking

Altered LOC: LOC can range from confused to coma in severe hypothermia

Vitals: bradycardia, bradypnea and hypotension

Severe hypothermia will eventually lead to coma, cardiac arrest, and death

Question 9

Management of Hypothermia

Answer 9

1) manage life threatening conditions. Pulse check should be extended to determine if patient is in cardiac arrest or severely bradycardiac
2) Remove patient from cold environment
3) remove wet clothing; prevent further heat loss
4) Prehospital rewarming is often limited to passive rewarming measures only (such as blankets).
Rewarming to rapidly can cause ventricular fibrillation

Question 10

Local Cold Emergencies

Answer 10

Frostnip, Trench foot, and Frostbite,

Question 11

Signs and symptoms of Frostnip

Answer 11

Pale and cold skin, and loss of sensation in affected areas

Question 12

Frostnip

Answer 12

A mild injury due to to exposure to the cold

Question 13

Trench foot

Answer 13

A local cold inury caused by prolonged exposure to the cold and water

Question 14

Frostbite

Answer 14

Injury due to exposure to cold resulting in frozen tissue

Question 15

Signs and symptoms of Frostbite

Answer 15

• hard and frozen tissue
• possible blistering
• possible mottling

Question 16

Management of Local Cold Emergencies

Answer 16

1) Remove patient from cold environment
2) remove wet clothing
3) protect affected areas from further inury
4) remove any jewelry
5) bandage, splint affected area
6) keep patient immobile
7) do not rub affected area
8) do not apply direct heat unless authorized by medical direction

Question 17

Heat Emergencies

Answer 17

Heat cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heatstroke

Question 18

Heat cramps

Answer 18

Typically occur during prolonged excertion and are likely caused by an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration

Question 19

Heat Exhaustion

Answer 19

A heart related injury due to heat exposure and dehydration

Question 20

HeatStroke

Answer 20

A life threatening heat emergency caused by the body’s loss of ability to regulate body heat

Question 21

Management of Heat Cramps

Answer 21

Rest, rehydration, and restoration of electrolytes