Chapter 30 Flashcards
air embolism
Air bubbles in the blood vessels
ambient temperature
The temperature of the surrounding environment
antivenin
A serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect
bends
Common name for decompression sickness
breath-holding syncope
Loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing stimulus
conduction
The loss of heat by direct contact (eg, when a body part comes into contact with a colder object)
convection
The loss of body heat caused by air movement (eg, breeze blowing across the body)
core temperature
The temperature of the central part of the body (eg, the heart, lungs, and vital organs)
decompression sickness
A painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues; also called “the bends”
diving reflex
Slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water
drowning
The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid
dsybarism injuries
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
evaporation
Conversion of water or another fluid from a liquid to a gas
frostbite
Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts
heat cramps
Painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment
heat exhaustion
A form of heat injury in which the body loses significant amounts of fluid and electrolytes because of heavy sweating; also called heat prostration or heat collapse
heatstroke
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
hymenoptera
A family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants, and yellow jackets
hyperthermia
A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or more
hypothermia
A condition in which the body core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) after exposure to a cold environment
radiation
The transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy, for example heat gain from a fire
respiration
The loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
reverse triage
A triage process in which efforts are focused on those who are in respiratory and cardiac arrest, and different from conventional triage where such patients would be classified as deceased. Used in triaging multiple victims of a lightening strike.
SCUBA
A system that delivers air to the mouth and lungs at various atmospheric pressures, increasing with the depth of a dive; stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus
turgor
The ability of the skin to resist deformation; tested by gently pinching skin on the forehead or back of the hand