Chapter 32 Flashcards
five ways the body can lose heat: … … … … ...
conduction convection evaporation radiation respiration
hypothermia:
Core temperature falls below …°F (..°C)
Body loses the ability to regulate its temperature and generate …
Eventually, key organs such as the heart begin to slow down and mental status deteriorates.
Can lead to death
95; 35; body heat
(hypothermia)
Air temperature does not have to be … for it to occur.
People at risk:
Homeless people and those whose homes lack heating
…
Geriatric, pediatric, and ill individuals
assess temp by placing back of hand on patient’s …
below freezing
swimmers
abdomen
Mild hypothermia
Occurs when the core temperature is between … and .. (32°C and 35°C)
More severe hypothermia
Occurs when the core temperature is less than … (32°C)
Never assume that a cold, pulseless patient is dead.
90°F; 95°F; 90°F
Important factors in determining the severity of a local cold injury: ... of the exposure … to which the body part was exposed Wind … during exposure Underlying factors: Exposure to .. conditions Inadequate … from cold or wind
Duration temperature velocity wet insulation
Underlying factors of local cold injuries (cont’d): Restricted .. from tight clothing or shoes or circulatory disease … Poor … … or ...abuse … … … disease Age
circulation; fatigue nutrition alcohol/drug hypothermia diabetes cardiovascular
…: After prolonged exposure to the cold, skin may freeze while deeper tissues are unaffected.
Usually affects the ears, nose, and fingers
Usually not painful, so the patient often is unaware that a cold injury has occurred
Frostnip
…
Occurs after prolonged exposure to cold water
Common in hikers and hunters
Immersion foot
..: most serious local cold injury because the tissues are actually frozen
… requires surgical removal of dead tissue
frostbite; gangrene
frostbite:
the … of skin damage will vary:
with superficial frostbite, only the … is frozen
with deep frostbite, … are frozen
depth; superficial; deeper tissues
… helps warm the patient from the inside out
for patients in these types of conditions palpate for a carotid pulse for up to … seconds
warmed, humidified oxygen; 60
Transport decision
Complications can include … and …abnormalities.
All patients with hypothermia require immediate transport.
Rough handling of a hypothermic patient may cause a cold, slow, weak heart to ….
cardiac dysrhythmias; blood clotting; fibrillate
for history, find out how long your patient has been …. to the cold environment
exposed
vitals for hypothermia:
respirations may be … and …
… blood pressure and … pulse indicate moderate-severe hypo
slow; shallow; low; slow
rewarming patient can lead to …
cardiac dysrhythmias
general management of cold emergencies:
move patient from cold enviro
remove any …
place dry blankets … and … the patient
if available, give the patient arm, humidified oxygen
do not … the extremities and do not allow the patient to … or use any stimulants
wet clothing; over; under; massage; eat
Mild hypothermia
Patient is alert, shivering, and responds appropriately
Place the patient in a warm environment and remove wet clothing.
Apply heat packs or hot water bottles to the …, .., and …regions.
Give … by mouth.
groin; axillary; cervical
warm fluids
Moderate or severe hypothermia
Do not try to actively rewarm the patient.
The goal is to …
Remove the patient from the cold environment.
Remove wet clothing, cover with a blanket, and transport.
prevent further heat loss.
If transport will be delayed, consider active rewarming.
With frostnip, …may be all that is needed.
With immersion foot, remove wet shoes, boots, and socks, and rewarm the foot ….
Do not reexpose the injury to cold.
Never rub or massage injured tissues.
contact with a warm object; gradually
Rewarming in the field
Immerse the frostbitten part in water between …°F and …°F.
Dress the area with dry, sterile dressings.
If blisters have formed, do not break them.
Never attempt rewarming if there is any chance that the part may freeze again.
102; 104
Hyperthermia is a core temperature of …°F (…°C) or higher.
Risk factors of heat illness include:
High air temperature (reduces radiation)
High … (reduces evaporation)
Lack of … to the heat
Vigorous exercise (loss of fluid and electrolytes)
101; 38.3
humidity
acclimation
Persons at greatest risk for heat illnesses:
Children (especially newborns and infants)
Geriatric patients
Patients with …, …, …, …, and …
Patients with …
heart disease; COPD; diabetes; dehydration; obesity; limited mobility
….: Painful muscle spasms that occur after vigorous exercise
Do not occur only when it is hot outdoors
Exact cause is not well understood
Usually occur in the leg or abdominal muscles
heat cramps
…: most common illness caused by heat
heat exhaustion