Chapter 32: Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

air embolism

Answer 1

Air bubbles in the blood vessels

Question 2

ambient temperature

Answer 2

The temperature of the surrounding environment

Question 3

antivenin

Answer 3

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

Question 4

bends

Answer 4

common name for decompression sickness

Question 5

breath-holding syncope

Answer 5

loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing 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. 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; also called “the bends”

Question 10

diving reflex

Answer 10

Slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water

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

Conversion of water or another fluid from a liquid to a gas

Question 14

frostbite

Answer 14

damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts

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 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

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

hymenoptera

Answer 18

A family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants, and yellow jackets

Question 19

hyperthermia

Answer 19

A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101 degrees F or more

Question 20

hypothermia

Answer 20

A condition in which the body core temperature falls below 95 degrees F after exposure to a cold environment

Question 21

radiation

Answer 21

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

Question 22

respiration

Answer 22

The loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled

Question 23

reverse triage

Answer 23

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 lightning strike

Question 24

SCUBA

Answer 24

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 25

turgor

Answer 25

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