Chapter 33 - [additional] Environmental Emergencies Flashcards
A person’s ability to shiver is lost when his or her body temperature falls below:
Select one:
A.
95°F (35°C).
B.
90°F (32°C).
C.
94°F (34°C).
D.
92°F (33°C).
B.
90°F (32°C).
The two most efficient ways for the body to eliminate excess heat are:
Select one:
A.
respiration and bradycardia.
B.
sweating and vasodilation.
C.
perspiration and tachycardia.
D.
hyperventilation and tachycardia.
B.
sweating and vasodilation.
A frostbitten foot can be identified by the presence of:
Select one:
A.
gross deformity.
B.
blanching of the skin.
C.
soft, smooth skin.
D.
mottling and blisters.
D.
mottling and blisters.
You respond to a local lake where a diver complains of difficulty breathing that occurred immediately after rapidly ascending from a depth of approximately 30 feet. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis around his lips and pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should:
Select one:
A.
suction his mouth and nose, keep him supine and elevate his legs to prevent air bubbles from entering his brain, administer high-flow oxygen, and transport to a hyperbaric chamber.
B.
position him supine with his head elevated 30°, suction his mouth and nose, hyperventilate him with a bag-valve mask, and contact medical control for further guidance.
C.
place him in a semi-sitting position, suction his mouth and nose, apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, and transport to the closest emergency department.
D.
suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, monitor the patient’s breath sounds for a pneumothorax, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility.
D.
suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, monitor the patient’s breath sounds for a pneumothorax, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility.
Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4°F (34°C). She is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. You should:
Select one:
A.
cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher to generate body heat and increase her temperature.
B.
place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling.
C.
sit her up and give her small sips of warm water to drink, place heat packs to her axillae and groin, and cover her with blankets.
D.
apply the automated external defibrillator in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest, cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully.
B.
place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling.
Heat loss from the body through respiration occurs when:
Select one:
A.
warm air is exhaled into the atmosphere.
B.
the core body temperature is greater than 98°F (37°C).
C.
air temperature is greater than body temperature.
D.
cool air is inhaled and displaces warm air.
A.
warm air is exhaled into the atmosphere.
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below:
Select one:
A.
95°F (35°C).
B.
90°F (32°C).
C.
88°F (31°C).
D.
98°F (37°C)
A.
95°F (35°C).
Hypothermia can worsen internal bleeding secondary to:
Select one:
A.
cardiac arrhythmias.
B.
blood-clotting abnormalities.
C.
severe muscular rigidity.
D.
a decreased heart rate.
B.
blood-clotting abnormalities.
Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include all of the following, except:
Select one:
A.
dizziness.
B.
joint pain.
C.
dysphasia.
D.
pale skin
D.
pale skin
The diving reflex might allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to:
Select one:
A.
tachycardia and a lowering of the blood pressure.
B.
increases in the metabolic rate and oxygen demand.
C.
laryngospasm that protects the lungs from water.
D.
bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate.
D.
bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate.
When a person is exposed to cold temperatures and strong winds for an extended period of time, he or she will lose heat mostly by:
A. radiation.
B. convection.
C. conduction.
D. evaporation.
B. convection.
Shivering in the presence of hypothermia indicates that the:
A. musculoskeletal system is damaged.
B. nerve endings are damaged, causing loss of muscle control.
C. body is trying to generate more heat through muscular activity.
D. thermoregulatory system has failed and body temperature is falling.
C. body is trying to generate more heat through muscular activity.
All of the following are examples of passive rewarming techniques, EXCEPT:
A. removing cold, wet clothing.
B. administering warm fluids by mouth.
C. turning up the heat inside the ambulance.
D. covering the patient with warm blankets.
B. administering warm fluids by mouth.
A woman has frostbite in both feet after walking several miles in a frozen field. Her feet are white, hard, and cold to the touch. Treatment at the scene should include:
A. rubbing her feet gently with your own warm hands.
B. trying to restore circulation by helping her to walk around.
C. removing her wet clothing and rubbing her feet briskly with a warm, wet cloth.
D. removing her wet clothing and covering her feet with dry, sterile dressings.
D. removing her wet clothing and covering her feet with dry, sterile dressings.
A 30-year-old male, who has been playing softball all day in a hot environment, complains of weakness and nausea shortly after experiencing a syncopal episode. Appropriate treatment for this patient includes all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. giving a salt-containing solution by mouth.
B. moving him to a cooler environment at once.
C. administering oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
D. placing him in a supine position and elevating his legs.
A. giving a salt-containing solution by mouth.
