Chapter 33- Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

signs of mild hypothermia

Answer 1

The patient is usually alert and shivering in an attempt to generate heat through muscular activity.
Pulse rate and respirations are usually rapid.
The skin in light-skinned people can be red, but may eventually appear pale, then cyanotic.
People in a cold environment may have blue lips or fingertips because of the body’s constriction of blood vessels at the skin to retain heat.

Question 2

signs of moderate hypothermia

Answer 2

At first, small, fine muscle activity such as coordinated finger motion ceases.
Eventually, all muscle activity stops and mental status deteriorates.

Question 3

signs of severe hypothermia

Answer 3

Shivering stops and muscular activity decreases.
At first, small, fine muscle activity such as coordinated finger motion ceases. Eventually, as the temperature falls further, all muscle activity stops and mental status deteriorates.

Question 4

pts at greatest risk with heat exposure

Answer 4

Children
Geriatric patients
Patients with heart disease, COPD, diabetes, dehydration, and obesity
Those with limited mobility

Question 5

signs of an air embolism

Answer 5

Blotching (mottling of the skin)
Froth (often pink or bloody) at the nose and mouth
Severe pain in muscles, joints, or abdomen
Dyspnea and/or chest pain
Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
Dysphasia (difficulty speaking)
Cough
Cyanosis
Difficulty with vision
Paralysis and/or coma
Irregular pulse and cardiac arrest

Question 6

signs of acute mountain sickness

Answer 6

Headache
Light-headedness
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Difficulty sleeping
Shortness of breath during physical exertion
Swollen face

Question 7

signs of high altitude pulmonary edema

Answer 7

Shortness of breath
Cough with pink sputum
Cyanosis
Rapid pulse

Question 8

signs of high altitude cerebral edema

Answer 8

severe, constant, throbbing headache
Ataxia- lack of muscle coordination and balance
Extreme fatigue
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness

Question 9

symptoms of a black widow spider bite

Answer 9

Area may become numb
Muscle spasms
Dizziness
Sweating
Nausea
Vomiting
Rashes
Tightness in chest
Difficulty breathing
Severe cramps
Board-like rigidity in muscles

Question 10

symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite

Answer 10

Not painful at first but does within hours
Area becomes swollen and tender
Develops a pale, mottled, cyanotic center and possibly a small blister

Question 11

signs of a pit viper bite

Answer 11

Severe burning at site
Swelling and blue discoloration at site
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Sweating
Seizures
Fainting
Vision problems
Changes in level of consciousness
Shock

Question 12

treatment for snake bite

Answer 12

Place pt in supine position and tell them to stay still
Locate the bite area; clean it gently with soap and water or a mild antiseptic. Do not apply ice to the area.
If the bite occurred on an arm or leg, consider the use of a pressure immobilization bandage of the extremity (eg, 40 to 70 mm Hg in the arms and 55 to 70 mm Hg in the legs) and place the affected extremity below the level of the heart.

Question 13

signs of scorpion stings

Answer 13

Circulatory collapse
Severe muscle contractions
Excessive salivation
Hypertension
Convulsions
Cardiac failure

Question 14

signs of rocky mountain spotted fever

Answer 14

Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Weakness
Paralysis
Possible cardiorespiratory collapse

Question 15

signs of lyme disease

Answer 15

The first symptoms are generally fever and flu like symptoms, sometimes associated with a bull’s-eye rash that may spread to several parts of the body.
After a few days or weeks, painful swelling of the joints, particularly the knees, occurs.