Climate Trauma

Question 1

Temperature-Introduction

1) Basic measurements
2) Temperature control:
- production (3)
- absorption (1)
- expulsion (4)

Answer 1

Homeostasis-the body maintains a stable temperature. (Adult-37.5, Baby-38, 38.5 (not terrible))

The body controls heat in 3 ways:

1) Production
- metabolism
- blood vessel movement
- muscle movement
2) Absorption
- environment
3) Expulsion
- radiation
- ventilation
- evaporation (sweat)
- transportation (heat>cold)

Question 2

Types of climate traumas (4)

Answer 2

Heat: 40+
(Cell structure change-Short term)
-Dehydration
-Heat Exhaustion
-Heat Stroke

Cold: 35-
(Decline in metabolism speed-Long term)
-Hypothermia

Question 3

Dehydration-Signs and Dangers

Signs
-Minor (4)
-Serious (3)
Dangers (2)

Answer 3

Definition: loss of fluids in body. (Sweat, vomit, diarrhoea)

Signs (minor):

• thirsty, dry mouth
• dizziness, headache, nausea
• irritated
• tachycardia, tachypnea

Signs (serious):

• very weak, motor difficulties
• bradypnea
• low level of consciousness (hallucinations, hearing disturbances)

Dangers:

• Cardiac arrhythmia (potassium deficiency)
• Hypovolemic shock

Question 4

Heat Exhaustion-Signs (3)

Answer 4

Definition: weakness as a result of heat (early stage of heat stroke). It’s symptoms and treatment are almost identical to dehydration.

Signs:

• Diarrhoea
• Muscle spasm
• Syncope

Question 5

Heat Trauma-Treatment (2)

Answer 5

1) Place patient in cool, shaded place (ambulance is great)
2) Drink water (IV if can’t drink)
* In case of seizures (heat stroke) treat like febrile seizures.

Question 6

Heat Stroke-Signs (6)

Answer 6

Definition: brain damage from overheated body. (Hypothalamus disfunction, high temperature/humidity)

Signs:

• temperature >40.5
• hot, dry skin
• tachycardia then bradycardia
• low BP (loss of fluids)
• seizures
• decrease in consciousness
• Differential diagnosis through case details.

Question 7

Hypothermia

• Causes (3)
• Types (2)

Answer 7

Causes:

• environment
• problems with thermal homeostasis (illness, elders and infants, alcohol)
• mix of both

Types:

• mild (32-35)
• serious (28-32)

Question 8

Hypothermia-Signs

Mild (4)
Severe (4)

Answer 8

Signs-Mild:

• shivers
• tachycardia, tachypnea
• vasoconstriction
• apathetic, confused speech (neurological)

Signs-Severe:

• shivers stop (lack of energy)
• bradypnea
• cardiac arrhythmia
• loss of consciousness

Question 9

Hypothermia-Treatment (3)

Answer 9

1) fresh, dry clothes and thermal blanket
2) turn on heating in ambulance-rub body to warm up
3) warm up IV (if possible to find vein)
* In case of CPR put in ambulance and resume until heat rises.