Cold Injures

Question 1

When do body parts freeze?

Answer 1

When not enough heat is available to counteract cold

Question 2

When does shivering stop?

Answer 2

When body temp is 85-90 degrees

Question 3

What is the first sign of dangerous cold exposure?

Answer 3

When shivering stops

Question 4

When will death from cold occur?

Answer 4

When core body temp is between 77-85 degrees

Question 5

What does WCT stand for

Answer 5

Wind chill

Question 6

What factors influence cold injures

Answer 6

Wind chill
Insulation
Exposed skin
Pervious cold injures
Dehydration 
Constructing garments
Body type and amount of body fat
Caloric/ alcohol/ caffeine intake
Moisture-wet skin freezes at higher rate then dry skin

Question 7

What are the 3 classifications of cold injures

Answer 7

Decreased core temp ( hypothermia)
Freezing injures of extremities
Non-freezing injures of extremities

Question 8

What are the two most dangerous injures from cold temp

Answer 8

Frostbite

Hypothermia

Question 9

What does frost Nip consist of

Answer 9

Mildest form of cold injury to skin
Prior to frostbite
Superficial, no permanent damage
High wind and /or severe cold
Apply firm pressure But do not rub

Question 10

What parts of the body does frost nip involve

Answer 10

Ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes

Question 11

What does the skin look like from frost nip

Answer 11

Skin is very firm, white, waxy with cold painless areas that may peel or blister within 24-72 hours, top layer will feel rubbery and numb

Question 12

What does chilblains consist of

Answer 12

Prolonged, constant and repeated exposure to cold

Inflammatory response to cold exposure

Question 13

What does the skin look like from chilblains

Answer 13

Skin redness, tingling, may swell, itch, PAIN, peripheral circulation will be affected

Question 14

When does chilblains occur

Answer 14

When footwear or clothing remains wet for long periods due to water exposure or sweat

Question 15

Why does sweating make frostbite worse

Answer 15

B/c it increase tissue cooling

Question 16

What does superficial frostbite involve

Answer 16

Only skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Question 17

What does superficial frostbite look like

Answer 17

Skin hard, leathery, pale, cold/numb, may blister after rewarming

Question 18

What happens during re-warming of superficial frostbite

Answer 18

Area will feel numb first and then sting and burn

Question 19

What does deep frostbite consist of

Answer 19

Medical emergency due to tissue swelling

Question 20

What does deep frostbite look like

Answer 20

Tissue blotchy, red, swollen, extremely painful, may be gangrenous

Question 21

What’s the tx for deep frostbite

Answer 21

Immersion in water bath of 105-110 degrees

Do not use dry heat to rewarm b/c further tissue damage will occur

Area must be protected from movement and cold temp to begin healing

Question 22

What is 1st degree of frostbite

Answer 22

Irritates the skin

Question 23

What’s does 2nd degree of frostbite consist of

Answer 23

Blisters but has no major damage

Question 24

What does 3rd degree frostbite consist of

Answer 24

Involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage

Question 25

What does IV stand for

Answer 25

Intravenous fluids

Question 26

What is hypothermia

Answer 26

Respond to cold exposure that includes a significant drop in core body temp below 95 degrees

Question 27

How does hypothermia occur

Answer 27

Prolonged exposure to cold, wet or windy conditions (cold/dry, cold/wet)

Question 28

What are the 3 levels of hypothermia

Answer 28

Mild, moderate, severe

Question 29

Body loses heat faster than?

Answer 29

It generates heat

Question 30

What are the symptoms of hypothermia

Answer 30

Shivering- increases with exposure and can become violent and then stops

Cold sensation, goose bumps, numbness

Muscle stiffness, mental confusion, sluggish, slurred speech

Unconsciousness

Question 31

What’s the TX for hypothermia

Answer 31

Get to warm, dry place

Add clothing & blankets

External heat sources but not water related

Can use a warm IV

Hot liquids/ food

Question 32

What are the ways to prevent cold injures

Answer 32

Layered clothing (at least 3 layers)
Cover your head
Stay dry
Cover your mouth
Keep feet dry
Stay hydrated

Question 33

Are fluids as important in cold weather as it is in hot weather?

Answer 33

Yes

Question 34

What does the internal layer consist of

Answer 34

Direct contact w/ skin and should wick away sweat

Question 35

What does the middle layer consist of

Answer 35

Primary insulation; wool or fleece

Question 36

What does the outer layer consist of

Answer 36

Venting abilities; mesh, zippers

Question 37

What’s the percent of total heat loss if your head is exposed to cold

Answer 37

50%

Question 38

What should you avoid in a cold environment

Answer 38

Alcohol because it dilates blood vessels and impairs judgement

Question 39

What’s the difference between cold and heat acclimatization

Answer 39

Cold is more difficult to acquire

Cold varies from person to person

Cold develops more slowly

Has less preventive effect

Question 40

What the definition of a cold injury

Answer 40

When exposed to cold, body attempts to increase interval heat production by increasing muscular activity (shivering) and by increasing metabolic rate which food is stored in the body is burned