Cold Injuries Flashcards
What kills in cold?
What kills in heat?
Wind kills in cold
Humidity kills in heat
What increases the chance of getting hypothermia?
windchill, dampness/wetness
What percentage of body heat is lost through radiation?
65%
What percentage of heat is lost through the head and neck?
50%
What percentage of body heat is lost through evaporation?
20%
When do problems with the cold arise?
When production in heat loss exceeds heat production generated by metabolism
At what temperature does shivering stop?
85-90 F
At what temperature is death imminent?
77-85 F
What stimulates shivering?
A drop in core temperature
How can hypothermia be prevented?
Proper apparel for the weather (layers and adjusting them)
Waterproof/Windproof fabrics that allow movement
How does hydration help prevent hypothermia?
enhance blood volume and heat maintenance
Hypothermia treatment
Prevent further heat loss
Passive external rewarming
Active external rewarming
Active core rewarming
Monitor ABCs
Example of passive external rewarming
move to a hot room
Example of active external rewarming
blankets, hot water bottles
Example of active core rewarming
warm IVs
What’s another name for frostbite?
chilblains
What causes frostbite?
tissue cooling, vasoconstriction, hypersensitivity, extracellular ice formation
thawing causes capillary to leak and tissue edema causes more ischemia
Superficial frostbite
involves skin only
appears hard, pale, cold, and waxy
when rewarming area will feel numb, then sting, then burn
may blister and be painful for several weeks
Deep frostbite
indicated frozen skin requiring hospitalization
rapid rewarming (100-110) necessary
tissue will become blotchy, red, swollen, painful, and may be gangrenous
1st degree frostbite
partial skin freezing
erythemia, edema, no blisters
no necrosis
skin may pool for a week or 2 after
stings, throbs, aches, burns
2nd degree frostbite
erythema, edema, blisters, clear fluid, numbness, vasomotor dysfunction
3rd degree frostbite
full thickness skin freezing, subcutaneous tissue freezing, necrosis, skin discoloration
4th degree frostbite
full thickness skin freezing, subcutaneous tissue freezing, muscle and tendon freezing
What is the only way to cure 4th degree frostbite?
amputation
5 most common places to get frostbite
ears, nose, chin, fingers, toes
Frostbite treatment
rewarm in 104-110 F water bath
ensure no freezing
very painful process (NSAIDs, Narcs may be needed)
tetanus shot
after rewarming, separate digits and splint
possible amputation
