COLD WEATHER Flashcards
How long does it take flesh to freeze?
30 min
What are the types of normal warming defenses?
Behavioral temperature regulation
Physiological temperature regulation
What are some types of physiological temperature regulation?
Heat conservation (vasoconstriction) Heat production
What are some types of heat production?
Shivering
Metabolism
Exercise
What is paradoxical undressing?
Vasoconstriction ceases and warm blood flows back through the body and creates a feeling of being hot
What are the types of cold weather injuries?
Hypothermia
Freezing cold injuries
Non-freezing cold injuries
What are the freezing cold injuries?
Frost bite
Frost nip
What are the non-freezing cold injuries?
Trench foot (immersion foot) Chilblain (pernio)
The condition of having a sub-normal body temperature (<95*F)?
Hypothermia
Are freezing temperatures necessary to cause hypothermia?
No
What is the key to treating frostbite?
Treat the hypothermia FIRST
What is the most accurate body temp location?
Rectal
What is the range of a subnormal thermometer?
77-104*
What is the body temperature of hypothermia?
<95*F
Treatment for hypothermia?
Remove wet clothes
Maintain horizontal position
Fluids
What can happen if you don’t handle a hypothermia patient gently?
Dysrhythmias
What kind of fluids should you give to a hypothermic patient?
Sweet fluids orally if awake
Warm 5% dextrose in NS IV
What is the core temp of mild hypothermia?
95-90*F
Presentation of mild hypothermia?
Shivering
Apathy or Moodiness
Stumbling
What is the core temp of moderate hypothermia?
90-81*F
Presentation of moderate hypothermia?
Loss of shivering reflex
Cardiac arrhythmias
Paradoxical undressing
What is the core temp of severe hypothermia?
<81*F
Presentation of severe hypothermia?
Neurologic abnormalities
Significant hypotension
Absent neurologic reflexes
Should you give O2 to hypothermic patients?
Only if heated > 99*F
Should you give a hypothermic patient meds?
Only if temp is above 86*F
What are the types of rewarming?
Passive external
Active external
Core
What are some passive external re-warming techniques?
Cover w/dry insulating materials
Block wind
Keep dry
What are some active external re-warming techniques?
Heat packs or hot water bottles to neck, axilla & groin
Immerse in warm bath
Should you rub or massage cold extremities to re-warm?
NO
Examples of core re-warming?
Heated O2 (104-113F)
Heated IV solutions (104-107.6F)
Lavage w/warm fluids
What is another name for first degree frostbite?
Frost nip
S&S of frostnip?
No tissue loss
Numbness
White & Frozen
Does first degree frostbite present w/blisters?
NO
S&S of second degree frostbite (superficial)?
Superficial blisters
Erythema & edema around blisters
S&S of third degree frostbite (deep)?
Extends into muscle & beyond
Hemorrhagic blisters
When should you not thaw a frost bite injury?
If there is a chance of refreezing
Feet if they must walk
Should you re-warm an injury over an open flame?
NO
Should you rub snow on the injury?
NO
Care of a frostbite injury?
Re-warm 15-20min
Aloe q6h
Debride white blisters
Elevate
What is the most common error in frostbite management?
Debriding too early
How long should you wait to debride mummified tissue?
4-8 weeks
What temperatures do non-freezing cold injuries occur at?
32-50F
What is another name for chilblains?
Pernio
Should you break blisters, apply lotions, massage, expose to heat or allow to walk on injury for trench foot?
NO
Treatment for trench foot?
Re-warm w/body heat
Clean & wrap loosely
Elevate
What is another name for trench foot?
Immersion foot
T or F. one does not acclimatize to the cold, but rather accommodates or habituates?
TRUE
