EAC Extremes of Body Temperature Flashcards
normal body temperature
36.9C
define:
Hypothermia
Abnormally low body temperature
body core temperature is
define:
Heat Exhaustion
body core temperature is 39-40C
Abnormally high body temperature. Caused by excessive sweating combines with an inadequate water intake.
define:
Heat Stroke
body core temperature is 41C or above
If unreplaced water, water contained in the body is eventually lost through sweat and the body starts to dehydrate. when this happens:
- the temperature regulating mechanism in the brain, the hypothalamus, breaks down
- the body continues to produce heat with no means of cooling, in effect it overheats
3 main groups at risk from Hypothermia
The Elderly: especially those who live alone and in poor circumstances, inadequate heating and food
Young Babies: especially premature babies
People Involved in Outdoor Activities: climbers, cavers, sailors etc
3 main types of Hypothermia
Acute: immersion hypothermia. person looses heat rapidly
Sub Acute: exhaustion hypothermia
Chronic: Usually over days or longer
signs and symptoms of:
Hypothermia in adults
Confusion, dysarthria (problem controlling muscles for speech)
Bradycardia, may be undetectable
Ice cold to touch, possible shivering
Pale colour, cyanosis at the extremities with a moribund appearance
Dilated pupils with no reaction to light
Shallow, slow, irregular breathing patterns
Abnormality of vision
Irrational behaviour, loss of reflexes
Stumbling gait, ataxia (affected co-ordination, balance and speech)
Gradual LOC, coma, death
Hypoglycaemia
signs and symptoms of:
Hypothermia in young babies
Baby very quiet, does not cry
Loss of appetite, refuses to eat
Shows no interest in their surroundings
Does not shiver as this reflex is not yet developed
management of:
Hypothermia in adults
DRABCDE
Time critical for: major ABC problems, Haemodynamic compromise, decreased LoC, cardiac arrest
O2 if required
ECG
Temperature measurement
Take pulse over 1 minute due to bradycardia
Consider C-Spine
Wrapping enough to prevent further heat loss using a blanket and moving to a warm environment
Allow the body to recover gradually
Give hot drinks if pt gsc15 and uninjured
Transport to hospital as quickly as possible as a stretcher case
management of:
Hypothermia - DO NOT’s
Strip clothing unless wet Give alcohol Make the patient move Apply external heat or re-heat rapidly Rub the patients skin - vasodilation inc heat loss Wrap in foil blankets
management of:
Hypothermia in young babies
Wrap baby sufficiently to prevent further heat loss
Warm baby gradually
management of:
Immersion Hypothermia
DRABCDE
First ventilate the lungs with 100% O2
ECG if no obvious response or improvement following lung ventilations
Should be considered in all cases of near drowning.
Can mimic the signs of cardiac arrest
commencing ECG in first stage may induce VF
3 main groups at risk from Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
High temperatures at their place of work
Long periods of sunshine
Excessive physical exertion, e.g. soldiers exercising or people who have taken ecstasy
signs and symptoms of:
Heat exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Unconsciousness may start suddenly and deepen
Initially rapid and weak pulse becoming full and bounding
Shallow breathing becoming rapid, noisy and panting
Headaches and dizziness developing into confusion delirium
Muscular cramp and twitching developing into convulsion
Initially pallid colour turning flushed, developing congestion of lips and tongue
Sweating and warm skin, becoming dry and very hot
Temp >39C
Haemoconcentration (blood thickens)
Hypotension
Hyponatraemia or hypernatraemia (sodium levels)
management of:
Heat exhaustion and Heat Stroke
DRABCDE Time critical for: major ABC problems, Haemodynamic compromise, decreased LoC, cardiac arrest O2 if required Move to cool environment Place at rest Give cool drinks in small regular quantities Sponging with luke warm water Temperature measurement
Heat Stroke:
Remove as much clothing as possible
Wrap in wet sheet if available
Fanning the pt vigorously
Place ice cold packs if available under the arms and around the neck
Treating the patient accordingly if unconscious
