Environmental Flashcards
Define Hypothermia
core temperature < 95°F
Define conduction heat loss
Transfer of heat by direct contact: Water immersion
Define convection heat loss
Transfer of heat by movement of heated material: wind disrupting heat around body
Define radiation heat loss
uses electromagnetic transmission
Define Evaporation heat loss
Conversion of liquid to vapor – usually accounts for 10-15% of body heat loss
At what temperature does shivering stop?
90°F (32.2°C)
At what temperature do you see increased arrhythmias? EKG changes?
86°F (30°C)
Osborn J wave
At what temperature should you withhold cardiac medications and defibrillation
> 82.4°F (>28°C)
Hypothermia treatment
- Warmed oxygen and IV fluids
- Active external rewarming
- Gently circulating water* (104-107.6 °F, 40-42°C)
- Active core rewarming
What is the triad of sx’s in heat stroke?
- Hyperthermia (> 105°F)
- CNS dysfunction
- Anhydrosis (no sweating)
List the vespids
- Yellow Jackets
- Hornets
- Wasps
List the Apids
Honey
Bumblebees
What is the MCC of allergic reaction secondary to insect stings
Yellow Jacket= Hymenoptera Sting
What is the MCC of death from envenomation
Upper airway obstruction
Hymenoptera Sting Treatment
- Remove stinger
- Apply ice pack and elevate extremity
- Antihistamines – Benadryl
- Epinephrine
- Steroids
- Beta agonists
Where are brown recluse spiders MC?
Midwestern and southern US
Brown recluse appearance
Light brown to tan in color with dark violin-shaped mark on dorsal cephalothorax
What is the most active enzyme in the brown recluse?
Sphingomyelinase D
Skin Appearance from brown recluse bite
Mildly erythematous lesion–>Firm and Dry–>Bluish blister–>Necrosis
Brown recluse bite treatment
Supportive
No antivenin available
Surgery once clearly demarcated
Another name for brown recluse?
Loxosceles
Another name for black widow spider
Latrodectus
Where are black widow spiders MC?
North America
Black widow appearance
Shiny black with red hourglass on abdomen
What is the venom/toxin the Black widow spider releases?
Alpha-latrotoxin
What it the hallmark clinical presentation with a black widow spider bite?
Muscular cramping
- Abdomen!
- Chest
- Back
Complications of a black widow spider bite?
1 .Shock
- Respiratory Failure
- Coma
Black widow spider bite treatment
- Narcotics
- Benzodiazepines (Valium)
- Antivenin
- Ca Gluconate 10%