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NREMT® Paramedic > EMT-P (3) Trauma > Environmental Emergencies > Flashcards

Environmental Emergencies Flashcards

Learn the different interventions and causes of Environmental Emergencies

1
Q

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

A

It controls and monitors the body’s temperature.

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2
Q

Define:

thermoregulation

A

The body’s ability to maintain a set temperature.

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3
Q

What is a typical BMR?

Basal Metabolic Rate

A

70 kilocalories/hr

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4
Q

Define:

evaporation

A

Conversion from liquid to gas.

E.g. sweating

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5
Q

Define:

convection

A

Transfer of energy by moving air over a liquid.

E.g. wind chill across the body

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6
Q

Define:

conduction

A

Direct physical contact transfers energy from one to the other.

E.g. jumping into a cold lake

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7
Q

Define:

radiation

A

Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Heat loss through the head.

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8
Q

Define:

thermolysis

A

Refers to the body’s process of releasing stored heat.

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9
Q

Define:

thermogenesis

A

The body’s ability to produce heat and energy.

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10
Q

How do certain medications alter the body’s ability to maintain proper thermoregulation?

A
  • Diuretics causes dehydration.
  • Beta blockers limit compensation of cardiovascular systems.
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11
Q

Define:

heat cramps

A

acute muscle spasms

It occurs from profuse sweating and sodium loss.

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12
Q

Assessment:

heat cramps

A
  • Hypotension
  • Nausea
  • Rapid pulse
  • Pale and moist skin
  • Normal temperature
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13
Q

Treatment:

heat cramps

A
  • Move to a cool environment.
  • Fluid replenishment
  • IV normal saline
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14
Q

Define:

heat exhaustion

A

Heat stress and volume depletion.

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15
Q

Assessment:

heat exhaustion

A
  • Temperature of < 104 °F
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Cramping
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16
Q

Treatment:

heat exhaustion

A
  • Passive Cooling
  • Fluids
  • Supine with legs elevated
  • Oral hydration
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17
Q

Define:

heat stroke

A
  • core body temp of > 104°F
  • altered mental status
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18
Q

Assessment:

heat stroke

A
  • CBT of > 104°F
  • Altered mental status
  • Dry and flushed skin
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypotension or normotensive
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19
Q

Treatment:

heat stroke

A
  • Remove the patient from the offending environment.
  • Strip the patient’s clothing.
  • Cover the patient in ice water.
  • Fan the patient.
  • Administer fluid resuscitation.
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20
Q

Define:

frostbite

A

Ischemic injury to tissues due to exposures to extremely cold temperatures.

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21
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of superficial frostbite?

A
  • Altered sensation
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Burning
  • White/waxy
22
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of deep frostbite?

A
  • hard skin and tissues
  • skin color: yellow, mottled blue, white
  • loss of sensation
23
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of Gangrene?

A

skin color: black or mottled black

It causes permanent damage.

24
Q

Treatment:

frostbite

A
  • Get the patient out of the cold.
  • Remove wet clothing.
  • Do not rub or massage the affected area.
  • Cover with a dry, sterile dressing.
  • Administer pain management.
  • Consider rewarming the area if there’s no risk of refreezing.
25
Q

Define:

Trench Foot

A

Extended exposure to wet and cold environments.

26
Q

Define:

hypothermia

A

core body temperature of < 35°C

27
Q

Define:

mild hypothermia

A

core body temperature of 34-36°C

28
Q

Treatment:

mild hypothermia

A

passive rewarming

29
Q

Define:

moderate hypothermia

A

core body temperature of 30-34 °C

30
Q

Define:

severe hypothermia

A

core body temperature of < 30°C

31
Q

Treatment:

severe hypothermia

A
  • Administer warm IV fluids.
  • Provide warm, humidified oxygen.
  • Perform warm cavity lavage.
  • Implement passive or active rewarming techniques.
32
Q

How is hypothermia classified based on body temperature in degrees Celsius?

A
  • Mild: 34-36 °C
  • Moderate: 30-34 °C
  • Severe: < 30 °C
33
Q

Fill in the blank.

Every 33 feet below sea level is ___ atmosphere(s).

A

1

34
Q

What are the associated considerations in a freshwater drowning?

A

Bacteria and infection from the water.

35
Q

What are the associated considerations in a saltwater drowning?

A

Salt causes fluid shift in the lungs.

36
Q

What is barotrauma, and how does it occur?

A

An injury caused by ascending too quickly to the surface which causes the lung tissue to expand too quickly.

It can cause pneumothorax.

37
Q

Define:

decompression sickness

A

Nitrogen within the blood is forced into the tissues of the body.

38
Q

Treatment:

decompression sickness

A

hyperbaric chamber

39
Q

Define:

altitude illness

A

The effects of altitude on the body due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure.

40
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of acute mountain illness?

A

Headache associated with fatigue, weakness, GI symptoms, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping.

41
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of high-altitude pulmonary edema?

A

At least two of the following:

  • Dyspnea
  • Cough
  • Weakness
  • Chest tightness
  • Wheezing
  • Rales
  • Tachypnea
42
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of High Altitude Cerebral Edema?

HACE

A

altered mental status or mental changes

43
Q

Define:

The Lichtenburg Figure

A

Lightning strands burned into the skin.

44
Q

What type of snakes are crotalids?

A

pit vipers

E.g. Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths (venomous snakes)

45
Q

What type of snakes are elapids?

A

coral snakes

46
Q

What are the characteristics of a venomous and non-venomous snake?

A

Venomous:

  • Vertical pupils
  • Two fangs
  • Pit between the eye

Non-venomous:

  • Round pupils
  • Double row of teeth
47
Q

Treatment:

venom

A
  • Clean the wound with antimicrobials.
  • Draw blood from the affected area.
  • Immobilize the extremity.
  • Remove jewelry.
  • Administer CroFab (antivenom).
48
Q

Assessment:

Brown Recluse vs. Black Widow bite

A

Brown Recluse:

  • Bites are painless
  • Sloughing of skin
  • Necrotic lesion
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Fever

Black Widow:

  • Instant pain
  • Local muscle spasm
  • Abdominal spasms
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Respiratory difficulty
49
Q

Treatment:

stingray injury

A

Soak the affected area in hot (not scalding) fresh/salt water.

50
Q

Treatment:

jellyfish sting

A

Rinse the affected area with saltwater.

If the fluid is hypotonic, the vesicle can swell and potentially burst, releasing more toxin.

51
Q

What insect can cause Lyme Disease from its bite?

A

tick

52
Q

How do you properly remove a tick?

A
  • Use curved forceps.
  • Grasp the tick by its head, as close to the skin as possible.
  • Pull straight up with steady pressure.
  • Dispose of the tick in a container of alcohol.

EMT-P (3) Trauma (10 decks)

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