Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

What are the four mechanisms heat is dissipated or lost by?

Answer 1

1. Conduction
2. Convection
3. Radiation
4. Evaporation

Question 2

Define conduction

Answer 2

When heat is transferred from the patient to objects and surfaces that come into contact with the body.

Example: lying on a cold floor

Question 3

Define convection

Answer 3

When there is loss of heat into the air.

Example: circulating air (fan) blowing on you.

Think of air CONditioning (CONvection).

Question 4

Define radiation (heat loss)

Answer 4

Heat dissipation into objects that do not come into direct contact with the patient.

Example:

Question 5

Define evaporation

Answer 5

Involves heat dissipating through the surface of moist environments.

Example:

Question 6

What is the primary method of heat dissipation in an unanesthetized and mobile patient?

Answer 6

Panting

Question 7

What is primary hypothermia?

Answer 7

Heat loss in the face of normal heat production and encompasses the environmental exposure category.

Question 8

What is secondary heat loss?

Answer 8

Hypothermia occurs as a result of a disease process, drug administration, or injury causing altered heat production or loss.

Question 9

What are negative prognostic indicators of heat stroke?

Answer 9

1. Refractory hypoglycemia
2. Coma
3. Hypothermia on presentation
4. Acute renal failure
5. Evidence of DIC
6. Refractory hypotension
7. Development of ARDS