Environmental Emergencies Flashcards
Define
Homeostasis
all body systems operate in
balance
Name 5 ways the body loses heat
- Conduction
- Convection
- Evaporation
- Radiation
- Respiration
What are the 4 stages of hypothermia?
Treatment for cold exposure
Factors Affecting Exposure
- Physical condition
- age
- nutrition and hydration
- enviromental conditions
Define
Heat exposure
sweating & dialation of blood vessels
Signs & Symptoms
Heat Exhaustion
- Heavy sweating
- weakness or syncope
- rapid weak pulse
- muscle cramps
Signs & Symptoms
Heatstroke
- No sweating
- throbbing headache
- hot, red, dry skin
- rapid strong pulse
- may lose consciousness
Treatment
Heat cramps
Treatment
Heat exhaustion
Treatment
Heatstroke
Define
Conduction
transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object or substance by direct contact
such as when a warm hand touches cold metal or ice
Define
Convection
The loss of body heat caused by air movement
such as when cool air moves across the body surface
Define
Evaporation
conversion of any liquid to a gas
Evaporation is the natural mechanism by which sweating cools the body
Define
Radiation
Radiation causes
heat loss, such as when a person stands in a cold room. Heat
can also be gained by radiation—for example, when a person
stands by a fire.
Define
Respiration
body heat loss as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
When the core temperature of the body falls below ____ the patient enters hypothermia
95 degrees
Define
Air Embolism
The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.
Define
Antivenin
A serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect
Define
Breath-Holding Syncope
Loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing stimulus.
Define
Decompression sickness
A painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues
Define
Diving reflex
The slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water.
Define
Dysbarism injuries
Any signs and symptoms caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in various tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body.
Define
Frostbite
Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten.
Define
Heat cramps
Painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment.
Define
Heat Exhaustion
A heat emergency in which a significant amount of fluid and electrolyte loss occurs because of heavy sweating; also called heat prostration or heat collapse
Define
Heatstroke
A life-threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by warm, dry skin; severely altered mental status; and often irreversible coma.
Define
Hyperthermia
A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101°F (38.3°C) or more.
Define
Hypothermia
A condition in which the body core temperature falls
below 95°F (35°C).
Define
Radiation
The transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy; for example, heat gain from a fire.
Define
Turgor
The ability of the skin to resist deformation; tested by gently pinching skin on the forehead or back of the hand
Heat exhaustion can lead to what kind of shock?
hypovolemic shock caused by dehydration
Symptoms include cold and clammy
skin, weakness, confusion, headache, and rapid pulse. Body temperature can be high, and the patient may or may not still be sweating.
True or false
Patients who have heatstroke due to exertion may have wet skin
True
How do you rewarm frostbitten parts?
by immersing them in water at a temperature between
100°F and 112°F
