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Paramedic 2 > Environmental Emergencies and Trauma > Flashcards

Environmental Emergencies and Trauma Flashcards

0
Q

Although environmental emergencies can affect anyone, what are some predisposing risk factors for environmental trauma and emergencies?

A

Age - Especially the very young and very old do not tolerate environmental extremes very well

Poor general health

Fatigue

Predisposing medical conditions

Medications - both prescription and over the counter (Beta blockers and diuretics in particular)

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1
Q

What age groups are particularly vulnerable to environmental extremes?

A

Very young and the very old

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2
Q

Define environmental emergency

A

Medical condition caused or exacerbated by environmental factors

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3
Q

Define homeostasis

A

Process of maintaining constant suitable conditions within the body

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4
Q

Define thermogenesis

A

the body creating heat

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5
Q

Define thermolysis

A

The body losing heat

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6
Q

Define conduction

A

transfer of temperature from one source to another through direct contact

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7
Q

Define convection

A

Temperature carried away by currents of air or water

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8
Q

Define radiation

A

In the absence of convection and conduction, the body naturally radiates its temperature outward

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9
Q

Define evaporation

A

Perspiration evaporating from the body which causes a cooling effect

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10
Q

Define respiration and how it relates with environmental emergencies

A

Body breaths air out and replaces it with the ambient temperature air around it

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11
Q

What is the normal range for body temperature?

A

96 to 100 degrees

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12
Q

What is a mild hypothermia temperature for the body?

A

90 to 95 degrees

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13
Q

What is considered severe hypothermia for the body temperature?

A

below 90 degrees

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14
Q

How does the body combat heat loss?

A

Shivering

Sweat reduction

Reduction of circulation to the skin

Increases metabolism

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15
Q

Define hypothermia

A

state of low body temperature, in particular low core temperature

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16
Q

How does alcohol affect the body in relation to environmental emergencies

A

Vasodilates

People tend to feel warm while intoxicated and therefore wear less clothing

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17
Q

What body temp is considered mild heat exhaustion?

A

over 100 degrees

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18
Q

What body temperature is considered heat stroke and high fever?

A

105 degrees and up

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19
Q

What is the temperature at the upper limit of survival for the body?

A

114 degrees

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20
Q

What is considered the lower limit survival temperature for the body?

A

66 degrees

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21
Q

Core body temperature is best assessed where in/on the body?

A

Axially or rectally

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22
Q

Define negative feedback

A

Homeostatic mechanism in which a change in variable will ultimately lead to an inhibition of the process that caused the shift.

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23
Q

What are some signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia?

A

Increased pulse and respires

vasoconstriction

Fatigue

Mental status degradation

Shivering

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24
What cardiac arrhythmia is common in hypothermia?
Atrial Fibrillation
25
What treatments can we give for a hypothermic patient with atrial fibrillation?
Cardizem Possibly cardioversion
26
What are some signs and symptoms of moderate hypothermia
Cardiac arrhythmias Decreased pulse and respires hypotension Shivering will cease continued altered mental status
27
What are some signs and symptoms that are associated with severe hypothermia
unresponsive cardiac arrest
28
What are Osborne waves?
Also known as "J Waves" Appears similar to ST elevation Most commonly seen in hypothermic patients Most commonly seen in leads II and V6
29
All victims of hypothermia should receive what kinds of treatments?
Remove wet garments Protect from further heat loss and wind chill, apply passive rewarming such as blankets, insulating materials, and moisture barriers Maintaining patient in a horizontal position Avoid rough handling that may cause an arrhythmia Monitor core temperature Monitor cardiac rhythm
30
Active rewarming may be used in what type of hypothermic patient and should be avoided in what kind of hypothermic patient?
Mild hypothermia patients may receive active rewarming (warm blankets, heat packs around the axilla, base of the neck, and groin. Remember to insulate heat packs to avoid burning the patient) Severe hypothermia patients are best actively rewarmed in a hospital environment.
31
What kind of hypothermic patients may receive warm liquids orally?
Conscious and alert patients that are able to do it themselves.
32
Unresponsive patients in hypothermic emergencies may appear to be what?
Dead
33
When assessing pulse in a patient in a hypothermic emergency how long should you assess pulse and why?
30 - 45 seconds because of bradycardia may make pulse harder to assess
34
A patient is not dead until they are ______ and dead.
Warm
35
You have a patient that is hypothermic (<86 degrees faherneheit) pulseless and apneic. What is your treatment?
Begin CPR Preform quick look, if VF or pulseless V-Tach present defibrillate INtuabte Initiate IV with warm fluid Assess core temperature If core temperature continues to be below 86 degrees fahrenheit then continue CPR but DO NOT ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS OR DEFIBRILLATION If core temperature is above 86 degrees fahrenheit then continue with normal ACLS algorithm
36
Define frostbite
Environmental freezing of skin that causes cell death
37
What are the two types of frostbite?
Superficial Frostbite (Frost nip) And Deep Frostbite
38
What is the treatment of superficial frostbite?
Remove from the area Warm affected body part DO NOT MASSAGE THE BODY PART Splint if possible
39
What is the treatment of deep frostbite?
Rapid transport Gentle handling, splinting. Treat as if it were a fracture Rewarm according to protocol Contact medical direction Treat associated symptoms
40
Define trench foot
Similar to frostbite but occurs at temperatures above freezing May result in tissue sloughing and gangrene Also known as immersion foot
41
Define heat stroke
Patient loses ability to thermoregulate combined with fluid and electrolyte loss
42
What are signs and symptoms of heat stroke
Increased respires rapid pulse low blood pressure lack of perspiration hot dry skin seizure
43
What are febrile seizures
Seizure caused by drastic change in temperature, usually seen in pediatrics
44
How should patients with hypothermia and hyperthermia be transferred to your cot?
Carried DO NOT WALK THESE PATIENTS to the cot
45
Define drowning
Process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid which may result in mortality, morbidity or no morbidity
46
Drowning can happen _________ in only a ____ inches of liquid
Anywhere, few
47
True or false Drownings are loud events
False Drownings are silent
48
Define Atelectasis
Complete or partial collapse of a lung or lobe of the lung resulting from alveoli
49
_____% of drowning victims have water in their lungs Why?
10% When water contacts the vocal cords a coughing reflex is triggered.
50
Which type of drowning is preferable and why Cold water or warm water drownings?
Cold water drownings are preferable because water below 70 degrees fahrenheit can slow the onset of death due to the bodies response to hypothermia
51
What is the treatment of drownings?
Remove patient from water without compromising your own safety C-spine precautions on all victims Rescue breaths should be initiated ASAP and the airway controlled CPR if pulseless Main concern is hypoxia to the brain
52
How will salt water and fresh water drownings be different?
Patient drowning in fresh water is more likely to develop sepsis due to the increased presence of microbes and germs in fresh water.
53
How can water be removed from the lungs?
Positive pressure ventilations Osmosis
54
Define Air Embolus
Air bubble in the blood stream
55
What are signs and symptoms associated with air embolus?
Localized chest pain Numbness/tingling in extremities Blood in the airway Sudden LOC Cardio/Respiratory arrest
56
Define Boyles Law
Volume of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure if temperature is kept constant
57
Define Daltons Law
The total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of all the partial pressure of the individual gases
58
Define Henrys Law
The amount of gas dissolved into a given volume of fluid is proportional to the pressure of the gas above it
59
Define the bends (decompression sickness)
Nitrogen concentration in tissues and joints as a result of resurfacing too quickly
60
What are signs and symptoms associated with the bends?
Altered LOC Muscle/joint pain Blotchiness on skin Difficulty breathing LOC
61
What are the 4 steps of water rescue?
Reach Throw Row Go
62
Define altitude illness
Caused by rapid ascension to high altitudes May include Acute Mountain Sickness, High Altitude Cerebral Edema, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
63
What is the criteria for Acute Mountain Sickness?
Rapid increase in altitude with headache and AT LEAST ONE of the following: Fatigue and or weakness Dizziness or light headedness GI Problems Difficulty sleeping
64
What is the treatment of high altitude sickness?
Remove to lower altitude if possible High flow oxygen Hyperbaric bags If pulmonary edema is present provide CPAP and Furosemide Treat associated signs and symptoms

Paramedic 2 (17 decks)

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