Environmental Emergencies: Vocabulary Flashcards
Thermal Gradient
The difference in the temperature between the environment and the body.
Thermogenisis
The production of heat, especially within the body.
Conduction
Moving electrons, ions, heat, or sound waves through a conductor or conducting medium.
Convection
Transfer of heat via currents in liquids or gases.
Radiation
Transfer of energy through space or matter.
Evaporation
Change from liquid to gaseous stated
Respiration
The exchange of gases between a living organism and its environment.
Thermoregulation
The maintenance or regulation of a particular temperature of the body
Core Temperature
The body temperature of the deep tissues, which usually does not vary moe that na degree or so from its normal 37 C or 98.6 F.
Hypothalmus
Portion of the diencephalon producing neurosecretions important in the control of certain metabolic activities, including body temperature regulation.
Vasal Metabolic Rate
Rate at which the body consumes energy just to maintain stability; the basic metabolic rate (measured by the rate of oxygen consumption) of an awake, relaxed person 12-14 hours after eating and at a comfortable temperature.
Exertional Metabolic Rate
Rate at which the body consumes energy during activity. It is faster than the basal metabolic rate.
Heat Illness
Increased core body temperature due to inadequate thermolysis.
Autonomic Neuropathy
Condition that damages the autonomic nervous system, which usually senses changes in core temperature and controls vasodilation and perspiration to dissipate heat.
Acclimatization
The reversible changes in the body structure and function by which the body becomes adjusted to a change in environment.
Pyrexia
Fever, or above normal body temperatures
Pyrogen
Any substance causing a fever, such as viruses and bacteria or substances produced within the body in response to infection or inflammation.
J wave
ECG deflection found at the junction of QR complex and the ST segment. It is associated with hypothermia and seen at core temperatures below 32 C, most commonly in leads II and V6 also called an Osborn wave.
Frostbite-
What is it and how does it work?
Environmentally induced freezing of body tissues causing destruction of cells- water is drawn out of cells into extracellular space and forms ice crystals that expand to destroy cells-
Superficial Frostbite/ Frostnip
Freezing involving only epidermal tissues resulting in redness followed by balancing and diminished sensation.
Deep Frostbite
Freezing involving epidermal and subcutaneous tissues resulting in a white appearance, hard (frozen) feeling on palpation, and loss of sensation.
Surfactant
A compound secreted by cells in the lungs that regulates the surface tension of the fluid that lines the alveoli, which his important in keeping the alveoli open for gas exchange.
Mammalian Diving Reflex
A complex cardiovascular reflex; resulting from submersion of the face and nose in water, that constricts blood flow everywhere except to the brain.
Boyl’s Law
The volume of gas is inversely proportional to the pressure if the temperature is kept constant. At sea level, air pressure is 760 mmHg. At 33 feet under the see, 1000 mL of air that was on the surface is now equivalent to 500 mL of water because of increase in pressure.
Daltons Law
The total pressure of a mixture of gasses is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases. Percentage of gasses in air never changes due to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the percentage of oxygen at RA at sea level, and RA at the top of Everest is the same.
Henry’s Law
The soda law. If pressure changes too rapidly (person coming rapidly to the surface of the ocean after a dive) the gases (especially nitrogen) that were dissolved in the blood, un-disolve and become gas bubbles in the blood.
Nitrogen Narcosis
A state of stupor that develops during deep dives due to nitrogen’s effects on cerebral function; also called “raptures of the deep”- When people take unexpected risks.
Decompression illness
Development of nitrogen bubbles within the tissues due to rapid reduction of air pressure when a diver returns to the surface; also called “the bends”
Pulmonary Overpressure
Expansion of air held in the lungs during ascent. If not exhaled the expanded air may cause injury to the lungs and surrounding structures.
Arterial Gas Embolism
An air bubble, or air embolism, that enters the circulatory system from a damaged lung.
Pneumomediastinum
Presence of air in the mediastinum.
