Environmental Emergencies (W2) Flashcards
What is the normal heat production of the body
60-70kcal/h (can increase to 900kcal/h w strenuous exercise/environment)
What are the four mechanisms of heat loss
Radiation, convection, conduction, evaporation
How does the body regulate heat through radiation
Vasoconstriction in response to the cold, vasodilation in response to heat
How does the body regulate heat through convection
Energy transferred by mass motion of obstacles [air or liquid passing through the body]
How does the body regulate heat through conduction
Direct physical contact [accounts for 2% of heat loss but in water it can have 32X the impact]
How does the body regulate heat through evaporation
Liquid to gas (sweat from skin) skin and lungs are big players here
What does respiration combine to facilitate heat loss, and how
convection, radiation, and evaporation [breathing out humidified air]
What are the three primary mechanisms of heat related illness
Exogenous heat gain, increased endogenous heat production [physical activity, medications, febrile illness], decreased heat dispersion [dehydration, CV disease, high/low age, obesity, poor clothing, skin disease, drugs]
Minor heat related illnesses can include
Heat edema, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
What is heat edema
Self-limiting mild tightening of hands/feet, common in old people moving after being stationary
What are heat cramps
Na/K/fluid deficiency causing painful/involuntary contractions of skeletal muscle
What is heat syncope
A variant of postural HoTN, does not necessarily mean volume depletion
What is heat exhaustion
CBT can be normal-40, is usually caused by combination of salt and water depletion, pt will present diaphoretic [tx: wet cloths/cool environment, passive cooling]
What is heat stroke
Denaturation of proteins, pt may present with a variety of symptoms including altered LOA and likely no sweating [tx: immediately initiate active cooling]
Why does a pt w heat stroke likely have some level of an altered LOA
Bc the cerebellum is very sensitive to temperature —> ataxia is an early finding
What are the two most dangerous spiders found in our area
Brown recluse (loxosceles reclusa) & black widow (latrodectus mactans)
What are the S/S of a brown reculsa bite
Blue-gray halo 2 hrs after bite, after 5-7 days aseptic necrosis necrotic ucler will have developed
What are the S/S of a black widow bite
(Neurotoxic) immediate sharp stinging pain, muscle cramps in 15mins-2hr, symptoms will usually disappear after 24hr
What are the general effects of venom
Tissue deconstruction, profuse bleeding, neurological effects, CA, respiratory failure, death!
What should you NOT do when dealing with insect/animal bites
-DONT apply a tourniquet or anything too tight
-DONT apply ice
-DONT cut or suck on the bite area
-DONT try to catch or kill the animal/insect
-DONT give pain meds containing aspirin or ibuprofen
What should you be considering with diving injuries
Air embolism, decompression illness, barotrauma
S/S of wound infection
-new/increasing pain
-delayed healing
-increase in wound size/width/depth
-increase/developing necrotic tissue
-increase/change in exudate
-odour
-increase in temp around wound
How do you assess a wound
Looking at the location, age of wound, size of wound, depth/healing stage, evaluation of necrotic, tissue
