Environmental Injuries

Question 1

what is hypothermia

Answer 1

Hypothermia occurs when the body, under the effect of cold, loses more heat than it produces. The body temperature drops below 35ºC.

Question 2

what types of hypothermia are there

Answer 2

severe
moderate
mild

Question 3

protocol for moderate and severe hypothermia

Answer 3

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Remove the patient from the cold environment
3. Conduct a primary survey; activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911).
4. Ensure you handle the patient gently.

Do not rub or move the body around; too much movement circulates the cold blood back to through the body, further cooling the person

5. Gently remove wet clothing and replace with warm, dry clothing
6. Cover person and warm head, neck and trunk (warming up too quickly adds stress to the heart).
7. If the patient stops breathing, commence CPR.
8. Continue to monitor ABCs, treat for shock and reassure the patient while waiting to hand them over to EMS.

If you are unable to move the person to a warm shelter: ◼ Protect from the wind ◼ Wrap in reflective cover or garbage bags ◼ Sit the person on a blanket, piece of cardboard, etc.

Question 4

protocol for mild hypothermia

Answer 4

1. Give the person a warm drink

► Avoid alcoholic beverages as alcohol lowers body temperature and promotes heat loss through the skin

2. Ask the person not to smoke as nicotine causes a decrease in blood circulation.

Question 5

what is frostbite

Answer 5

Frostbite is a condition in which the tissues freezes. Water is the main component of cells. It can freeze and expand causing damage to the cells. In extreme cases, the entire body may freeze, causing death.

Question 6

what is superficial frostbite

Answer 6

Attacks the epidermis. The skin is frozen throughout its thickness, but not the underlying tissues.

Question 7

signs & symptoms of frost bite

Answer 7

Area becomes numb and white Skin is firm to the touch yet soft underneath Affected area becomes red and uncomfortable after rewarming.

Question 8

what is deep frost bite

Answer 8

The skin and underlying tissues are frozen, sometimes to the bone (epidermis, dermis, muscles, and tissues): may lead to amputation.

Question 9

signs and symptoms of deep friost bite

Answer 9

Area becomes numb White and waxy skin (shiny) Presence of blisters - burned by the cold No feeling in the affected part Skin is hard Area is extremely uncomfortable once reheated.

Question 10

protocol for superficial frostbite

Answer 10

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Remove the patient from the cold environment.
3. Gently rewarm the affected area in water (between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius) for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Monitor and reassure the patient. Have the patient transported for further care.
5. Do not place the affected area near a source of intense heat
6. Do not rub the affected area to warm because the tiny ice crystals can aggravate the injuries
7. After re-warming , protect frostbitten parts from re-freezing
8. Affected body parts may be dressed with sterile gauze and gauze placed between digits until the person can reach medical care.

Question 11

protocol for deep frost bite

Answer 11

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Remove the patient from the cold environment.
3. Conduct a primary survey
4. Handle the frozen area very gently-do not rub the area.
5. Keep the patient at rest, continue to monitor ABCs, treat for shock and reassure patient while waiting to hand them over to EMS.

Question 12

what is heat stroke

Answer 12

Heat-related disorders can occur with prolonged exposure to extreme heat or heavy exertion during extreme heat events. These health problems are serious as death can occur quickly.

Question 13

common causes of heat stroke

Answer 13

Prolonged exposure to hot sun Not drinking enough fluids
Fluid loss through perspiration = loss of electrolytes in the body Exercise or work in high temperatures
High consumption of alcohol in high temperatures
Hot environment
High humidity - reduces the body’s ability to sweat.

Question 14

signs & symptoms of heat stroke

Answer 14

Hot and dry skin (no longer sweats)
Red skin Noisy breathing (panting)
Rapid, weak and irregular pulse Headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting
Change in level of consciousness (from agitation to unconsciousness)
Convulsions leading to unconsciousness
Abdominal and muscle cramps

Question 15

what is heat exhaustion

Answer 15

Heat exhaustion is when the body overheats and loses its ability to cool itself through sweating.

Question 16

signs ans symptoms of heat exhaustion

Answer 16

Heat exhaustion is when the body overheats and loses its ability to cool itself through sweating.

Question 17

signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion

Answer 17

Heavy sweating, cool skin
Rapid but weak pulse
Dizziness, blurred vision, headache
Dilated pupils

Question 18

protocol for heat stroke

Answer 18

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Remove patient to cool area immediately.
3. Conduct a primary survey.
4. Activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911).
5. Remove clothing.
6. Refresh person by moistening with water over the entire surface of the body to reduce body temperature.
7. Cover the patient with a thin dry sheet.
8. Place patient in shock position.
9. Monitor patient vitals, if their temperature starts to climb again, repeat cooling process.
10. Continue to monitor ABCs, treat for shock and reassure the patient while waiting to hand them over to EMS.

Question 19

protocol for heat exhaustion

Answer 19

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Conduct a primary survey and activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911).
3. If patient is unconscious, place them in the recovery position.
4. Loosen any tight clothes and provide gentle cooling by using a fan or applying a cool cloth to the face and neck.
5. Continue to monitor ABCs, treat for shock and reassure the patient while waiting to hand them over to EMS.
6. If the patient is conscious:

◼ Loosen tight clothes and remove excess clothing.
◼ Give cool water or electrolyte drinks to the patient.
◼ If the patient vomits or there is a decrease level of consciousness, activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911), monitor ABCs and reassure the patient until EMS arrives.