HEAT INJURIES

Question 1

What is a self-limited process manifested by the mild swelling of the feet,ankles, and hands that appears within the first few days of exposure to a hot environment?

Answer 1

Heat Edema

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of Heat Edema?

Answer 2

Mild swelling of feet, ankles and hands that appears within the first few days of exposure to a hot environment

Question 3

How long does it take for Heat Edema to resolve?

Answer 3

Normally a few days

May take up to 6 weeks

Question 4

What is the treatment for Heat Edema?

Answer 4

None Needed

DO NOT GET DIURETICS

Question 5

What are the other names for “Prickly Heat”?

Answer 5

1) Lichen Tropicus
2) Miliaria Rubra
3) Heat Rash

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of Prickly Heat?

Answer 6

PME

1) Pruritic,
2) Maculopapular,
3) Erythematous rash over clothed areas of the body.

Question 7

What is the treatment for Prickly Heat?

Answer 7

Chlorhexidine Cream/Lotion

Question 8

What are preventive measures for Prickly Heat?

Answer 8

1) Wearing clean, light, and loose- fitting clothing

2) Avoiding sweat-generating situations

Question 9

What muscles do heat cramps commonly effect?

Answer 9

Calves

Question 10

What is the treatment for Heat Cramps?

Answer 10

1) Fluid and salt replacement (Commercial Sport drinks)
2) Rest in a cool environment
3) Cases of heat cramps will respond to intravenous rehydrationwith NS

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of Heat Tetany?

Answer 11

1) Hyperventilation resulting in respiratory alkalosis,
2) Paresthesia of the extremities, **
3) Circumoral paresthesia,
4) Carpopedal spasm.

Question 12

How can Heat Tetany be differentiated from Heat Cramps?

Answer 12

Heat Tetany has very little pain or cramps in the muscle compartments, and Paresthesia of the extremities and perioral region are more prominent.

Question 13

What is the treatment for Heat Tetany?

Answer 13

Removal from the heat and decreasing the respiratory rate.

Question 14

What is the treatment for Heat Syncope?

Answer 14

1) Removal from the heat source,
2) Oral or intravenous rehydration,
3) Rest

Question 15

What are the signs and symptoms of Heat Exhaustion?

Answer 15

1) Malaise,
2) Lightheadedness,
3) Fatigue
4) Dizziness,
5) Nausea and vomiting,
6) Frontal headache,
7) Myalgias,
8) Orthostatic hypotension,
9) Sinus tachycardia,
10) Tachypnea,
11) Diaphoresis,
12) Syncope.
13) Temperature is variable and can range from normal to 104°F(40°C).

Question 16

What is the temperature range for Heat Exhaustion?

Answer 16

Normal to 104 F

Question 17

What is the treatment for Heat Exhaustion?

Answer 17

1) Volume and electrolyte replacement and rest.
2) Mild cases may be treated with oral electrolyte solutions.
3) Rapid infusion of moderate amounts of intravenous fluids (1 to2 L of saline solution) may be necessary in some patients

Question 18

1) Irritability,
2) Confusion,
3) Bizarre behavior,
4) Combativeness,
5) Hallucinations,
6) Seizures,
7) Coma,
8) Core temperature higher than 104°F (40°C),
9) CNS dysfunction,
10) Anhidrosis.
11) Any neurologic abnormality may be present
a) Plantar responses,
b) Decorticate and decerebrate posturing,
c) Hemiplegia,
d) Status epilepticus,
e) Coma

Answer 18

Heat Stroke

Question 19

What are the signs and symptoms of Heat Stroke?

Answer 19

1) Irritability,
2) Confusion,
3) Bizarre behavior,
4) Combativeness,
5) Hallucinations,
6) Seizures,
7) Coma,
8) Core temperature higher than 104°F (40°C),
9) CNS dysfunction,
10) Anhidrosis.
11) Any neurologic abnormality may be present
a) Plantar responses,
b) Decorticate and decerebrate posturing,
c) Hemiplegia,
d) Status epilepticus,
e) Coma

Question 20

What is the treatment for Heat Stroke?

Answer 20

1) ABC’s
2) High-flow oxygen
3) Continuous cardiac monitoring
4) Pulse oximetry
5) Intravenous access; NS or LR solution at a rate of 250 mL/h
6) IV Fluid bolus.
7) Actively cool the patient with evaporation or immersion in cold ice bath.
8) May add cold packs to axilla, groin, and neck.
9) May consider placing a foley catheter to measure urine output.
10) Stop active cooling once temperature reaches 102 F.
11) Serial monitoring of the patient’s core temperature

Question 21

For a heat stroke patient, what is the rate of infusion for NS or LR?

Answer 21

250 ml/hour

Question 22

At what temperature should you stop active cooling in a heat stroke patient?

Answer 22

102 F