High ALt Flashcards
What are the 3 most significant types of altitude illnesses?
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
What are the altitude classifications?
High altitude -5,000 to 11,500ft
Very high altitude -11,500 to 18,000ft
Extreme altitude -18,000+ ft
What range does AMS occur in?
5,000-11,500ft
What range does HAPE & HACE begin?
11,500-18,000ft
What is the most common cause of altitude illness in soldiers?
Rapid ascent
Should you give short-acting benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics for altitude illness?
NO
T or F. Everyone becomes tachycardic, w/o exceptions at altitude?
TRUE
What is the primary risk factor for high-altitude illness?
Rapid ascent
What is a secondary risk factor of high-altitude illness?
Strenuous exertion on arrival
Is physical fitness protective against high-altitude illness?
NO
When does Acute Mountain Sickness usually occur?
36-48hrs
S&S of AMS?
Similar to an alcoholic hangover
Unrelieved headache
Rales
Edema of face, hands & ankles
Medications for AMS?
Diamox (acetazolamide)
Decadron (dexamethasone)
What is a concern with Decadron (dexamethasone)?
Rebound affect
How fast can HACE progress to coma & death?
12 hours
S&S of HACE?
Altered mental status
Ataxia (gait)
Papilledema
Treatment for HACE?
Descend (>3,000ft)
O2
Diamox (acetaxolamide)
When does HAPE normally occur?
2-4 days
S&S of HAPE?
Dyspnea at rest
Chest tightness
Rales or Wheezing
Pink frothy sputum
DDx of HAPE?
Pneumonia
Pulmonary embolus
High-altitude cough
Treatment of HAPE?
Descend (>3,000ft)
Procardia (nifedipine)
Viagra (sildenafil)
Sleep disturbances and periodic breathing at high altitude will correct as person acclimatizes if they avoid?
Smoking
Sedatives
ETOH
What is another name for ultraviolet keratitis?
Snowblindness
S&S of ultraviolet keratitis?
Severe, gritty sensation
Treatment for ultraviolet keratitis?
Remove contacts
Single dose of topical anesthetic
Mydriatic-cyclopegic
What meds are not indicated for ultraviolet keratitis?
Tetracaine
Steroids
What altitude is high-altitude retinal hemorrhage nearly universal at?
> 17,000ft
T or F. High-altitude retinal hemorrhage is asymptomatic if macula is not involved?
TRUE
Prevention for high-altitude hemorrhage?
Ascend 1,000ft/day
Spend 2-3 days at same altitude
Climb high, sleep low
S&S of thromboembolis?
Calf pain
Homan’s sign
What is Homan’s sign?
Calf pain w/dorsiflex of the foot
What is the altitude inside a Gamow bag at 14,000ft?
7,000ft
