hot weather Flashcards
What are the ways heat can be transferred?
Conduction -direct physical contact
Convection -from the body to air & water surrounding the body
Radiation -heat electromagnetic waves
Evaporation -liquid into gaseous phase
What is the body’s dominat form of heat loss in a hot environment?
Radiation
Evaporation
What happens when air temperature exceeds 95 degrees?
Radiation heat loss ceases
When heat is generated or gained by the body faster than it can be dissipated?
Heat stress
What are some contributing factors of a heat injury?
Medications (Beta Blockers)
Obesity
Dehydration
Skin disorders that inhibit sweating
How much water can a person lose in severe heat?
1 liter or more per hour
How much water can the gut absorb per hour?
1200ml
1200ml
FALSE
What should be done when water is in short supply?
Limit activity to the coolest part of the day or the night
How much should you dilute a sports drink?
1/3 - ½
How much of body weight is lost during mild dehydration?
2-3%
T or F. Thirst is a poor indicator of adequate hydration?
TRUE
Can salt tablets by used as an oral salt source?
No
How long does it take to acclimatize?
8-11 days
How much should you increase activity each day to acclimatize?
1-2 hours per day
What is a benefit of acclimatization?
The body retains salt which conserves plasma volume
How does creatine and amino acids affect dehydration?
Increase requirement for water
What temperature and environment can heat injuries occur at?
Any temp
Any environment
What conditions do most heat injuries occur?
Ambient temperatures
High humidity
What are the types of heat related injuries?
Prickly heat Heat syncope Heat cramps Heat exhaustion Heat stroke
What is another name for prickly heat?
Miliaria Rubra
S&S of prickly heat?
Erythematous, popular and pruritic rash
Complication of prickly heat?
Can interfere with sweating, causing heat exhaustion or heatstroke
Medication for prickly heat (Miliaria Rubra)?
Antihistamines
Chlorhexidine cream
Dicloxacillin or Erithro
Management of Heat Syncope?
Secondary assessment for trauma from fall
Trendelenburg
Cooling
Fluids
What kind of fluids are good for heat syncope?
0.1% salt solution
When do heat cramps usually occur?
During or after work effort
Management for heat cramps?
ORS in 1ltr
Rest in cool place
What is the most common heat injury?
Heat exhaustion
What is the onset of heat exhaustion?
3-5 days
S&S of heat exhaustion?
Flu-like
Orthostatic hypotension
104* with profuse sweating
Normal mental status
What will the pulse and respirations be like with heat exhaustion?
Respirations – Rapid & Shallow
Pulse – Weak & Thready
Is heat stroke a true medical emergency?
Yes
How can you distinguish heat stroke from heat exhaustion?
Presence of neurological symptoms
Temp > 105*
S&S of heat stroke?
Ataxic gate
Anhydrases
Seizure
What is anhydrases?
Inability to sweat normally
Management of Heat Stroke?
Rapid cooling
IV NS 1-2ltrs
Diazepam (Valium)
When should you discontinue cooling?
=101F - 102F
What medication should you not give for heat stroke?
Benadryl (interferes with sweating)
Treatment for 2nd degree sunburn?
Treat as 2nd degree thermal burn
Bacitracin
Silvadine
NSAIDs
What is the cause of hyponatremia?
Loss of salt from sweating
Drinking too much water (hemodilution)
