Hyper/Hypo thermia

Question 1

how does humidity exacerbate the impact of high temperatures on a person?

Answer 1

reduces the bodies ability to cool itself via sweat evaporation which increases the risk of heat related illnesses

Question 2

which populations are more vulnerable to facing weather extreme conditions?

Answer 2

the elderly, the very young, and those with specific medical conditions, Obese/sedintary individuals.

Question 3

why is the elederly and young children more brone to both heat and cold related illnesses

Answer 3

because they have reduced temperature regulation due to body mass and other physiological factors

Question 4

why are those who take psychiatric medications at risk for frostbite or hypothermia?

Answer 4

because some psychiatric medications can impair temperature sensation

Question 5

why are those who take diuretics predisposed to having heat exhaustion

Answer 5

because diuretics can cause dehydration in those who may have mobility issues or who may not drink enough fluids/sense thirst which predisposes them to heat exhaustion

Question 6

what is a concern to have with mental health patients with regard to temperature perception?

Answer 6

they might wander outdoors inappropriately dressed in colded weather. they also could have an impaired temperature perception

Question 7

what should you not do as treatment for a patient suffering from heat stroke?

Answer 7

• do not use wet dressings when cold packs are being applied
• do not give anything by mouth (NPO) due to altered LOA

Question 8

NPO is advised for heat stroke patients due to altered LOA. how can we hydrate and stabilize this PT?

Answer 8

administering IV fluids

Question 9

heat cramps are the mildest form of heat related illnesses, what does a paramedics treatment plan involve?

Answer 9

• cooling the patient
• administering fluids
• ensuring rest (supine positioning)

Question 10

what are the S/S of heat exhaustion

Answer 10

• have a normal LOA but might feel dizzy or weak
• cool moist skin
• they should have noremal vital signs but could feel flu like
  *hypotension could be present but depends on Pts condition

Question 11

what would treatment look like for a PT expirencing heat exhaustion?

Answer 11

• remove the PT from the hot enviroment
• cool the pt gradually by removing clothing and applying wet dressing
• position supine
  *O2 as indicated

Question 12

what are the S/S of patients who are experiencing a heat stroke?

Answer 12

• in an altered mental state
• hot dry skin
• severe hypotension
• tachycardia

Question 13

how does a treatment for a heat stroke patient differ from a heat exhaustion patient

Answer 13

for heat stroke patients nothing shoilf be given by mouth and cold packs are applied.

Question 14

what complications should a paramedic be prepared with regards to a heat stroke patient?

Answer 14

• seizures
• combativeness

Question 15

where on the body will nathan place cold pack for a pt that is having a heat stroke?

Answer 15

nathan will place them on the head, neck, groin, and axilla region to reduce the patients temprature. head and neck is often sufficient

Question 16

what symptoms of heat stroke are similar to meningitis?

Answer 16

altered LOAs, Combativness, and onset of seizures

Question 17

hypothermia can lead to both localized and systemic injuries. what is a localized hypothermic injury

Answer 17

frost bite

Question 18

what are the symptoms of superficial frost bite?

Answer 18

numbness/loss of sensation in the affected area. Pts may also report a burning sensation

Question 19

what would the skin presentation be for pts with superficial frostbite

Answer 19

it would be waxy white and firm to palpation

Question 20

when the superficial frostbite begins to thaw what should you expect to see?

Answer 20

the skin may become cyanotic and the pt will complain of a hot stinging senstion once circulation returns

Question 21

what are the symptoms of deep frostbite?

Answer 21

complete loss of sensation of effected area

Question 22

what would the skin presentation be for deep frost bites?

Answer 22

white, yellow-white, or mottled blue with white patches. will feel hard and cold

Question 23

what should you expect when deep frost bute thaws?

Answer 23

major tissue damage and could present as gangrene

Question 24

for a patient experiencing mild hypothermia, what would their core body temperture range from?

Answer 24

32-35 degrees celcius

Question 25

what symptoms would present with mild hypothermia?

Answer 25

• shivering
• loss of coordination and fin motor skills

Question 26

treatment for both moderate and mild hypothermia is avtice rewarming. explaine active rewarming?

Answer 26

• applying warm blankets and heating packs, also turning on heat in the ambulance

Question 27

what would the core body temperature for a moderate hypothermia case be?

Answer 27

28 - 32 degrees celcius

Question 28

what symptoms would be present for a moderate hypothermia case?

Answer 28

• shivering will decrease or stop all together
• grossly altered mental status

Question 29

what would the core body temperature be for a severe hypothermia case?

Answer 29

<28 degrees celcius

Question 30

what would the symptoms be for a severe hypothermia case?

Answer 30

often pts are unconsious and not shivering

Question 31

treatment for severe hypothermia includes passice rewarming, what does this look like>

Answer 31

just applying warm coverings and not hot packs

Question 32

why is gentle handling important for hypothermic pts?

Answer 32

because their heart is in an irritable state and rough movements can trigger lethal arrhythmias

Question 33

why shouldnt active rewarming be used as treatment for severe hypothermic cases?

Answer 33

these pts may have ice crystals in their veins, active rewarming can cause uneven thawing that can cause shunting of cold, hypoxic, acidotic blood to vital organs