Lecture 12 - Environmental Ilness Flashcards
1
Q
What is temperature control?
A
- Body temp must remain constant for the
body to work efficiently - Normal body temp. is 37 º C or 98.6 º F
- Body heat is produced by conversion of
food to energy & by muscle contraction as
in exercise or shivering - Heat always moves from warm areas to
cooler
2
Q
What do you do when body Temperature increases?
A
- have superficial blood vessels dilate
bringing warm blood to the surface of the
skin so it can be cooled (convection) - Sweating where evaporation causes the
blood to be cooled faster than through
convection
3
Q
What does the body do to control cold temperatures?
A
- Constricting blood vessels at the skin to
keep heat at the core - Shivering when the vasodilation does not
work
4
Q
What are 3 external factors that affect body temperature ?
A
- air temperature
- humidity
- wind
5
Q
What is frost bite?
A
- Involves a progressive freezing of body tissueswhen exposed to temperatures below Oº C.
- can involve the superficial layers of
the skin all the way down to the deep layers - typically affects the most exposed areas such as the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, toes
- Water within & between the tissue cells freezes forming ice crystals that damage or destroy the cells
6
Q
What are the signs & symptoms of superficial frost bite?
A
- known as frost nip
- skin appears white & waxy
- superficial skin is hard to the touch but
the deeper tissue remains soft - Pain followed by numbness in the area.
7
Q
What are the signs & symptoms of deep frost bite?
A
- skin appears white & waxy initially but
turns grey-blue as the damage progresses - skin is cold & hard to the touch.
- Numbness in the affected area.
- Degree of tissue damage is dependant on:
- How long it was frozen
- Trauma or use when frozen
- Method used to thaw tissue
8
Q
How can superficial frostbite be managed?
A
- Try if possible to move into a warm or sheltered environment.
- Cover frostbitten areas with warm hands.
- For fingers & toes breath on them or place
them in contact with warm areas of the body ie. arm pits, abdomen, groin. - Do not rub the injured area as this may cause further tissue damage.
9
Q
How can deep frostbite be managed?
A
- Try if possible to move into a warm or
sheltered environment. - Do not thaw the area if refreezing is possible or if transport to medical attention may be delayed
- Handle the tissue gently; For fingers & toes re-warm the area slowly by placing the limb in a container of warm water between 38º – 40ºC (100º - 105ºF)
10
Q
What is hypothermia?
A
- generalized cooling of the body with the
body core temp. falling below 35º C (95ºF) - progresses in stages from mild to severe.
11
Q
What are the signs & symptoms of hypothermia?
A
- Shivering (absent in later stages)
- Slow Irregular pulse
- Numbness
- Apathy & decreasing LOC
- Glassy stare
12
Q
What is stage 1 of hypothermia?
A
- mild type, core temp is 35 - 36 degrees C
- HR is normal
- RR is normal
- appearance - shivering & slurred speech
- mental status - conscious withdrawn
13
Q
What is stage 2 of hypothermia?
A
- Moderate type, core temp. 34º - 30ºC
- HR: slow & weak
- RR: slow & shallow
- Appearance : Shivering initially violent may
stop, clumsy & stumbles, slurred speech - Mental Status: confused, sleepy & irrational
14
Q
What is stage 3 hypothermia?
A
- Severe type, core temp. < 30ºC
- HR: weak, irregular or absent
- RR: slow & shallow or absent
- Appearance : Shivering has stopped.
- Mental Status: unconscious
15
Q
What are risk factors of cold injuries?
A
- wind chill
- Improper clothing for the weather conditions
- Elderly persons or very young
- Poor health
- Weakened States caused by :
- malnourished or inadequate food intake
- extreme fatigue
- use of alcohol, or drugs
16
Q
How to prevent hypothermia?
A
- stay warm & dry
- wear multiple layers of clothing.
- having adequate shelter to keep you out of the rain, wind, & snow.
- Do not overdo outdoor activates in cold wet environments
17
Q
What is the treatment of hypothermia?
A
- Check, Call, Care (EMS, ABC’s)
- Handle the patient gently
- Remove from the cold environment
- In a sheltered environment Remove wet
clothing to prevent further heat loss &
replace with dry clothing or blankets - Slowly re-warm the body do not immerse in hot water as it could cause arrhythmias.
- Monitor vital signs
18
Q
What is hyperthermia?
A
- Heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps
- caused by being unable to regulate body temperature in hot conditions
- Heat illnesses affect many of us in our daily lives.
- In athletes, heat stroke is the second leading cause of death next to traumatic brain & spinal cord injuries.
19
Q
What are the signs & symptoms of hyperthermia?
A
- excessive sweating
- cold, clammy, pale skin
- weak & rapid pulse
- vomiting, dizziness, headache, nausea
- painful leg & abdominal cramps
- unconsciousness
20
Q
What is the treatment of hyperthermia?
A
- Check ,Call, Care
- move to a cool place or provide Shade
& loosen clothing (remove if appropriate) - Give the responsive patient water slowly
- Place in anti- shock position if safe to do so & monitor ABC’s
- Unresponsive patient is place in the recovery position & monitored.
- Ease cramps by placing moist towels over the muscles. If not contraindicated, massage may also be used
21
Q
What are 2 types of heat stroke?
A
- Classic: occurs when the body temperature controls fail
- Exertional: occurs as the result of heavy
physical exertion in high temp
22
Q
What are the signs & symptoms of heat stroke?
A
- Rapid rise in body temp 40ºC and >
- Flushed hot dry skin in classic heatstroke
- Flushed hot sweaty skin in exertional heatstroke.
- Difficult noisy breathing
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
23
Q
What is the treatment of heat stroke?
A
- same as heat exhaustion
24
Q
What is heat stroke?
A
profuse sweating during exercise, where there is undue stress on the muscles can lead to fluid imbalances which can cause general cramping in the stomach muscles, legs & arms
- serve as a warning to impending heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Medical evaluation may be necessary.
