Submersion Injuries Ch. 29 Flashcards
Types of drowning
fatal and non-fatal
Respiratory effects of drowning
- surfactant washes away
- atelectasis develops
- atlectasis leads to shunting and V?Q mismatch
4, pulmonary edema develops - ARDS may develop
Cardiac effects of drowning (3)
- hypoxia leads to acidosis and electrolyte imbalance
- cold submersion causes coagulation issues and bradycardia
- direct damage to cardiac muscles like ACS
Neuro effects of drowning (2)
- primarily from hypoxia
2. spinal injury from diving
GI effects of drowning (3)
- large ingestion of water can lead to electrolyte imbalance
- can cause vomiting/aspiration
- hypoxia can lead to bowel ischemia and sloughing off of lining leading to currant jelly like stool
Renal effects of drowning (2)
- acute tubular injury from acidosis and
2. may not evolve until several days after drowning
What is the best indicator of drowning survival?
length of submersion, longer = poorer outcomes
Priorities in drowning treatment (5)
1. airway and ventilation 2, spinal immobilization 3. hypothermia control 4. hypothermia causes hypovolemia 5. NG/OG to remove water and debris from stomach
If body temp is below 82.4, how does this change rescecitation?
compression are controversial as they may precipitate VFIB (p. 337)
How long to monitor a patient after a non-fatal drowning
no real consensus but 4-8 hours
What is the most important vital sign to predict complication in a non-fatal drowning
pulse oximetry (p. 337)
How long after a non-fatal drowning may symptoms arise
24-36 hours
DC teaching for non-fatal drowning
return for SOB, vomiting more than once or AMS
How long after a non-fatal drowning may renal symptoms show?
Several days
