Chapter 16 Assignment Questions

The body's core temperature is:

98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celcius)

When exposed to the same conditions and based on your understanding of factors predisposing a person to heat-related illnesses, which individual would be at greatest risk for a heat-related illness?

A 75-year-old diabetic with heart disease

Scenario: You and your partner are called to a rural camping site in response to a call about a camper being bitten by a snake on his lower leg. The patient tells you it was a coral snake. You inspect the bite wound, which reveals:

A semicircular mark

Scenario: A 72-year-old woman goes out of her house in her bare feet, wearing only her pajamas and robe, to get the newspaper from the curb. There is snow on the ground, and the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.6 degrees Celsius). When she tries to get back into the house, she finds the door is locked. She tries other entrances but they, too, are locked. Finally, a passerby sees her and calls 9-1-1. Upon arrival, you find her sitting on the steps of her porch. The passerby is sitting with her and has his coat wrapped around her shoulders. She is conscious and alert but says that her feet are numb. Which action is most appropriate for you to do when providing care to this patient?

Avoid breaking any blisters that have formed

Which mechanism for cooling the body is most affected by high humidity?

Evaporation

To prevent heat-related illnesses, which of the following is appropriate?

Exercising for brief periods with frequent rests, avoiding activities during the late morning to afternoon

You are called to the high school football practice facility where one of the athletes who has been practicing is complaining of dizziness and a throbbing headache. The weather is extremely hot and humid. You examine the athlete and suspect heat stroke based on which of the following?

Flushed, dry skin and decreasing LOC

Scenario: A 72-year-old woman goes out of her house in her bare feet, wearing only her pajamas and robe, to get the newspaper from the curb. There is snow on the ground, and the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.6 degrees Celsius). When she tries to get back into the house, she finds the door is locked. She tries other entrances but they, too, are locked. Finally, a passerby sees her and calls 9-1-1. Upon arrival, you find her sitting on the steps of her porch. The passerby is sitting with her and has his coat wrapped around her shoulders. She is conscious and alert but says that her feet are numb. Which of the following is your priority?

Getting the patient out of the cold

You would treat all scorpion stings as medical emergencies based on the understanding that:

It is difficult to tell which scorpions are poisonous

An adolescent who has been stung by a wasp begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Which of the following would least likely be found during the assessment?

Localized skin rash

Which of the following is the most important to consider before entering the water for a water rescue?

Personal safety

When the body starts to become too cold, which of the following occurs as the first response?

Superficial blood vessel constriction

Scenario: You and your partner are called to a rural camping site in response to a call about a camper being bitten by a snake on his lower leg. The patient tells you that it was a coral snake. You are preparing to transport the patient. Which of the following methods is the least appropriate to use?

Walking assist

Scenario: You and your partner are called to a rural camping site in response to a call about a camper being bitten by a snake on his lower leg. The patient tells you that it was a coral snake. Which of the following would you do first?

Wash the wound

Scenario: A 72-year-old woman goes out of her house in her bare feet, wearing only her pajamas and robe, to get the newspaper from the curb. There is snow on the ground, and the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.6 degrees Celsius). When she tries to get back into the house, she finds the door is locked. She tries other entrances but they, too, are locked. Finally, a passerby sees her and calls 9-1-1. Upon arrival, you find her sitting on the steps of her porch. The passerby is sitting with her and has his coat wrapped around her shoulders. She is conscious and alert but says that her feet are numb. Which of the following would provide further evidence to support your suspicion that she has hypothermia?

Waxy skin, skin cold to the touch