Chapter 32 Environmental Emergencies EMT

exhibit poor themoregulation

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:

barometric pressure

a dysbarism injury refers to the signs and symptoms related to changes in:

heat cramps

are painful muscle spasms that occur with vigorous exercise, treatment includes removing the patient from the heat, resting the affected muscles, and replacing fluid loss

heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke

heat emergencies can take three forms

heat stroke

is life threatening emergency usually fatal if untreated. these patients are usually dry and will have high body temps. changes in mental status can include coma. rapid lowering of the body temp in the field is critical.

frostbite

is the most serious because tissues actually freeze

stabilize vital functions and prevent further heat loss

the key to treating patients with hypothermia

bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate

The diving reflex may allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to:

Laryngospasm following submersion in water makes rescue breathing difficult

Which of the following statements regarding drowning is correct? Hypoxia in the drowning victim initially occurs due to water in the lungs. Artificial ventilations can easily be performed in patients with a laryngospasm. Large amounts of water enter the lungs in a small number of drowning victims. Laryngospasm following submersion in water makes rescue breathing difficult

move him as a unit to a supine position

You and your partner are standing by at a large social event at a river resort when a frantic woman tells you that she found a young male floating face-down in the water. Nobody claims to have witnessed the event. After you and your partner enter the water and reach the patient, you should:

move him into the cooled ambulance

You are dispatched to a local high school track and field event for a 16-year-old male who fainted. The outside temperature is approximately 95°F (35°C) with high humidity. Upon your arrival, the patient is conscious, alert, and complains of nausea and a headache. His skin is cool, clammy, and pale. You should:

place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling

Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4°F (34°C). She is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. You should:

mottling and blisters

a frostbitten foot can be identified by the presence of

rapid breathing

a patient with a core body temp of 95F will MOST likely experience

heat loss to the atmosphere via conduction convection, evaporation, radiation and respiration

body temperature is regulated by

prone to dysrhythmias developing

do not attempt to rewarm patients who have moderate to severe hypothermia because

warm and dead

do not consider a patient dead until they are

heat exhaustion

is essentially a form of hypovolemic shock caused by dehydration. symptoms include cold, clammy skin, weakness confusion, headache and rapid pulse. treatment includes removing the patient from the heat and treating for mild hypovolemic shock

increasing the metabolic rate

shivering is a mechanisms in which the body generates heat by:

pale skin

signs and symptoms of an air embolism include of all the following

a weak, rapid pulse

signs of late heat stroke include

become a victim yourself

the first rule in caring for drowning victims is to be sure not to become a victim yourself

convection

the transfer of heat to circulating air, such as when cool air moves across the body's surface is called