NREMT® Paramedic > EMT-P (3) Trauma > Environmental Emergencies > Flashcards

Environmental Emergencies Flashcards

Learn the different interventions and causes of Environmental Emergencies (52 cards)

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1
Q

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

A

It controls and monitors the body’s temperature.

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2
Q

Define:

thermoregulation

A

The body’s ability to maintain a set temperature.

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3
Q

What is a typical BMR?

Basal Metabolic Rate

A

70 kilocalories/hr

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4
Q

Define:

evaporation

A

Conversion from liquid to gas.

E.g. sweating

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5
Q

Define:

convection

A

Transfer of energy by moving air over a liquid.

E.g. wind chill across the body

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6
Q

Define:

conduction

A

Direct physical contact transfers energy from one to the other.

E.g. jumping into a cold lake

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7
Q

Define:

radiation

A

Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Heat loss through the head.

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8
Q

Define:

thermolysis

A

Refers to the body’s process of releasing stored heat.

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9
Q

Define:

thermogenesis

A

The body’s ability to produce heat and energy.

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10
Q

How do certain medications alter the body’s ability to maintain proper thermoregulation?

A
  • Diuretics causes dehydration.
  • Beta blockers limit compensation of cardiovascular systems.
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11
Q

Define:

heat cramps

A

acute muscle spasms

It occurs from profuse sweating and sodium loss.

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12
Q

Assessment:

heat cramps

A
  • Hypotension
  • Nausea
  • Rapid pulse
  • Skin may be pale and moist
  • Normal temperature
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13
Q

Treatment:

heat cramps

A
  • Move to a cool environment.
  • Fluid replenishment
  • IV normal saline
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14
Q

Define:

heat exhaustion

A

Heat stress and volume depletion.

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15
Q

Assessment:

heat exhaustion

A
  • Temperature of < 104 °F
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Cramping
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16
Q

Treatment:

heat exhaustion

A
  • Passive Cooling
  • Fluids
  • Supine with legs elevated
  • Oral hydration
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17
Q

Define:

heat stroke

A
  • core body temperature > 104°F
  • altered mental status
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18
Q

Assessment:

heat stroke

A
  • CBT of > 104°F
  • Altered mental status
  • Dry and flushed skin
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypotension or normotensive
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19
Q

Treatment:

heat stroke

A
  • Remove the patient from the offending environment.
  • Strip the patient’s clothing.
  • Apply ice packs or wet towels to the neck, armpits, and groin.
  • Fan the patient.
  • Administer fluid resuscitation.
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20
Q

Define:

frostbite

A

Ischemic injury to tissues due to exposures to extremely cold temperatures.

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21
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of superficial frostbite?

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A
  • Altered sensation
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Burning
  • White/waxy
22
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of deep frostbite?

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A
  • hard skin and tissues
  • skin color: yellow, mottled blue, white
  • loss of sensation
23
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of Gangrene?

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A

skin color: black or mottled black

Gangrene causes permanent tissue damage.

24
Q

Treatment:

frostbite

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A
  • Get the patient out of the cold.
  • Remove wet clothing.
  • Do not rub or massage the affected area.
  • Cover with a dry, sterile dressing.
  • Administer pain management.
  • Consider rewarming the area if there’s no risk of refreezing.
25
# Define: Trench Foot
Extended exposure to **wet** and **cold** environments.
26
# Define: hypothermia
core body temperature of **< 35°C**
27
# Define: mild hypothermia
core body temperature of **34-36°C**
28
# Treatment: mild hypothermia
Passive rewarming
29
# Define: moderate hypothermia
core body temperature of **30-34 °C**
30
# Define: severe hypothermia
core body temperature of **< 30°C**
31
# Treatment: severe hypothermia
* Administer warm IV fluids. * Provide warm, humidified oxygen. * Perform warm cavity lavage. * Implement passive or active rewarming techniques.
32
How is **hypothermia** classified based on **body temperature in degrees Celsius**?
* Mild: **34-36 °C** * Moderate: **30-34 °C** * Severe: **< 30 °C**
33
# Fill in the blank: Every **33 feet below sea level** is \_\_\_ atmosphere(s).
1
34
What are the **associated considerations** in a **freshwater** drowning?
**Bacteria** and **infection** from the water.
35
What are the **associated considerations** in a **saltwater** drowning?
Hypertonic saltwater can **draw fluid into alveoli**, worsening edema.
36
What is **barotrauma**, and how does it occur?
An injury caused by **ascending too quickly** to the surface which causes the **lung tissue to expand** too quickly. ## Footnote It can cause pneumothorax.
37
# Define: decompression sickness
**Nitrogen** within the blood is **forced into the tissues** of the body.
38
# Treatment: decompression sickness
hyperbaric chamber
39
# Define: altitude illness
**The effects of altitude** on the body due to a **decrease in atmospheric pressure**.
40
What are the **signs/symptoms** of **acute mountain illness**?
Headache associated with fatigue, weakness, GI symptoms, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping.
41
What are the **signs/symptoms** of **high-altitude pulmonary edema**?
At least **two** of the following: * Dyspnea * Cough * Weakness * Chest tightness * Wheezing * Rales * Tachypnea
42
What are the **signs/symptoms** of **High Altitude Cerebral Edema**? | HACE
Altered mental status, such as confusion, lethargy, or ataxia.
43
# Define: The Lichtenburg Figure
Lightning strands burned into the skin.
44
What type of snakes are **crotalids**?
pit vipers ## Footnote E.g. Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths (venomous snakes)
45
What type of snakes are **elapids**?
coral snakes
46
What are the **characteristics** of a **venomous** and **non-venomous** snake?
**_Venomous_**: * Vertical pupils * Two fangs * Pit between the eye **_Non-venomous_**: * Round pupils * Double row of teeth
47
# Treatment: venom
* Clean the wound with antimicrobials. * Immobilize the extremity. * Remove jewelry. * Administer CroFab (antivenom).
48
# Assessment: **Brown Recluse** vs. **Black Widow** bite
**_Brown Recluse_:** * Bites are painless * Sloughing of skin * Necrotic lesion * Nausea/vomiting * Fever **_Black Widow_**: * Instant pain * Local muscle spasm * Abdominal spasms * Nausea/vomiting * Respiratory difficulty
49
# Treatment: stingray injury
Soak the affected area in hot (not scalding) **fresh/salt water**.
50
# Treatment: jellyfish sting
Rinse the affected area with **saltwater**. ## Footnote Avoid fresh water, which may trigger stingers.
51
What **insect** can cause **Lyme Disease** from its bite?
tick
52
How do you properly remove a **tick**?
* Use curved forceps. * Grasp the tick by its head, as close to the skin as possible. * Pull straight up with steady pressure. * Dispose of the tick in a container of alcohol.
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