Chapter 12
Content
Tanvi Patel Ms.Alogna MRT / 45B 4/24/12 Chapter 12 Key Terms 1. Drowning: suffocation because of submersion in water or other fluids 2. Frostbite: partial or complete freezing of the skin an deeper tissues caused by exposure to the cold 3. Heat Cramps: muscle spasms that usually occur after vigorous exercise in hot weather and are generally relieved by rest and drinking water 4. Heat Exhaustion: form of shock that occurs when the body loses too much water and too many electrolytes through very heavy sweating after exposure to heat. 5. Heatstroke: condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that occurs when the body’s mechanisms for heat release are overwhelmed. Untreated heatstroke can result in death. 6. Hypothermia: condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95°F after prolonged exposure to cool or freezing temperatures. 7. Laryngospasm: spasm of the muscles of the larynx or vocal cords resulting in an inability to breathe. 8. Submersion Injury: Injury resulting from being underwater or other fluids. Assessment in Action 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. D 6. C 7. A 8. Panic and Fatigue 9. The mammalian diving reflex may have been activated and so they can still come back. 10. In early hypothermia, the patient is cold, shivering, has a decreasing level of consciousness, and sleepiness. In later hypothermia, there is a lack of coordination, decreased level of consciousness, mental confusion, and slowed reactions. Objectives 1. S & S of Heat Cramps: involuntary muscle spasms, dehydration, and change in electrolytes 2. Treatment of Heat Cramps: move patient to cool place, have the patient lie down and rest affected muscles, give patient water or Gatorade. If cramps don’t go away, arrange for transport to medical facility 3. S & S of Heat Exhaustion: lightheadedness, dizziness, weak pulse, profuse sweating, nausea.
4. Treatment of Heat Exhaustion: move patient to cooler place, treat for shock, provide liquids if conscious and not nauseated. Monitor ABCs and arrange for prompt transport. 5. S & S of Heatstroke: high body temperature, dry skin, hot and red skin, semi or unconsciousness. 6. Treatment of Heatstroke: Maintain ABCs, move from heat to cool place, remove clothes to underwear, and soak with water. Give small amounts of water if conscious and not nauseated. 7. S & S of Frostbite: numbness, bright red color then pale white, white and waxy skin, and swelling and blisters. 8. Treatment of Frostbite: warm the frostbitten area by placing it next to a warm body part. Such as putting frozen fingers under armpits. With deeper frostbites, take off jewelry and cover extremity with dry clothing or dressings. Arrange for prompt transport. 9. S & S of Hypothermia: patient is cold, shivering, has a decreasing level of consciousness, and sleepiness. In later hypothermia, there is a lack of coordination, decreased level of consciousness, mental confusion, and slowed reactions. 10. Treatment of Hypothermia: move patient to a warmer location, remove wet clothing and place warm blankets over and under the patient to retain body heat. Also give them warm liquids if conscious. If outdoors, try to get into a warm car ASAP. If not, then do best to help patient retain body heat until transport arrives. 11. If a patient’s temperature goes below 80 degrees, CPR will be necessary. CPR should always be conducted on a hypothermic patient because they may seem dead but the hypothermia actually keeps them from death. 12. S & S of Submersion Injury: coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. 13. Treatment of Submersion Injury: once the patient is out of the water, correct and ABCs. Begin CPR if needed or assist with breathing or provide oxygen. Dry the patient and then cover them to retain body heat. Conduct secondary assessment and reassessments until transport arrives. 14. S & S of Lighting Injuries: cardiac irregularities and cardiac arrest. You Make the Call Scenario 1: The patient is not moving so I need to get him out of the water. The temperature is not high enough for heatstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or any other heat related problems. There is however a chance of frostbite or hypothermia. After using the reach, throw, row, and go sequence, I get the patient out. The patient was experiencing a submersion injury so he needs to be treated. I will correct and assist his ABCs. Once he gains consciousness, I will administer oxygen at high flow. Then I will dry him and wrap him to help retain his body heat. Because he was drowning, he must be taken to the hospital. While I wait for EMTs, I will conduct a secondary assessment and reassessments as needed.
4. Treatment of Heat Exhaustion: move patient to cooler place, treat for shock, provide liquids if conscious and not nauseated. Monitor ABCs and arrange for prompt transport. 5. S & S of Heatstroke: high body temperature, dry skin, hot and red skin, semi or unconsciousness. 6. Treatment of Heatstroke: Maintain ABCs, move from heat to cool place, remove clothes to underwear, and soak with water. Give small amounts of water if conscious and not nauseated. 7. S & S of Frostbite: numbness, bright red color then pale white, white and waxy skin, and swelling and blisters. 8. Treatment of Frostbite: warm the frostbitten area by placing it next to a warm body part. Such as putting frozen fingers under armpits. With deeper frostbites, take off jewelry and cover extremity with dry clothing or dressings. Arrange for prompt transport. 9. S & S of Hypothermia: patient is cold, shivering, has a decreasing level of consciousness, and sleepiness. In later hypothermia, there is a lack of coordination, decreased level of consciousness, mental confusion, and slowed reactions. 10. Treatment of Hypothermia: move patient to a warmer location, remove wet clothing and place warm blankets over and under the patient to retain body heat. Also give them warm liquids if conscious. If outdoors, try to get into a warm car ASAP. If not, then do best to help patient retain body heat until transport arrives. 11. If a patient’s temperature goes below 80 degrees, CPR will be necessary. CPR should always be conducted on a hypothermic patient because they may seem dead but the hypothermia actually keeps them from death. 12. S & S of Submersion Injury: coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. 13. Treatment of Submersion Injury: once the patient is out of the water, correct and ABCs. Begin CPR if needed or assist with breathing or provide oxygen. Dry the patient and then cover them to retain body heat. Conduct secondary assessment and reassessments until transport arrives. 14. S & S of Lighting Injuries: cardiac irregularities and cardiac arrest. You Make the Call Scenario 1: The patient is not moving so I need to get him out of the water. The temperature is not high enough for heatstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or any other heat related problems. There is however a chance of frostbite or hypothermia. After using the reach, throw, row, and go sequence, I get the patient out. The patient was experiencing a submersion injury so he needs to be treated. I will correct and assist his ABCs. Once he gains consciousness, I will administer oxygen at high flow. Then I will dry him and wrap him to help retain his body heat. Because he was drowning, he must be taken to the hospital. While I wait for EMTs, I will conduct a secondary assessment and reassessments as needed.
