Ch. 15 - Environmental Illnesses - FR

While the human body is equipped with mechanisms for regulating body temperature, emergencies still occur when the body is overwhelmed by extremes of heat and cold. Illnesses caused by exposure to extreme temperature occur in stages but can rapidly become life threatening. If a patient shows any signs or symptoms of a heat- or cold-related illness, note the weather conditions and the patient’s activities to determine whether they might be related. Immediate intervention can prevent the condition from worsening and becoming life threatening.

Transcript

1. Ch 15 – Pg 277
2. Heat-Related Illness Heat Exhaustion • When the body’s temp rises and thermoregulatory responses are activated to compensate • Early sign that temp-regulating mechanisms are becoming overwhelmed • Sweating is profuse Heat Stroke • Occurs when S&S of heat exhaustion are ignored • When the body’s temp-regulating mechanisms are overwhelmed and begin to stop functioning • Sweating stops because the body’s fluid levels are low Ch 15 – Pg 281
3. S&S of Heat Related Illness Ch 15 – Pg 282
4. Treatment for Heat-Related Illness Ch 15 – Pg 281-283
5. Cold-Related Illness Ch 15 – Pg 284-285 Occur when the body’s heating mechanisms are overwhelmed by prolonged or extreme cold. Hypothermia is when the body core temperature decreased from a normal 37°C to <35°C, and can be life-threatening when <28°C. There are four distinct stages of cold stress. The S&S of each stage build upon those of the previous stage. If severe hypothermia is suspected, check ABC’s for 60 seconds.
6. Cold-Related Illness Ch 15 – Pg 284-285
7. Treatment for Hypothermia • Rapid Transport Category • Handle patient gently and keep in a horizontal position. • If patient is responsive, allow them to sit up, provide a warm sugary, non-alcoholic beverage. Ch 15 – Pg 284-286
8. Hypothermia Wrap 1. Place an external vapour barrier on the ground 2. Place an insulation pad down 3. Place any additional insulation down 4. Place a plastic or foil sheet on the insulation 5. Gently place patient on top, apply warm water bottles or heating pads to the patient’s upper torso, and close each layer. 6. Cover the patient’s head and neck If heat sources are not immediately available, you can open the wrap once they are ready and the close the wrap again. Ch 15 – Pg 286-287
9. Frost Nip A local and superficial condition that occurs when skin, usually on the face, is exposed to cold and begins to freeze. If the tissues below the skin begin to freeze as well, is can escalate to frostbite. • Skin may appear pale • There may be pain or stinging in the area Treat by warming the area against warm skin or in warm water (38-40°C) Ch 15 – Pg 286, 288
10. Frostbite Extremities are particularly prone to frostbite (toes, feet, fingers, hands, ears and nose). Water inside and between the body’s cells begin to freeze and swell. Ice crystals and swelling begin to damage or destroy the body’s cells, blood vessels, and nerves. • Skin that appears white or waxy • Skin that is cold and hard to the touch • A lack of feeling in the affected area After the area is thawed, the patient may experience a burning sensation, redness, pain, tenderness, and blisters. Ch 15 – Pg 286, 288
11. Treatment of Frostbite • Handle the affected area gently • Do not rub the area or apply snow or ice • Thaw only if you are certain it will not refreeze • Warm by submerging in a container of warm water (38-40°C), keeping away from the bottom or sides • If warm water is not available, use direct contact with warm skin of either the patient or responder • If patient is responsive, rehydrate them • Treat pain by advising an NSAID (ibuprofen) • Protect the area with dry, sterile, non- adherent dressings Ch 15 – Pg 286, 288
12. Responsive Drowning Patient Signs: • Struggling in the water • Submersion will occur repeatedly • Vocalization will be minimal/non-existent • Not use their legs to move forward or tread water • Vertical in the water, usually trying to rise out of the water • Flailing arms • Limited forward motion • Expression of fear Ch 15 – Pg 288
13. Rescue: Water rescues should be performed by individuals who have been specifically trained for such situations. Otherwise, you can attempt to rescue from land: 1. Talk: instruct and encourage the patient 2. Throw: a rope/buoyant object 3. Reach: with a rigid object Ch 15 – Pg 288-289 Responsive Drowning Patient
14. Once the patient is rescued: • Perform primary and secondary assessments and provide care for any conditions found • Rapid Transport Category • All survivors of drowning incidents must be assessed by a physician immediately, regardless of how rapid the recovery may seem Ch 15 – Pg 289-290 Responsive Drowning Patient
15. Drowning • If the scene is safe to enter, rescue the unresponsive drowning patient • Attempt resuscitation if… • Water temp <6°C and known submersion time is <90min • Water temp 6-10°C and known submersion time is <30min • Attempt to resuscitate even if they have been submerged for a prolonged period. Patients have been successfully resuscitated even after being submerged in cold water for >30min. • Rapid Transport Category Ch 15 – Pg 291