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23 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Frostbite
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A condition in which the body tissues freeze; most commonly occurs in the fingers, toes, ears and nose.
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Heat cramps
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A form of heat-related illness; painful involuntary muscle spasms that occur during or after physical exertion in high heat, caused by loss of electrolytes and water from perspiration; may be a sign that a more serious heat-related illness is developing; usually affects the legs and abdomen.
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Heat exhaustion
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A more sever form of heat-related illness; results when fluid and electrolytes are lost through perspiration and are not replaced by other fluids; often results from strenuous work or wearing too much clothing in a hot, humid environment.
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Heat stroke
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The most serious form of heat-related illness; life threatening and develops when the body's cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed and body systems begin to fail.
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Hypothalamus
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Control center of the body's temperature; located in the brain.
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Hypothermia
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The state of the body being colder than the usual core temperature, caused by either excessive loss of body heat and/or the body's inability to produce heat.
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Describe how body temperature is controlled
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The hypothalamus receives information and adjusts the body temperature accordingly. If the body starts to become too cold, it responds by constricting the blood vessels close to the skin so it can keep the warmer blood near the center of the body. This helps keep the organs warm. If this does not work, the body then begins to shiver. The shivering motion increases body heat because it is a form of movement. In a warm environment, the hypothalamus detects an increase in blood temperature. Blood vessels near the skin dilate to bring more blood to the surface, which allows heat to escape.
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Identify the factors that influence how well the body maintains its temperature |
-air temperature -humidity level -wind (other factors: clothing, frequency of breaks from exposure, water intake, intensity of activity) |
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Identify the risk factors that increase a person's susceptibility to heat-related illnesses and cold-related emergencies |
-Workers (always in the elements) -Pre-existing health conditions -Medications (which eliminate water) -Consuming substances (caffine, carbonation, alcohol) -Inadequate hydration -Previous heat or cold related emergent experiences -Live in an environment not conducive to proper heat or cold -Improper clothing |
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List the signals of dehydration
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-Fatigue -Weakness -Headache -Irritability -Nausea -Dizziness -Excessive thirst -Dry lips and mouth -Disorientation or delirium -Loss of appetitie -Severe thirst -Dry mucous membranes -Sunken eyes -Dry skin that does not spring back if pinched, creating a "tenting" effect -Lack of tears -Decrease in perspiration -Dark amber urine -Unconsciousness |
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List the signals of heat cramps
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-Spasms of skeletal muscles -Normally affect the legs and abdomen -Body temperature is normal and skin is moist |
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List the signals of heat exhaustion
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-Cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin -Weakness -Dizziness -Shallow breathing -Exhaustion -Decreasing level of consciousness -Heavy sweating -Headache -Nausea -Muscle cramps |
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List the signals of heat stroke
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-Extremely high body temperature (above 104) -Flushed or red skin that can be either dry or moist -Rapid, shallow breathing -Throbbing headache -Dizziness, nausea or vomiting -Confusion -Changes in level of consciousness, unresponsiveness -Seizures |
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List the signals of frostbite
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-Lack of feeling in the affected area -Swelling -Skin that appears waxy is cold and is discolored (flushed, white, yellow or blue) -In more serious cases, blisters may form and the affected part may turn black and show signals of deep tissue damage. |
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List the signals of hypothermia
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Describe the care for frostbite
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-Handle the area gently, do not rub -do not attempt to rewarm the area if the body part may re-freeze or if you are close to a medical facility -For minor frostbite, rapidly re-warm the affected part using skin to skin contact -For more serious frostbite, rewarm the affected area by gently soaking it in water not warmer than 105. -Keep the frostbitten part in the water until normal color returns and it feels warm (about 20 to 30 minutes) -Loosely bandage the area with dry sterile dressings -If the fingers or toes are frostbitten, place dry, sterile gauze between them to keep separated. -If damage is to the feet, do not allow the person to walk -Avoid breaking any blisters -Take precautions to prevent hypothermia -Monitor for shock -Do ot give ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatories -Call 9-1-1 or seek emergency medical care ASAP |
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Describe the ways to help prevent heat-related illnesses and cold-related emergencies
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-Avoid being outdoors in the hottest or coldest part of the day -Dress appropriately for the environment -Change your activity level according to the temperature and take frequent breaks to readjust your body temperature -Drink large amounts of nonalcoholic, decaffeinated fluids before, during and after activity -Plan to drink fluids on your breaks -Do not drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol as they hinder the body's temperature regulating mechanism |
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What are the three main factors which affect body temperature?
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air temperature humidity level wind |
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Describe the care for heat cramps
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-Help the person move to a cool place to rest -Give and electrolyte, carbohydrate containing fluid, fruit juice or milk. -Lightly stretch the muscle and gently massage the area -do not give the person salt tablets (can worsen the situation) -Can return to activity once the signals stop |
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Describe the care for heat exhaustion
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-Move the person from the hot environment to a cooler environment with circulating air -Loosen or remove as much clothing as possible -If they are conscious and abl eto swallow give them small amounts of a cool fluid such as electrolytes, fruit juice, milk, water -Let the person rest in a comfortable position and watch for changes in condition -The person SHOULD NOT return to normal activities the same day -If the person's condition does not improve, loose consciousness or vomits, call 9-1-1. -Stop giving fluids and place the person in the HAINES recovery position -Watch for signals of breathing problems |
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Describe the care for heat stroke
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-Call 911 immediately as heat stroke is life threatening -Rapidly cool the body by immersing the person up to the neck in cold water or douse the person with ice water soaked towels over entire body -apply rapid cooling methods for 20 minutes or until the person's level of consciousness improves -Give care according to other conditions found -Be prepared to give CPR as needed. |
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Signals of Hypothermia
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-Shivering -Numbness -Glassy stare -Apathy or decreasing level of consciousness -Weakness -Impaired judgment -Changes in level of consciousness, unresponsiveness -Shivering without signs of rewarming is a sign that the person's condition is worsening and needs immediate medical care |
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Care for hypothermia
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-Call 911 immediately for any case of suspected hypothermia -Priority is to move the person to a warmer environment gently as any sudden movement can cause a heart arrhythmia and possible cardiac arrest -In severe cases the person may appear to be unconscious. Breathing may have slowed or stopped. CPR may need to be performed. -Make the person comfortable, remove wet clothing and dry the person off, and put on dry clothing -Warm the body gradually by wrapping in blankets -If you are far from medical care, position the person near a heat source with a barrier in between -If the person is alert and can swallow, give warm (not hot) liquids that do not contain alcohol or caffeine which cause dehydration. -Do not warm the person too quickly such as immersing them in warm water -Do not rub or massage the extremities -Check for breathing and monitor for changes in condition -Be prepared to perform CPR |
