Environmental Emergencies & Drowning Response

Heat stroke is a severe condition where the body loses its ability to regulate temperature, resulting in a dangerously high core body temperature. Heat exhaustion is a less severe condition, and the body can still sweat.

Lower core body temperature using cold water immersion or ice packs. Administer cold fluids, monitor temperature closely, and look for irregular heartbeats. Maintain airway and breathing.

Hypothermia is when body temperature drops below normal, causing blood to thicken, increasing risk of clots, heart attack, and pulmonary emboli.

Remove cold clothes, use warm blankets, and employ active warming methods (warm fluids, bear huggers) or passive warming (blankets, warming rooms) to slowly raise body temperature.

Drowning in cold water slows down bodily functions, increasing the chance of survival.

Drowning can cause pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) due to decreased surfactant and damaged alveoli-capillary membranes.

Cat bites often involve deep puncture wounds and increased risk of infection, while dog bites can affect larger areas due to the mouth's size.

Puncture wounds, especially those near joints or on extremities, often warrant prophylactic antibiotics (antibiotics to prevent infection).

The most critical and unstable patient with a life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention. This patient needs immediate treatment and resources, usually requiring resuscitation.

A rapid assessment of a trauma patient's vital functions: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure. It helps quickly identify life-threatening conditions.

A more thorough assessment of a trauma patient after addressing immediate life threats. It involves complete head-to-toe examination, vital signs, and investigations like lab tests, imaging, and monitoring.

A serious condition where the body's immune system overreacts to an infection, causing widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction.

A worsening form of sepsis with signs of organ dysfunction and a high lactate level. This stage requires urgent medical intervention.

A condition with low white blood cell count, particularly neutrophils, making the body more susceptible to infections.

A condition characterized by low platelet count, leading to increased bleeding risk. Cautious handling and prophylactic measures are critical.

High calcium levels in the blood, often seen in cancer patients, especially those with bone cancer. Treatment focuses on excretion and management.

To manage a sting, first assess the severity. Remove any stinger using a flat object or blade. Check if the person has been stung multiple times, and if they have any allergies. If allergic, administer epinephrine, an antihistamine, and steroids. Remove restrictive items like rings and watches to prevent swelling and potential complications.

A serious complication of chemotherapy where dying cancer cells release their contents into the bloodstream, leading to high levels of potassium, phosphate, and uric acid, and low calcium. This can cause kidney damage and metabolic acidosis.

Symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome include hyperkalemia (high potassium), hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate), hypocalcemia (low calcium), and metabolic acidosis. It typically occurs 24-48 hours after chemotherapy.

In case of poisoning, prioritize ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) before decontamination. Brush off powder before showering the victim to avoid unwanted reactions. Call poison control for specific instructions and follow their guidance. Consider administering activated charcoal if appropriate.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion. This condition occurs when the body releases too much antidiuretic hormone (ADH), causing the kidneys to retain water and dilute the blood.

Opioid overdose is characterized by pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness (LOC), respiratory depression, seizure activity, and hypoxia.

A life-threatening condition where a tumor or blood clot blocks the superior vena cava, the major vein that carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart.

Treat opioid overdose with NARCAN, which is an opioid antagonist, and carefully monitor ABCs.

Spinal cord injuries involve both primary and secondary damage. Primary injuries are the visible ones, like head lacerations. Secondary injuries are more concerning because they are internal and may lead to long-term complications.

Spinal cord compression is a neurologic emergency that occurs when a tumor presses on the spinal cord. It causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area. The pain is worse when lying down and improves when sitting up.

Secondary injuries involve edema, ischemia, and inflammation. Edema compresses the spinal cord and cuts off blood flow. The phrenic nerve can be affected, compromising breathing.

Spinal shock is characterized by loss of deep tendon reflexes, sphincter reflexes, sensation, and paralysis below the level of the injury. It occurs immediately after the injury but the true extent of damage won't be known until swelling subsides.

The severity of spinal cord injuries cannot be fully assessed until the swelling subsides, which can take days or weeks.

A life-threatening condition caused by spinal cord injury at T6 or above, leading to dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include decreased cardiac output, venous pooling, low blood pressure, temperature dysregulation, and skin changes.

Injuries at C3-C5 can affect the diaphragm, crucial for breathing. Injuries at T6 and above may lead to bradycardia and vulnerability to vagal nerve stimulation.

A potentially life-threatening condition occurring in patients with spinal cord injuries at or above T6. It involves severe hypertension, headache, nausea, and excessive vasoconstriction.

A serious condition where air accumulates in the space between the lung and the chest wall, putting pressure on the heart and lungs. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate decompression.

A chest injury involving multiple broken ribs, allowing the chest wall to move paradoxically. This affects breathing and can be life-threatening.

Long bone fractures can cause significant blood loss and risk of infection. Crush injuries can lead to compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis, potentially causing kidney damage.

A brain injury caused by trauma, often with long-term neurological consequences.

Traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition affecting mental and emotional wellbeing following a traumatic event.