Environmental Emergencies Quiz

Lower core temperature, use cold water immersion if possible, apply ice packs, administer cold fluids, monitor temperature and for dysrhythmias, provide 100% oxygen, and monitor urine output.

Inability to sweat, high core temperature.

Remove cold clothes, use warm blankets, active warming (warm fluids, bear huggers), and passive warming (blankets, warm room temp). Monitor ABCs and cardiac monitor, watch urine output.

Maintain body temperature between 86°F and 90°F (29.4°C to 32.2°C).

Monitor ABCs, administer oxygen, and warm if necessary. A cervical collar might be needed.

Cat bites lead to deep puncture wounds, increasing infection risk.

Dog bites cause broader, more extensive injuries due to their mouth structure.

Puncture wounds or wounds near joints on hands/feet, 6-12 hours old, require antibiotics.

Remove the stinger, assess for allergies, administer epinephrine, antihistamines, and steroids as needed. Remove restrictive items like rings.

Brush off any powders, give a shower (carefully addressing ABCs first), and call poison control for guidance.

Activated charcoal can bind to toxins for elimination through the digestive system, but only in appropriate cases. Consider the patient's bowel health.

Pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness (LOC), slowed breathing, seizures, or hypoxia are potential signs.

Administer Narcan (naloxone), and monitor the person's breathing and other vital signs.

Primary injuries are visible (e.g., head lacerations), whereas secondary injuries (edema, ischemia) can lead to long-term effects.

Edema compresses the spinal cord, reducing blood supply and potentially causing permanent damage and breathing issues (e.g. phrenic nerve)

Spinal cord swelling following an injury leads to lost reflexes, sensation, and paralysis below the injury.

A life-threatening condition caused by spinal cord injuries (T6 and above) disrupting the sympathetic nervous system leading to decreased cardiac output, venous pooling, low blood pressure (systolic below 90), temperature dysregulation, and flushed warm skin followed by cold and clammy extremities.

Spinal cord injuries at C3, C4, and C5 affect the diaphragm, requiring respiratory assistance. Injuries at T6 and above can lead to bradycardia, making the patient highly susceptible to orthostatic hypotension.

A life-threatening complication in patients with spinal cord injuries at T6 or above, characterized by severe hypertension, headache, nausea, and vasoconstriction. Triggered by stimuli below the injury level, like a full bladder or bowel.

A life-threatening condition where air accumulates in the chest cavity, compressing the lung and heart. Characterized by tracheal deviation, dyspnea, JVD, and decreased cardiac output.

A severe injury where multiple consecutive ribs are fractured, causing paradoxical chest wall movement (inward movement during inspiration).

Do not remove impaled objects in abdominal injuries.

Focuses Abdominal Sonography for Trauma, an ultrasound used to assess abdominal injuries in trauma patients.

A serious condition that occurs when pressure within a muscle compartment increases, restricting blood flow and potentially damaging tissues. Caused by large bone fractures, crush injuries, and other types of tissue damage.

A system used to categorize trauma patients based on severity of injury and urgency of care needed. Level 1 is most severe and requires immediate attention, with levels increasing numerically as severity decreases.

A rapid assessment of life-threatening conditions in a trauma patient. It focuses on ABCDE: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neurological status), and Exposure (removing clothing for inspection).

A more thorough examination of a trauma patient after stabilizing their life-threatening conditions. This includes a head-to-toe assessment, detailed vital signs, and investigations like lab tests and imaging.

A spectrum of illness caused by a severe infection. It progresses from SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) to Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock, and ultimately to MODS (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome).

A blood test indicating the body's ability to utilize oxygen. Levels above 4 are concerning for severe sepsis due to inadequate oxygenation.

A condition where the white blood cell count (especially neutrophils) is low, making the patient more vulnerable to infections.

A condition with low platelet count, leading to increased bleeding risk.

Elevated calcium levels in blood, commonly seen in cancer patients, especially those with bone cancer. It can cause various complications like dehydration, kidney failure, and cardiac issues.

Treatment involves increasing calcium excretion through fluids (saline), medications like bisphosphonates to lock calcium in bones, and promoting mobility.

A dangerous complication of chemotherapy where the rapid breakdown of tumor cells releases large amounts of chemicals into the bloodstream, causing electrolyte imbalances (high potassium, high phosphate, low calcium), metabolic acidosis, and kidney damage.

A condition where the body produces too much antidiuretic hormone (ADH), causing the body to retain too much water, leading to low sodium levels (hyponatremia) and symptoms like confusion, decreased reflexes, and mental status changes.

A condition where the superior vena cava (a major vein carrying blood from the head, neck, and arms to the heart) is blocked, typically by a tumor. Symptoms include swelling in the face, neck, and arms, headache, and shortness of breath.

A serious condition where a tumor presses on the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, numbness, and paralysis. The pain is typically worse when lying flat and better when sitting up.

Severe burns, especially those involving the mouth and throat, can lead to swelling and airway obstruction. Intubation is crucial to ensure a clear airway and avoid a life-threatening situation.