Unit 3

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of heat stroke?

Dehydration from excessive sweating

Exposure to extreme cold temperatures

Failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body (correct)

Inadequate blood circulation

Which symptom is NOT associated with heat stroke?

Frostbite of extremities (correct)

Altered menstrual status

Cerebral edema

Hot dry skin

What is the most important initial intervention for a patient with heat stroke?

Administer IV fluids immediately

Perform a cold water immersion

Establish airway, breathing, and circulation (correct)

Monitor cardiac rhythm

Which of the following interventions is appropriate for treating frostbite?

Protect and elevate the warmed part Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible risk factor for frostbite?

Mental health disorders Signup and view all the answers

What should NOT be done when rewarming a frozen extremity?

Run the extremity under hot water Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to prevent complications related to vasoconstriction?

Caffeine Signup and view all the answers

Why should potassium levels be monitored in a patient with frostbite?

Because damaged cells can release potassium Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for cooling a patient with heat stroke?

Using cooling blankets and ice packs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is no longer recommended for treating poison ingestion due to the risk of aspiration?

Syrup of ipecac Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended initial treatment for a patient who has ingested a corrosive agent?

Dilute with milk or water Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential complication of using cathartics in poison ingestion cases?

Electrolyte imbalances Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is the antidote for opioid overdose?

Naloxone Signup and view all the answers

What clinical manifestation is associated with opioid overdose?

Pinpoint pupils Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a priority in the management of poisoning?

Resource allocation for long-term care Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the poison is unknown?

Call the local poison control center Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT commonly associated with hepatic failure?

Hemorrhagic bullae Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended first step in the management of a snake bite?

Remove constrictive items Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is most effective for snake bites when administered within 4 hours?

Antivenin Signup and view all the answers

What symptom signifies the onset of serum sickness following treatment for envenomation?

Fever and rash Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of infection for anthrax?

Skin contact Signup and view all the answers

Which class of medication is contraindicated within 6 to 8 hours after a snake bite?

Corticosteroids Signup and view all the answers

For monitoring purposes, how often should the circumference of an extremity be measured after a snake bite?

Every 30-60 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic is NOT mentioned as a treatment option within 24 hours of anthrax exposure?

Azithromycin Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration for treatment with Cipro or Doxy for individuals exposed to cutaneous anthrax?

60 days Signup and view all the answers

In emergency triage, which category represents the most urgent condition requiring continuous nursing surveillance?

Resuscitation Signup and view all the answers

Which triage category should be prioritized second, involving significant injuries that require medical care but are not immediately life-threatening?

Yellow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a condition categorized as 'Black' in triage?

Patients with no pulse and cardiac arrest Signup and view all the answers

How often should patients categorized as 'Emergent' be reassessed according to the Emergency Severity Index?

Every 15 minutes Signup and view all the answers

In a disaster triage scenario, what does the 'Green' category represent?

Minimal injuries with treatment delay possible Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'Red' category designation in disaster triage indicate?

Life-threatening but survivable conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of triage in disaster situations?

To do the most good for the most people. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heat Stroke

Pathophysiology: Failure of the body's heat-regulating mechanisms
Signs and Symptoms (S/s): Confusion, altered mental status, hot dry skin, cerebral edema (leading to seizures, delirium, or coma), anhidrosis (lack of sweating)
Management: IV fluids, cooling (slowly to <102°F within 1 hour), remove clothing, ice packs, cooling blankets, continuous temperature monitoring, strict I&O (input and output), 12-lead EKG, monitor cardiac rhythm, and frequent LOC and vital sign assessment. Na+ and K+ replacement due to hyponatremia and hypokalemia.
Priority Interventions: ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) first, remove clothing, apply cooling measures, potentially cold IV fluids.

Frostbite

Pathophysiology: Tissue freezing from exposure to extreme cold, affecting both intracellular and extracellular fluids.
Signs and Symptoms (S/s): Frozen extremities (hands, feet, nose, ears, cheeks) appear hard, cold, and insensitive to touch, often white or mottled blue-white.
Risk Factors (RF): Occupational or recreational exposure to cold (e.g., skiing), homelessness, certain medical conditions (mental health disorders), alcoholism, or smoking, impaired mobility.
Management: Avoid hot water, massage, or placing wet gauze on affected area. Remove restrictive clothing/jewelry. Electrolyte monitoring, potassium levels, educate patients on vasoconstrictors (caffeine, alcohol, tobacco). Controlled and rapid rewarming is instituted. Hourly active motion and elevation to reduce swelling. Pain management.

Poison Ingestion

Syrup of Ipecac: No longer used due to aspiration risk, especially for corrosive poisons.
Treatment: Dilute corrosive agents with milk or water. Gastric lavage, Activated charcoal, cathartics are rarely indicated for corrosive poisons. Monitor VS, F/E, CVP Monitor.
Clinical Manifestations: Oral pain, vomiting, ulceration, drooling, abdominal pain, and dysphagia.

Anthrax

Transmission: Can spread through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation.
Precautions: Standard precautions, as it does not spread from person-to-person. Avoid aerosolizing, care in handling contaminated materials.
Treatment: Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Penicillin, or Doxycycline for 60 days.

Triage

Purpose: Determine severity of illness to prioritize treatment in large-scale emergencies.
Categorization: Levels 1 (most urgent/resuscitation), 2(urgent), 3(urgent [not immediately dying]), 4(non-urgent), and 5(minor/fast-track). Categorized based on the need for intervention.

Snake Bites

Clinical Manifestations: Swelling, edema, echymosis (bruising), hemorrhagic bulla (blisters), necrosis (tissue death) at the site of envenomization.
Treatment: Remove constrictive items, clean the wound, apply a light sterile dressing, immobilize below the heart. Tetanus and analgesics may be required. Labs (CBC, UA, coagulation studies) and monitoring.

Other (general):

Compartment Syndrome: Measure extremity circumference every 30-60 minutes for 48 hours to monitor for compartment syndrome in suspected injuries.

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Description

This quiz covers the critical aspects of heat stroke and frostbite, focusing on their pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and management strategies. Test your knowledge on the priority interventions required in these medical emergencies and the appropriate care techniques for affected patients.