Symptoms
What is a symptom of sunburn?
Changes in skin colour, skin feeling hot to touch, pain and or itching, swelling, fluid-filled blisters, broken blisters that peel to expose tender skin, nausea and vomitting
Reassure, 4x4x4 method
A young boy arrives after a long beach trip where he was swimming with his shirt off. His back is bright red with blisters, and his skin is hot to the touch. What condition is this?
sunburn stage 2
What is the normal SpO2 (blood oxygen) level for an individual?
95-100%
Myth or fact: You should put ice directly on sunburn
Myth
High body temp (40 or above), Red hot dry skin (no sweating) Dry swollen tongue, Rapid pulse Dizziness, Headache, Nausea, vomiting, Collapse, Seizure, sweating stopping, Loss of consciousness
Where do you place icepacks on a person experiencing heat stroke?
Neck, Armpits, Groin
A patient at a sports event is sweating heavily and looks unwell. They are moved to shade and given water. They say they feel better, but their skin remains pale and they are still weak when standing. What is the condition/concern?
heat exhaustion
Heart Rate, Resp Rate, Blood pressure?
HR- decreases
RR- decreases
BP- decreases
Myth or fact: The body loses heat faster when wet.
Fact
What may happen to someones pupils if they are suffering from severe hypothermia?
pupils stop reacting to light
How would you treat a patient who has slipped over and cut their knee?
assess the scene and determine if you will be safe to treat (not fall too, etc)
apply pressure to the site with clean gauze
A hiker in cool weather complains of fatigue, slow reactions, and difficulty concentrating. They are also slightly dehydrated from limited water intake. It’s unclear whether their main issue is cold exposure or exhaustion. What is the most appropriate primary concern to treat first?
Hypothermia risk (prioritise temperature over fatigue/dehydration)
For a patient experiencing heat exhaustion - what is the expected effect (increasing/ decreasing ) on their vital signs of :
Heart Rate, Temperature, and Respiratory rate?
HR: increases
TEMP: increases temp above 37 degrees
RR: increases (hyperventilation)
Myth or fact: Shivering is a sign your body is trying to warm itself
Fact
What is a symptom of severe hypothermia?
Unconscious / not responding, no pupil reaction to light (PEARL), slowed and or irregular heartbeat, rigid muscles, hard to detect pulse or resp rate
What are the oral rehydration principles for treating dehydration?
1. small frequent sips
2. avoid large or very sugary drinks
A person has been in hot conditions for a long period. They are no longer sweating, but still talking and walking slowly. Bystanders assume they are recovering because they are no longer actively sweating heavily.What mistake might observers make here?
Misinterpreting loss of sweating as improvement instead of deterioration (possible heat stroke onset)
For SpO2 (Blood oxygen vital) what is it called when there is low levels of oxygen?
hypooxemia
Myth or fact: Pouring ice-cold water on someone is the best immediate treatment for heat exhaustion
Myth (cool water gradually, not extreme cold)
What is a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Headache, Dizziness or weakness, Nausea/vomiting, Shortness of breath, Confusion or altered consciousness, Chest pain, Unconsciousness
How would you treat someone who was just rescued from the water if it is suspected they were drowning?
dangers-> assess patient on their back with their head and body at the same level ->DRSABCD -> breathing = recovery pos, non breathing = CPR -> closely monitor
A participant in an outdoor event has been alternating between hot sun and cold shaded areas. They present with headache, confusion, and fluctuating temperature complaints. They have been drinking water regularly but still appear worse over time. There is no clear single environmental exposure. What is the most likely issue, and why is it harder to identify?
Early severe heat illness / stroke (mixed exposure masking progression; hydration alone not preventing thermoregulation failure)
What is the result of a capillary refill/blanching test for a stage 4 sunburn and what does it indicate?
result: non return/no blanching
indicates: severe capillary damage, destruction of the blood vessels, or blood leaking into the surrounding tissue
Myth or fact: Rapidly rewarming someone with hypothermia is the safest option.
Myth. Risk of shock