Heat related illness/injury
What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke?
Hot, dry skin; altered mental status; rapid pulse; headache; nausea; and possible loss of consciousness. Sweating may stop, and body temperature can rise above 104°F.
What can make you more likely to get frostbite?
Exposure to cold temperatures, wet clothing, poor circulation, fatigue, old age, dehydration, or certain medical conditions can increase the risk. Not dressing properly for the cold is also a major factor.
Describe a partial thickness burn.
A burn that damages the top layers of skin (epidermis and part of the dermis), causing redness, pain, swelling, and blisters.
Describe a superficial burn.
A burn that affects only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness, pain, and sometimes minor swelling, but usually no blisters.
What is a contusion?
A bruise, caused by bleeding under the skin due to trauma, without breaking the skin.
What can high humidity make it difficult for the body to do?
Cool itself through sweating, because moisture in the air slows the evaporation of sweat, trapping heat in the body.
What parts of the body are unlikely to get frostbite?
Areas close to the body’s core, such as the chest, abdomen, and head, because they stay warmer from better blood flow and body heat.
How are burns classified?
Burns are classified by depth (superficial, partial-thickness, full-thickness) and sometimes by the cause (thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation).
What type of pain is associated with different burn depths?
Superficial burn: Painful, tender, and red.
Partial-thickness burn: Very painful with blistering.
Full-thickness burn: Often painless because nerve endings are destroyed.
What percentage of an adult patient’s front torso accounts for when using the Rule of Nines?
18% of the body’s total surface area.
What is the most essential treatment for heatstroke?
Rapid cooling of the patient, using cool water, ice packs, or fanning, while maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation.
With heat exhaustion, what will the patient’s body temperature be?
It is usually close to normal, but can be slightly elevated.
What does the body do if you have a lot of fluid loss?
The body tries to maintain blood pressure and circulation by increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and retaining water, which can eventually lead to shock if fluids aren’t replaced.
Describe amputation
The removal of a body part, either due to injury, medical condition, or surgery.
What should you do first if a patient has dry chemical on their clothes or skin?
Brush off the dry chemical carefully, then rinse the affected skin with plenty of water to prevent further injury.