Solutions
What treatments are used to address heat stroke? (6)
- Rapidly lower core temp
- Monitor for dysrhythmias
- Administer 100% oxygen
- Correct electrolytes and coagulation
- Control shivering
- Monitor for rhabdomyolysis
What is the pathophysiology of frostbite? (3)
- Cold stress causes peripheral vasoconstriction
- Cell temp decreases, ice crystals in intracellular spaces
- Organelles and cell membrane destroyed, edema
What are the symptoms of superficial frostbite? (3)
- Skin waxy pale yellow, blue, mottled
- Skin crunchy and frozen
- Tingling, numbness, or burning
What treatments are used to address superficial frostbite? (4)
- Immerse area in circulating water 99 - 102 degrees
- Warm soak for facial area
- Debride and dress blisters
- Evaluate for systemic hypothermia
What are the symptoms of deep frostbite? (3)
, - Skin is white, hard, insensitive to touch
- Mottling skin progresses to gangrene
- Involves muscle, bone, and tendon
What treatments are used to address deep frostbite? (6)
- Same rewarming process as superficial
- Elevate to reduce edema
- Evaluate for systemic hypothermia
- Pain management
- Anticoagulation therapy
- Amputation
What is hypothermia?
Core temperature lower than 95 degrees
What are risk factors for hypothermia? (5)
- Exposure to freezing temps, cold wind, wet terrain
- Certain medications
- Alcohol use
- Traumatic injury and shock
- Diabetes
What are the criteria and symptoms of mild hypothermia? (6)
- 93 to 95 degrees
- Shivering
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Irrational behavior
- Minor HR changes