Psych, toxicology, enviro, drowning

Snake bite treatment

Rinse, ice pack, maybe tourniquet, ALS, and transport

Sting treatment

Remove stinger, rinse, monitor of allergic rxn, ALS, transport

CO2 poisoning

Is a nonirritating, tasteless, colorless, odorless gas that decreases O2 in bloodstream (take place on Hb) and inhibits use of little O2 on Hb; initially is flu-like with dizziness and AMS, can lead to temp blindness, hearing loss, convulsions, and coma; quickly evacuate and do ABOCs

Cyanide

Poison that can interfere with O2 at cellular level and can kill in a few mins; smell bitter almonds; get burning sensation in mouth/throat; have headache, confusion, and irritation with poss seizures, acidosis, cardiac dysrhythmias, and pulmonary edema; treatment is to remove contaminated clothes, ABOCs and ALS

Acids and Alkalis

Create pain on contact and tissue dies immediately at burn site; if acid is ingested, see burns on mouth, ABD pain, and poss perforation of stomach; alkalis is less immediate rxn and tends to burn deeper; remove contaminated clothes and flush patient with water

Orlowski score

Predicts likelihood patient will survive drowning neurologically intact

Dry drowning

10-15% of drownings where aspiration is prevented by spasm/closing of larynx

Wet drowning

Water can be aspirated and absorbed; see pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and surfactant dysfunction

Mammalian diving reflex

Is a slowing of metabolism that increases chance of resus; due to diving into cold water where vessels constrict, breathing is inhibited, but heart and brain blood flow is kept

Dysbarism

Med conditions from changes in ambient pressure

Decompression sickness

Is a condition of bubbles forming from dissolved gases (nitrogen) coming out of body from decompression; the bubbles damage cells and organs; can obstruct circulation like emboli; have joint pain and AMS; need transfer to isobaric chamber

Barotrauma

Occurs during ascent/descent where air pressure in body’s air cavities increases too much and damages tissues

Heat cramps

Localized muscle spasms from loosing too much salt during sweating; can be from overexertion or stretching; drink electrolyte water and rest

Heat exhaustion

Is from extreme physical exertion in hot/humid enviro that disturbs body’s blood flow; body systems and heat-dissipating mechs start failing; cool, pale, and sweaty skin; actively cool and give liquids only if alert (ALS too)

Heat stroke

Is a condition if deterioration from hyperthermia where heat-reg mechs can’t cool sufficiently; skin typ becomes hot and dry (tho sometimes moist) with AMS; actively cool and give liquids only if responsive

Generalized hypothermia

Increased risk if low temp/wind chill/moisture, age extremes, med conditions, alcohol/drug use, longer exposure, poor clothing, and activity level (movement makes heat but can only do for so long without fuel); Have internal temp under 95 F, cold skin, and AMS; initially shiver, goosebumps, and increased metabolic rate as compensatory mechs; if alert, actively warm; if no, passively warm; ALS

Localized hypothermia (frostbite)

Occurs when ice crystals for between skin cells and then expand with extracted cell fluid; See white, solid skin; if no chance if refreeze, rapidly thaw with 104 F water (keep same temp by adding more water and keep stirring)- skin will turn purple to grayish-blue, call ALS and transport