ECTSI 13th Edition Vocab - Chapter 32 - Environmental Injuries

Air Embolism

The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.

Ambient Temperature

The temperature of the surrounding environment.

Antivenin

A serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect.

Bends

A common name for decompression sickness.

Breath-Holding Syncope

Loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing stimulus.

Conduction

The loss of heat by direct contact (eg, when a body part comes into contact with a colder object).

Convection

The loss of body heat caused by air movement (eg, a breeze blowing across the body).

Core Temperature

The temperature of the central part of the body (eg, the heart, lungs, and vital organs).

Decompression Sickness

A painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues; see bends.

Diving Reflex

The slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water.

Drowning

The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid.

Dysbarism Injuries

Any signs and symptoms caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in various tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body.

Evaporation

The conversion of water or another fluid from a liquid to a gas.

Frostbite

Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten.

Heat Cramps

Painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment.

Heat Exhaustion

A heat emergency in which a significant amount of fluid and electrolyte loss occurs because of heavy sweating.

Heatstroke

A life-threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by warm, dry skin; severely altered mental status; and often irreversible coma.

Homeostasis

A balance of all systems of the body.

Hymenoptera

An order of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants, and yellowjackets.

Hyperthermia

A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101°F (38.3°C) or more.

Hypothermia

A condition in which the body's core temperature falls below 95°F (35°C).

Radiation

The transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy; for example, heat gain from a fire.

Respiration

The inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exchanges carbon dioxide from fresh air.

Reverse Triage

A triage process used in treating multiple victims of a lightning strike, in which efforts are focused on those who are in respiratory and cardiac arrest. Reverse triage is different from conventional triage, where such patients would be classified as deceased.

Toxin

A poison or harmful substance.

Turgor

The ability of the skin to resist deformation; tested by gently pinching skin on the forehead or back of the hand.