Transcript Heat and Cold Injuries

Heat & Cold Injuries
Generalized Cold Emergencies
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Heat loss methods include:
– Conduction
– Convection
– Evaporation
– Respiration
Cold Weather Injury
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Hypothermia
– Early stage
– Later stage
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Frostbite
– Early stage
– Later stage
Predisposing factors of hypothermia
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Injuries
Chronic illness
Shock
Burns
Head and spinal cord injuries
Generalized infection
Diabetes
Unconscious patient
Aged people
S&S
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Shivering in early stages
Reduced sensation
Stiff or rigid posture
Drowsiness
Rapid breathing and rapid pulse
Loss of motor coordination
Joint \ muscle stiffness
Decreased level of consciousness
Red skin appearance
Emergency Medical Care
Passive rewarming
 Active rewarming
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Patient Care – Alert
Remove all wet clothing
 Actively rewarm patient
 Care for shock, give oxygen
 Warm liquids slowly
 Transport patient to hosp. except in mild
cases
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Patient Care – Unresponsive
Assure open airway
 High oxygen concentration
 Warm patient in blankets
 Transport immediately
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Patent Care – Extreme Hypothermia
Assess carotid pulse
 Continue as unresponsive patient
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Localized Cold Injuries
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S & S include:
– Red skin
dark skin
whiten
– Skin numbness
Patient Care – Early (superficial)
Get patient out of cold environment
 Warm affected area
 Splint & cover extremity
 Do nor rub or message
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Frostbite
S & S: Waxy, white skin gray blue
swelling and blistering
 Rx: high O2 concentration, transport,
warming
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Heat Injuries
Patient with Moist, Pale, Normal to Cool
Skin
 Patient with Hot and Dry or Moist Skin
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Progression of Heat Injuries
Heat Cramps
 Heat Exhaustion
 Heat Stroke
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Patient with Moist, Pale, Normal to
Cool Skin / S & S
Muscle cramps (legs, abdomen)
 Weakness or Exhaustion
 Dizziness or faintness
 Rapid shallow breathing
 Weak pulse
 Heavy perspiration
 Loss of consciousness
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Patient with Moist, Pale, Normal to
Cool Skin / Care
Remove from hot environment
 Administer Oxygen
 Loosen or remove clothes
 Supine position with elevated legs (rest)
 Small sips of water (conscious)
 Apply moist towel over cramped areas
 Transport
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Patient with Hot and Dry or Moist
Skin / S & S
Rapid shallow breathing
 Full and rapid pulse
 Generalized weakness
 Little or no perspiration
 Altered mental state (loss of
consciousness)
 Dilated pupils
 Seizures present but no cramps
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Patient with Hot and Dry or Moist
Skin / Care
Remove patient from hot environment
 Remove clothing
 Administer Oxygen
 Transport immediately
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Prevention of cold weather & heat
injuries
Think of the acronym COLD
 C-Clean clothes
 O-Avoid Overheating
 L-Loose Layers of clothing
 D-Keep Dry
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Change your socks