Environmental

Question 1

What is the optimal core temperature range for human function?

Answer 1

36°C to 37.3°C.

Question 2

What physiological shift occurs in hyperthermia?

Answer 2

A right shift in the oxygen–haemoglobin dissociation curve (more O₂ offloaded to tissues).

Question 3

Name two minor heat-related conditions.

Answer 3

Heat rash and heat oedema.

Question 4

How is heat exhaustion managed?

Answer 4

Active cooling, fluid and electrolyte replacement, move to cool area, oral/IV rehydration.

Question 5

What defines heat stroke?

Answer 5

Core temperature >40.5°C + altered mental status due to heat-induced encephalopathy.

Question 6

What is a key feature of severe dehydration?

Answer 6

Little or no urination, dry skin, sunken eyes, hypotension, rapid pulse.

Question 7

What is exercise-associated hyponatremia?

Answer 7

A condition from low sodium levels during/after exercise, can lead to seizures and coma.

Question 8

How is hyponatremia managed?

Answer 8

Sit upright, provide high-flow O₂, monitor for seizures, IV NS (not hypotonic fluids).

Question 9

What is frostbite and how is it classified?

Answer 9

Freezing injury; classified from 1st (superficial) to 4th degree (full thickness incl. bone).

Question 10

What is the treatment priority for frostbite?

Answer 10

Remove from cold, prevent further heat loss, dry area, rewarm only if long transport.

Question 11

What defines hypothermia?

Answer 11

Core body temperature <35°C.

Question 12

What are the stages of hypothermia based on temperature?

Answer 12

Mild: 35–32°C

Moderate: 32–30°C

Severe: <30°C

Question 13

How is drowning defined?

Answer 13

Respiratory impairment from immersion in liquid.

Question 14

What is the first critical response in drowning?

Answer 14

Establish airway, provide high-flow oxygen or ventilate if GCS is low.

Question 15

What is the “diving reflex”?

Answer 15

Parasympathetic response slowing HR and causing vasoconstriction

Question 16

What is acute mountain sickness (AMS)?

Answer 16

Hypoxia from altitude, may lead to cerebral/pulmonary oedema

Question 17

What causes barotrauma in divers?

Answer 17

Failing to exhale during ascent—air expands causing lung injury

Question 18

What is decompression illness (DCI)?

Answer 18

Gas bubble formation due to rapid pressure changes, leads to symptoms like “the bends.”

Question 19

What are the three main types of venom effects?

Answer 19

Coagulopathic, neurotoxic, and myopathic.

Question 20

How is snakebite managed prehospitally?

Answer 20

Apply pressure bandage with immobilisation (PBI), monitor for symptoms, administer antivenom when indicated.

Question 21

What is the common treatment for marine envenomation?

Answer 21

Hot water immersion therapy for pain relief.

Question 22

What are the 5 mechanisms of lightning injury?

Answer 22

Direct strike, side flash, contact, ground current, upward streamer.

Question 23

What is a Lichtenberg figure?

Answer 23

A fern-like skin pattern from lightning injury.

Question 24

What is the reverse triage method in lightning strikes?

Answer 24

Prioritise patients in cardiac arrest as they may have recoverable ROSC.

Question 25

what are some clinical presentations of mild hypothermia ?

Answer 25

32-35 degrees body temp - decreased respiratory rate - lethargy -weakness -slurred speech -ataxia -shivering may cease

Question 26

key clinical presentation of moderate hypothermia

Answer 26

30 -32 degrees - muscle rigidity - poor reflexes - dilated pupils -hypotension -bradycardia

Question 27

clinical presentation of severe hypothermia:

Answer 27

(<30 degrees) flaccid muscles fixed pupils arrhythmias cardiac arrest

Question 28

Clinical features of drowning

Answer 28

- cyanosis hypoxia acidosis loss of consciousness / altered level of consciousness obstructed airway wheezing pulmonary oedema - absent / weak pulse

Question 29

considerations with cardiac arrest secondary to drowning / immersion

Answer 29

airway - suction , tracheal intubation to prevent aspiration + ventilate BVM - call for back up - lateral position to clear airway Breathing - avoid pressing on the stomach drying pt off to get pads to adhere temperature: with hold adrenaline if patient is below 30 degrees don't attempt to empty the stomach - gastric distention

Question 30

what is atmospheric pressure

Answer 30

pressure of atmospheric gas and water at any given altitude or depth

Question 31

what is barotrauma ?

Answer 31

pressure exerted by the atmosphere against an object as measure by a barotrauma

Question 32

Acute Mountain sickness / altitude sickness

Answer 32

develoment of hypoxia due to altitude - decrease in partial pressure of oxygen influenced by altitude, rate of ascent , duration at altitude and individual tolerance can lead to oedema formation - can be life threatening if it leads to cerebral oedema or pulmonary oedema.

Question 33

mx of altitude related sickness

Answer 33

descend

Question 34

what is barotrauma

Answer 34

diver's breathe air which has been compressed due to the pressure of the water, as they ascend the pressure reduces, if they fail to breath out the pressure can cause barotrauma in the lungs

Question 35

what is nitrogen narcosis?

Answer 35

neurodepressant effect of high levels of nitrogen on the human body. can lead to death or altered conscious state which leads to dangerous behaviour

Question 36

Decompression sickness

Answer 36

nitrogen absorbed into the body's tissue doesn't diffuse from the tissue back into the bloodstream and be eliminated by the lungs. nitrogen stays as bubbles in the tissue, blood or lymph system.

Question 37

Arterial gas embolism

Answer 37

bolus of gas / air withi the blood vessels, may be caused by over- inflation of the lungs following chest injury,

Question 38

pulmonary barotrauma

Answer 38

Ijury produced as the result of volume increases in air-filled cavities expanding on ascent