Heat

Question 1

Signs of serious dehydration

Answer 1

elevated HR
dry mucous membranes
lethargy
dark yellow urine
decreased UOP

Question 2

Heat cramps - cause

Answer 2

electrolyte deficiency

Question 3

Heat cramps - tx

Answer 3

stop activity
move to shade
give fluids & electrolytes
have pt stretch or apply direct massaging pressure to affected muscle
they can resume activity when they feel ready

Question 4

Heat exhaustion - signs

Answer 4

skin is sweaty and pale or flushed
headache
nausea, vomiting
dizziness
weakness
thirst
decreased UOP
dark yellow urine
elevated HR
elevated RR
core temperature is slightly elevated or normal

Question 5

Heat exhaustion - tx

Answer 5

stop activity
move to cooler place
loosen/remove excess clothing
have them lie flat on ground
if uninjured, consider raising legs 6-12 inches
spray water or apply cool wet compresses to head/torso; fan them
if they can follow simple commands & swallow without difficulty, encourage to drink fluids (preferably with electrolytes, or if not available then water)
okay for them to sleep
resume activity when they feel better

Question 6

Heat exhaustion - evac

Answer 6

usually not needed
if they’re getting worse or not improving, slow evac
avoid self-evac

Question 7

Heat stroke - signs

Answer 7

skin very warm or hot to the touch
skin red and dry
confusion, odd behavior, difficulty communicating
headache
seizure
unconsciousness
elevated HR
fast shallow breathing

Question 8

Heat stroke - tx

Answer 8

remove heat-retaining clothing
immerse pt in cold water up to the chin; if can’t immerse, spray/pour cold water on them, fan, apply cold packs to neck/groin/armpits, cover with cold wet sheet
monitor closely & stop cooling them when mental status is normal
don’t give liquids until they’re improving
monitor closely - relapse is common

Question 9

Heat stroke - evac

Answer 9

fast evac, even if they seem better

Question 10

Dilutional hyponatremia - signs

Answer 10

headache
weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness
muscle cramps
nausea, vomiting
sweaty skin
anxiety, irritability
altered mental status
core body temperature normal or slightly elevated
normal HR
normal RR
urine is clear

Question 11

How do you differentiate between heat exhaustion and dilutional hyponatremia?

Answer 11

Dilutional hyponatremia
- pt has urinated recently
- urine is clear

Heat exhaustion
- pt hasn’t urinated recently
- urine is dark yellow

Question 12

Dilutional hyponatremia - tx for mild to moderate sxs

Answer 12

move pt to cooler/shady area
restrict fluids
encourage salty snacks
once pt is hungry, thirsty, and UOP is normal, they can resume normal activity

Question 13

Dilutional hyponatremia - evac

Answer 13

If caught early and treated, usually no evac needed
If pt has altered mental status, fast evac