Environmental Injuries

What is hypothermia?

• AHigh body temperature
• BNormal body temperature
• CAbnormally low body temperature, typically below 35°C✓
• DNever occurs in the UK

Answer: Hypothermia is when the body's core temperature drops below 35°C. It can occur in any cold environment and is life-threatening.

What are the signs of hypothermia?

• AOnly shivering
• BShivering, confusion, slowness, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness in severe cases✓
• COnly confusion
• DOnly loss of consciousness

Answer: Signs include violent shivering, confusion and disorientation, slurred speech, slow movement, memory loss, and progressive loss of consciousness.

What is the appropriate first aid for hypothermia?

• ASubmerge in warm water immediately
• BGradually warm the person, handle gently, remove wet clothing, apply warm blankets, and call 999✓
• CRub the skin vigorously
• DGive alcohol to warm them

Answer: Handle gently, remove wet clothing, wrap in warm blankets, insulate from the ground, give warm drinks if conscious, and call 999. Avoid rapid warming.

Why is rapid warming dangerous in hypothermia?

• AIt is not dangerous
• BIt can cause afterdrop (further temperature drop) and cardiac arrhythmias✓
• CIt causes burns
• DIt speeds up recovery too much

Answer: Rapid external warming can cause 'afterdrop' (peripheral vasodilation causing core temperature to drop further) and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances.

What is heat stroke?

• ANormal body temperature
• BA serious condition with body temperature above 40°C, characterized by loss of sweating and confusion✓
• COnly a minor condition
• DNever life-threatening

Answer: Heat stroke is a serious condition where the body temperature rises above 40°C. The person stops sweating, becomes confused, and can lose consciousness.

What are the signs of heat stroke?

• AOnly feeling hot
• BNo sweating despite heat, high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, and possible seizures✓
• COnly heavy sweating
• DOnly headache

Answer: Signs include high body temperature, cessation of sweating (hot dry skin), confusion, irritability, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.

What is the appropriate first aid for heat stroke?

• AGive salt tablets
• BCool the person rapidly using water, ice, or fanning, and call 999✓
• CGive warm drinks
• DCover them with blankets

Answer: Cool the person rapidly by applying ice, using tepid water, or fanning. Remove unnecessary clothing, call 999, and monitor temperature.

What is heat exhaustion?

• AThe most severe heat-related illness
• BA less severe condition than heat stroke, characterized by heavy sweating and weakness✓
• CCaused by eating hot food
• DNot related to temperature

Answer: Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive fluid through sweating. It causes dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, and can progress to heat stroke.

What are the signs of heat exhaustion?

• ANo sweating
• BHeavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, and body temperature around 38-40°C✓
• CDry skin
• DLoss of consciousness immediately

Answer: Signs include heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, weakness, dizziness, rapid pulse, headache, and normal or slightly elevated body temperature.

What is the appropriate first aid for heat exhaustion?

• AKeep them in the heat
• BMove to a cool place, lie down with legs elevated, give cool fluids, and cool the skin✓
• CGive salt tablets only
• DApply heat

Answer: Move to a cool place, lie down with legs elevated, drink cool water gradually, cool the skin with water/fanning, and monitor condition.

What is drowning?

• ABeing in water
• BLoss of consciousness and breathing caused by water in the airway✓
• CSwimming in the sea
• DNever fatal

Answer: Drowning occurs when water enters the airway and prevents breathing. It can happen quickly and silently, especially in children.

What are the signs of someone who is drowning?

• ACalling for help loudly
• BGasping, struggling to stay upright, inability to call for help, and loss of coordination✓
• COnly splashing
• DRelaxation in water

Answer: Signs include gasping, struggling to stay afloat, inability to call out, head back at water level, glassy eyes, and loss of horizontal body position.