emt-basic curriculum module 4

State of WisconsinEMT-Basic: A Practice BasedApproach to EMS Educationj) Low to absent blood pressurek) Poor judgement - patient may actually remove clothingl) Complaints of joint/muscle stiffnessm) Skin(1) Red - early(2) Pale(3) Cyanotic - blue-gray(4) Stiff/hard3. Emergency medical care for generalized hypothermiaa) Remove the patient from the environment - protect thepatient from further heat lossb) Remove wet clothing and cover with blanketc) Handle the patient extremely gently. Avoid roughhandling.d) Do not allow the patient to walk or exert himselfe) Administer oxygen if not already done as part of the initialassessment - oxygen administered should be warmedand humidified, if possiblef) Assess pulses for 30-45 seconds before starting CPRg) If the patient is alert and responding appropriately,actively rewarm(1) Warm blankets(2) Heat packs or hot water bottles to the groin,axillary and cervical regions(3) Turn the heat up high in the patient compartmentof the ambulanceh) If the patient is unresponsive or not respondingappropriately, rewarm passively:(1) Warm blankets(2) Turn the heat up high in the patient compartmentof the ambulancei) Do not allow the patient to eat or drink stimulantsj) Do not massage extremitiesB. Local cold injuries - localized to specific area of body1. Predisposing factors2. Tend to occur on the extremities and exposed ears, nose, andface3. Signs and symptoms of local cold injuriesa) Local injury with clear demarcationb) Early or superficial injury(1) Blanching of the skin - palpation of the skin inwhich normal color does not return(2) Loss of feeling and sensation in the injured area(3) Skin remains soft(4) If rewarmed, tingling sensationc) Late or deep injuryModule 4-74