Nursing 104

N104: Essentials of Nursing Care – Health Safety Study Guide o Heating pads can be a fire hazard or can cause burns on sensitive skin. o Water temperature should be carefully monitored and set as low as possible, while providing sufficient hot water for family use. Particularly at risk are children, the elderly, and individuals with diminished sensation in their extremities. o Hyperthermia and heat related injuries can be caused with extended exposure to heat. The most common cause is heat stroke. Heat stroke is an acute condition of hyperthermia that is caused by prolonged exposure to excessive heat or heat and humidity. The heat- regulating mechanisms of the body eventually become overwhelmed and unable to effectively deal with the heat, causing the body temperature to climb uncontrollably. • Cold injuries: Hypothermia is a condition in which the core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions. Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of 36.5–37.5 °C (98–100 °F) through the biologic thermoregulation. If exposed to cold and the internal mechanisms are unable to replenish the heat that is being lost, a drop in core temperature occurs. As body temperature decreases, characteristic symptoms occur including shivering, mental confusion, slurred speech, stumbling, drowsiness, weak pulse, and shallow respirations. Hypothermia usually occurs from exposure to low temperatures, and is frequently complicated by alcohol. Any condition that decreases heat production, increases heat loss, orimpairs thermoregulation, however, may contribute. Thus, hypothermia risk factors include any condition that affects judgment (hypoglycemia), the extremes of age, poor clothing, chronic medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism and sepsis), substance abuse, homelessness, and living in a cold environment. Hypothermia also occurs frequently in major trauma and severe cases of anorexia nervosa. Rewarming can be achieved using a number of different methods including passive external rewarming, active external rewarming, and active internal rewarming. o Passive external rewarming involves the use of a person's own heat generating ability through the provision of properly insulated dry clothing and moving to a warm environment. It is recommended for those with mild hypothermia. o Active external rewarming involves applying warming devices externally, such as warmed forced air. In austere environments, hypothermia can sometimes be treated by placing a hot water bottle in both armpits and groin. It is recommended for moderate hypothermia. o Active core rewarming involves the use of intravenous warmed fluids, irrigation of body cavities with warmed fluids, use of warm humidified inhaled air, or use of extracorporeal rewarming such as via a heart lung machine. Radiation Hazards Radiation injury can occur with exposure to radiation in any form. The injury from the radiation is related to the time the individual is exposed to the radiation source, the proximity of the person to the source, and the use of protective shields to protect against exposure. Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It occurs naturally in sunlight and sound waves. Man-made radiation is used in x-rays, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants, and cancer treatment. Exposure to small amounts of radiation over a long time can raise the risk of cancer. It can also cause mutations in genes. Large amounts of radiation over a short period of time, such as from a radiation emergency, can cause burns or radiation sickness. Symptoms of

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