In this chapter you will learn about the following: Describe the basic structure of the legal system in the United States, relate how laws affect the paramedic’s practice, list situations that a paramedic is legally required to report in most states, describe the four elements involved in a claim of negligence, describe measures paramedics may take to protect themselves from claims of negligence. | 9/11/2012 1 Chapter 45 Environmental Conditions 2 Learning Objectives • Describe the physiology of thermoregulation. • Discuss the risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of specific hyperthermic conditions. • Discuss the risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of specific hypothermic conditions and frostbite. 3 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 1 9/11/2012 Learning Objectives • Discuss the risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of submersion and drowning. • Identify the mechanical effects of atmospheric pressure changes on the body based on a knowledge of the basic properties of gases. • Discuss the risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of diving emergencies and high‐altitude illness. 4 Thermoregulation • Maintenance of body temperature, even under variety of external conditions – Body temperature is regulated in brain by thermoregulatory center • Located in posterior hypothalamus • Receives information from central thermoreceptors in or near anterior hypothalamus and from peripheral thermoreceptors in skin and some mucous membranes • Peripheral thermoreceptors are nerve endings usually categorized as cold receptors and warm receptors • Cold receptors are stimulated by lower skin‐surface temperatures 5 Thermoregulation • Maintenance of body temperature, even under variety of external conditions – Body temperature is regulated in brain by thermoregulatory center • Warm receptors are stimulated by higher skin‐surface temperatures • Information from these receptors is transmitted by spinal cord to posterior hypothalamus • Posterior hypothalamus responds with appropriate signals to help body reduce heat loss and increase heat production (cold receptor stimulation) or increase heat loss and reduce heat production (warm receptor stimulation) 6 Copyright © 2013 by Jones &
