FirstRanker Logo

FirstRanker.com - FirstRanker's Choice is a hub of Question Papers & Study Materials for B-Tech, B.E, M-Tech, MCA, M.Sc, MBBS, BDS, MBA, B.Sc, Degree, B.Sc Nursing, B-Pharmacy, D-Pharmacy, MD, Medical, Dental, Engineering students. All services of FirstRanker.com are FREE

📱

Get the MBBS Question Bank Android App

Access previous years' papers, solved question papers, notes, and more on the go!

Install From Play Store

Download MBBS Important Topics Environmental Emergencies

Download MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) Important Topics Environmental Emergencies for MBBS 1st Year Important Topics, MBBS 2nd Year Important Topics, MBBS 3rd Year Important Topics & MBBS Final Year Important Topics.

This post was last modified on 24 July 2021

MBBS 2021 Important Topics and Materials for 1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year and Final Year


FirstRanker.com

Drowning Definitions

  • Nonfatal drowning
    • Process of drowning interrupted
    • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Fatal drowning
    • Death from drowning
  • Water rescue
    • Submersion or immersion without evidence of respiratory impairment
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • All other terms should be avoided

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Epidemiology of Drowning

  • One of top two leading causes of accidental death in children
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • 2/3 of deaths are age < 30
  • Young children
    • Inability to swim
    • Surveillance
    • Fencing and locks
    • Pools, bathtubs
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Curiosity, play
  • Teens and adults
    • Seizures
    • Alcohol
    • Associated trauma
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Inability to swim
    • Exhaustion
    • Scuba

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Drowning Overview

  • Mammalian diving reflex (sudden cold water immersion)
    • Bradycardia, apnea
    • Shunting of blood to CNS
    • Decreased metabolism
    • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Children > adults
  • Shock is rare in drowning
    • Rule out trauma
    • C-spine precautions: Diving, multiple trauma, or unknown circumstances
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Salt vs. fresh water: no effect on survival

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Drowning Survival Factors

  • Primary factor is duration of immersion
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Also
    • Water temperature
    • Age
    • Diving reflex
    • Associated trauma
    • Associated dysbaric problems
    • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Bystander CPR
    • Water contamination

Low core temperature correlates with bad outcome

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

SCUBA Diving Contraindications

  • Asthma
  • COPD
  • Seizures
  • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Sinus and ear disease
  • Syncope
  • Panic disorder
  • Vertigo
  • Poor training
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Diving: Laws of Physics "Fizzyology"

  • Henry's Law: The amount of gas dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas in contact with the liquid
  • Dalton's Law: Partial pressure of a gas increases with increasing pressure
    • Both above - Decompression Sickness and Nitrogen Narcosis
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Boyle's Law: The volume of a gas varies inversely with the pressure
    • Squeeze Syndromes and Barotrauma

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

Barotrauma from Diving

  • Squeeze Syndromes
  • Disorders of descent (Boyle's Law)
  • Barotitis Media: "Ear squeeze"
    • Pain from pressure on the TM, due to inability to equalize pressure (blocked Eustachian tube)
  • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

  • TM can rupture with severe vertigo, N&V
  • Treatment: Nasal decongestants, maneuvers to open Eustachian tube (Valsalva, et al.)
  • Other squeeze syndromes: Sinus squeeze, facemask squeeze, eye squeeze, suit squeeze, lung squeeze

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

External / Inner Ear Barotrauma

  • External ear barotrauma
    • Due to blockage of external auditory canal by cerumen or ear plugs
  • Inner ear barotrauma
    • Hemorrhage or rupture of the inner ear round window with sensorineural hearing loss = labyrinthine window rupture
    • Severe vertigo, N/V, tinnitus, nystagmus, ataxia
    • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

    • Referral to ENT

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Pulmonary Barotrauma

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

Pulmonary Over Pressurization Syndrome

  • Rapid uncontrolled ascent (Boyle's Law)
    • Dropped weight belt
    • BC malfunction
    • Panic and charge to the surface
  • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Expansion of unvented lung gases on ascent results in a “burst lung"
    • Must exhale on ascent to "vent" the expanded gases
  • Clinical presentation
    • PTX, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium
    • Hemothorax from injured lung
    • Arterial gas embolism can occur
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Pulmonary Barotrauma

  • Arterial gas embolism or AGE (high morbidity and mortality)
    • Pulmonary overpressurization causes alveolar gas to enter systemic circulation
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Air emboli in coronary, cerebral and retinal arteries
    • Sudden and dramatic symptoms often with focal neuro findings
    • Presents on surfacing or within 10 minutes (unlike decompression sickness, which occurs gradually)
    • ALOC is the rule and seizures are common
    • Dive chamber "stat" for treatment
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Nitrogen Narcosis

  • A disorder at depth from breathing compressed air which may result in drowning
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • High concentrations of nitrogen are neurotoxic
  • Symptoms
    • Euphoria
    • Confusion
    • Disorientation
    • Poor judgment
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Diminished motor control
  • Treatment is controlled ascent to decrease the amount of dissolved nitrogen in the brain

Dalton's Law

↑ depth = ↑ partial pressure

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

Henry's Law

More gas dissolves with higher pressure

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Decompression Sickness

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

  • A disorder of ascent (gas comes out of solution)
  • At depth, increased amounts of nitrogen dissolve in blood and tissues
  • Ascending too quickly causes nitrogen bubbles to form in blood and tissues
  • A spectrum of illnesses depending on location and severity
  • Length and depth of dive are the primary determinants of risk
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Obesity is a risk factor (nitrogen is lipid-soluble)
  • Two categories: I and II (II more serious)
  • Treatment: Recompression in a chamber

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

Type I Decompression Sickness

  • Affects musculoskeletal, skin, lymphatics
  • "The Bends" or "Caisson's Disease"
  • Periarticular pain (especially elbows and shoulders) 70% of all cases
  • Pruritus, erythema, skin marbling ("cutis marmorata") from venous stasis
  • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Intravascular nitrogen bubbles cause a wide variety of presentations

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Type II Decompression Sickness

  • Central nervous system decompression sickness
    • High CNS concentration of nitrogen
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Prickly sensations in the limbs
    • Low back and abdominal pain
    • Spinal DCS: Limb paresthesias, weakness
    • Dermatome sensory distribution is common
    • Incontinence, priapism
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Headache, diplopia, dysarthria, inappropriate behavior
    • LOC is rare (it is common in cerebral air embolism)
    • Symptoms develop gradually hours after surfacing (unlike arterial gas embolism)

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Type II Decompression Sickness

  • DCS of the lungs = "The chokes"
  • Decompression shock = Vasomotor DCS
  • DCS involving cerebellum or inner ear = "The staggers”
    • Symptoms the same as inner ear barotrauma
    • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Cause: Gas bubbles in inner ear or cerebellum

All decompression syndromes develop slowly

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

Miscellaneous Ascent Disorders

  • Alternobaric vertigo
    • Occurs on ascent
    • Caused by unequal middle ear pressures
    • Transient vertigo, nausea
  • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Barodontalgia (squeeze and reverse squeeze)
    • Air trapped in a dental cavity expands on ascent, causing tooth pain
  • Gastrointestinal barotrauma
    • Serious problems are rare
    • Eructation, flatulence, bloating, abdominal cramps
    • Avoid carbonated beverages and gas-generating foods prior to diving
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Diving Injuries

  • Disorders of ascent
    • Pulmonary over pressurization syndrome
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Air embolism - sudden
    • Decompression illness - gradual
  • Disorders of descent
    • Squeeze syndromes
    • Nitrogen narcosis (at depth)
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Hyperbaric Chamber

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Recompression Therapy

  • Recompression is the definitive treatment for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism
  • Have a low threshold for treatment of DCS
    • Delayed onset of symptoms is common
    • More subtle symptoms may develop after treatment of major symptoms
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Minor symptoms may progress
    • May recompress up to 14 days after symptom onset

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

Recompression Therapy

  • Risks associated with flying
    • Commercial planes pressurized to 5,000-8,000'
    • May exacerbate all symptoms of decompression sickness
    • May result in new symptoms of decompression sickness for divers without any symptoms initially
    • No flying for 3-7 days post-treatment of DCS-1
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • No flying for 1 month post-treatment of DCS-2

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Blast Injury Classification

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Type I: Pulse of pressure (barotrauma)
  • Type II: Flying debris (penetrating trauma)
  • Type III: Flying humans (deceleration impact)
  • Type IV: Toxic gases, radiation, burns

Ear: TM rupture, ossicle disruption

--- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

Lung: Pneumothorax, air emboli

GI: Hollow viscus rupture

CNS: Concussion, air emboli

Top 4 organs

Type I injuries

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

High-Altitude Illness (1)

  • Pathophysiology of high altitude illness
    • Hypoxia-induced over perfusion and increased hydrostatic pressure with capillary leak
    • Increased sympathetic activity
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

High-Altitude Illness (2)

  • Manifestations
    • Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
    • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

    • High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
    • High Altitude Retinopathy (HAR)
    • High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
    • High Altitude Flatulent Expulsion (HAFE)
  • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Factors influencing development
    • Rate of ascent and final altitude
    • Physiology, acclimation, hydration
    • Sleeping at altitude (ventilation decreases)

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

High-Altitude Illness (3)

  • Risk factors
    • Prior history of altitude illness
    • Residence at an altitude below 900 meters
    • Pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions
      • R to L cardiac shunts (listen for a heart murmur) and intrapulmonary shunts
      • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

      • Pre-existing pulmonary hypertension / mitral stenosis
    • Exertion (physical fitness is not protective)
    • Women and age >50 have a lower incidence
  • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Acute Mountain Sickness

  • Common with rapid ascent to 8-10,000 feet
  • Headache, nausea, fatigue, insomnia +/- Gl sx
  • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Worse with drugs, alcohol, sedatives, and any respiratory depressant
  • Prophylaxis: Acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) – actual mechanism unclear
    • Renal bicarbonate diuresis and metabolic acidosis
    • Increased respiratory drive
    • Increased oxygenation since less sleep-related hypoventilation
    • Contraindicated in sulfa allergy
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Causes paresthesias, and rarely, aplastic crisis
  • Treatment: NSAIDs, steroids, oxygen, descent

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (1)

  • High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
    • Responsible for most altitude-related deaths
    • Most commonly on the second night at altitude
    • Resting tachypnea and tachycardia
    • Most patients also have mountain sickness
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Fever / rales / pink sputum / normal heart size
    • Non-cardiogenic heart failure
    • Severe hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (2)

  • Treatment of HAPE
    • Improve oxygenation with supplemental oxygen
      • If rapid reversal does not occur (failure to increase oxygen saturation to above 90% within five minutes) descent is mandatory
      • Portable hyperbaric chamber is another option
      • Noninvasive ventilation may help
      • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Nifedipine to treat pulmonary hypertension
    • Inhaled beta-adrenergics for wheezing
    • Dexamethasone is not helpful in HAPE (some recent debate exists here)
  • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

High Altitude Cerebral Edema

  • A severe form of acute mountain sickness
  • Usually associated with high altitude pulmonary edema
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Increased ICP, cerebral edema
  • Ataxia, vomiting, confusion, seizures, coma
  • Treatment
    • Descent (definitive treatment)
    • Steroids, mannitol
    • Hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag)
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

  • Environmental causes
    • HAPE
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Thermal injury
    • Drowning
  • Other causes
    • Toxins: ASA, phenobarbital, CO, opioids
    • Strangulation
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Fat emboli, amniotic fluid emboli

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia Mechanisms of Heat Loss

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Radiation: Majority of heat loss
  • Conduction: Increases 25-fold when wet
  • Convection: Wind chill, rewarming
  • Evaporation: Important heat loss mechanism in hot environments
  • Respiration: Small but obligate contribution
  • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia Physiology (1)

  • Hunter's response (CIVD)
    • Cold causes vasoconstriction to preserve heat
    • Then Cold Induced Vasodilatation
    • --- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Paradoxical undressing
  • Cold-induced diuresis
    • Distal collecting tubule dysfunction
  • Paradoxical core afterdrop (PCA)
    • Warming vasodilates periphery
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Cold, lactate-rich blood returns to core
    • Core pH and temperature drop

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

Hypothermia Physiology (2)

  • Volume resuscitate with NS
    • LR is poorly metabolized by cold liver
  • Cold coagulopathy: All coag factors and reactions are temperature-dependent
  • Glucose: High if diabetic or CVA, low if metabolized in attempt to keep warm
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • Thermogenesis: Shivering thermogenesis is lost at 26°C, leading to rapid decompensation
  • Oxyhemoglobin curve shifts to the left, increasing oxygen binding of hemoglobin

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia Definitions

--- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • Definition: core temp < 35 °C
    • 32-35 °C: Adjustments to retain and generate heat (shivering thermogenesis)
    • <32 °C: Slowdown of body functions and metabolism, decreased O2 utilization, CO2 production
  • Risk factors: Extremes of age, altered sensorium for any reason, burns, trauma

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia Clinical effects

  • Pulmonary: Increased risk for aspiration
  • CNS: Altered mental status, incoordination, confusion, lethargy, coma
  • Renal: Cold diuresis and volume loss
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • Vascular: Hyperviscosity, thrombosis, DIC
  • Pancreatitis
  • Bradycardia and slow A-fib with Osborn J waves
  • Myocardial irritability (epinephrine, dopamine and atropine not indicated)

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

EKG Consistent With Hypothermia

  • Bradycardia with an idioventricular or junctional escape rhythm
  • Prominent J waves in the anterior leads

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by‌ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Osborn "J" Wave of Hypothermia

The name "J" wave is derived from the fact that the wave begins at the "J" point of the ST segment

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest

  • Hypothermic arrest, core < 30 °C: Aggressive invasive rewarming measures (as indicated)
  • PEA versus VFib
    • Vfib, Vtach
    • Bretylium (helpful if available)
    • Amiodarone preferred to lidocaine
    • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Class III drugs which increase automaticity
  • Single shock patterns better
  • Only re-shock when core rises 1-2° C

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia External Rewarming Techniques

  • Passive external rewarming measures
    • Remove wet clothes
    • Cover with warm blanket
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Active external rewarming
    • Hot water bottles to groin and axillae
    • Radiant heaters
    • Bair hugger (blows hot air through perforated blankets – pictured)
  • Potential problems with external rewarming: paradoxical core afterdrop and acidosis
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Hypothermia Internal Rewarming Techniques

  • Active core rewarming: Core temp < 30 °C or cardiac instability evident
    • Warm humidified O2
    • Warmed IV fluids
    • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Gastric, bladder, chest or peritoneal lavage with warm NS
    • Dialysis, extracorporeal bypass rewarming
  • The patient is not dead until warm and dead (core temp > 30 °C) is false... truly dead patients cannot be rewarmed

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Frostbite

  • Frostbite: Local tissue freezing (irreversible)
  • Frostnip: Transient freezing (reversible)
  • 1st degree: Superficial, erythema, no blisters
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • 2nd degree: Full thickness, edema, erythema, clear blisters
  • 3rd degree: Hemorrhagic blisters, skin necrosis
  • 4th degree: Extension to bone
  • Early clear blebs = GOOD
  • Early hemorrhagic blebs = BAD
  • --- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Frostbite

  • Refreezing is VERY BAD
    • Causes more damage than waiting for evacuation and definitive treatment
  • --- Content provided by FirstRanker.com ---

  • ED treatment
    • Rapid rewarming: Circulating water (40 °C)
    • Blister management
      • Clear blisters should be debrided
      • Hemorrhagic blisters should be left alone
  • --- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

  • "Frostbite in January - amputate in July"
    • Conservative surgical debridement after demarcation

FirstRanker.com

FirstRanker.com

Non-freezing Cold Injuries (1)

--- Content provided by⁠ FirstRanker.com ---

  • Trench foot / immersion foot: prolonged wet feet (urine)
    • Mottled, anesthetic, pulseless foot
    • Severe pain upon rewarming/reperfusion
    • Hyperhidrosis and cold sensitivity are late findings

FirstRanker.com

--- Content provided by​ FirstRanker.com ---

FirstRanker.com

Non-freezing Cold Injuries (2)

  • Chilblains: Painful inflammatory skin lesions
    • Chronic intermittent exposure to damp non-freezing temperatures
    • Cutaneous symptoms 1-12 hours exposure
    • Hands, ears, legs, feet
    • --- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---

    • Treatment: Rewarming, nifedipine, steroids

FirstRanker.com


This download link is referred from the post: MBBS 2021 Important Topics and Materials for 1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year and Final Year

--- Content provided by‍ FirstRanker.com ---