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Environmental Emergencies Flashcards

7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Environmental Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. A 4-year-old is brought in after playing in a hot car for 45 minutes. Temperature is 41.2°C (106.2°F), skin is hot and dry, and the child is confused. Which cooling method is MOST appropriate as initial therapy?

    Answer: Evaporative cooling with misting fans and cool water spray

    Evaporative cooling (misting cool water with fan) is the fastest, most effective, and best-tolerated method for classic heat stroke in children.

  2. A 10-year-old swimmer is rescued from a cold lake (water temperature 10°C). Core temp is 30°C, the child is shivering vigorously, and is conscious but confused. This presentation represents which stage of hypothermia?

    Answer: Mild hypothermia (Stage I)

    Mild hypothermia (32–35°C) is characterized by shivering, confusion, and preserved consciousness.

  3. During a lightning strike incident, a 9-year-old has no pulse and is apneic. Which resuscitation principle is UNIQUE to lightning-strike cardiac arrest compared to other causes?

    Answer: Prioritize resuscitation of the apparently dead over those who appear alive

    In lightning mass-casualty events, reverse triage applies — those in cardiac arrest from lightning have a high survival rate and should be resuscitated first.

  4. A 7-year-old presents after a jellyfish sting with tentacles still on the skin. What is the CORRECT first step in management?

    Answer: Rinse with seawater and remove tentacles with a card or forceps

    Seawater rinse (not fresh water) followed by mechanical removal of tentacles with a card prevents further nematocyst discharge.

  5. A 6-year-old with sickle cell disease presents after prolonged sun exposure with priapism and fever of 38.8°C. Which environmental factor most likely precipitated this complication?

    Answer: Dehydration-induced hemoconcentration and sickling

    Dehydration from heat exposure causes hemoconcentration, increased blood viscosity, and sickling, precipitating vaso-occlusive crisis including priapism.

  6. A 3-year-old is found unconscious in a backyard pool. After rescue and CPR restoration of pulse, the child has a respiratory rate of 32 with crackles bilaterally. SpO₂ is 88% on room air. What is the PRIMARY concern in the next 24 hours?

    Answer: Secondary drowning from delayed pulmonary edema

    Secondary drowning (pulmonary edema with progressive respiratory failure) can develop hours after a submersion event and requires monitoring and respiratory support.

  7. A 13-year-old football player collapses during summer practice with a rectal temperature of 40.8°C, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and altered mental status. Labs show Na 128 mEq/L. What fluid intervention is MOST appropriate?

    Answer: Hypertonic saline (3%) at 1–2 mL/kg/hr

    Symptomatic hyponatremia with altered mental status in heat stroke requires cautious correction with hypertonic saline to prevent cerebral herniation from cerebral edema.