Cold Injury Standard

Question 1

What is the first course of action you should take when a patient has a cold injury?

Answer 1

Remove a patient from the cold as soon as it is safe and after completing the primary survey.

Question 2

What should you do if a patient is trapped and can’t be moved from a cold area?

Answer 2

Prevent additional heat loss (cover them with a blanket or put blanket between the patient and the ground)

Question 3

If you suspect hypothermia, how long should you check for a pulse and respirations?

Answer 3

Up to 10 seconds

Question 4

In a cold injury, what should you attempt to determine?

Answer 4

1. Duration of the exposure

2. Type of exposure

Question 5

What should you consider when performing a secondary survey for a cold injury?

Answer 5

1. Only expose area when being examined and cover once completed
2. If you suspect hypothermia, determine severity
3. If you suspect frostbite, determine severity

Question 6

What are the S/S of frostnip?

Answer 6

Mild blanching of skin

Question 7

What are the S/S of superficial frostbite?

Answer 7

Skin is white, waxy and supple

Question 8

What are the S/S of deep frostbite?

Answer 8

Skin is cold, hard and wooden

Question 9

What is an important indicator used to determine the severity of hypothermia?

Answer 9

The presence or absence of shivering

Question 10

What are some S/S of severe hyperthermia?

Answer 10

• Shivering is minimal or absent
• Decreased or markedly altered LOC
• Core temperature is below 32’C

Question 11

What should you do if a patient with a cold injury has wet or constrictive cloths and jewelry?

Answer 11

Remove the wet cloths or Jewelry unless they are frozen to skin ( if so wait until they have thawed)

Question 12

What should you do if you suspect a patient has mild to moderate hypothermia?

Answer 12

1. Wrap the patient’s body or affective parts in a blanket or foil
2. Provide external re-warming to axillae, groin, neck and head

Question 13

What should you do/don’t do if you suspect a patient has severe hypothermia?

Answer 13

1. Wrap the patient’s body or affective parts in a blanket or foil
2. Do not perform vigorous suctioning or airway manipulation as it may trigger ventricular fibrillation

Question 14

Why might a SPO2 reading be unattainable from a patient with hypothermia?

Answer 14

Poor/reduced peripheral circulation in cold extremities

Question 15

What should you do/don’t do if you suspect a patient has frostbite?

Answer 15

1. Wrap the patient’s body or affective parts in a blanket or foil
2. Don’t rub
3. Leave blisters intact
4. Dress digits separately