Hypothermia Protocol

Question 1

What are the requirements of checking for a pulse with an unresponsive and hypothermic?

Answer 1

Check for a pulse for at least 60 seconds.

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of hypothermia?

Answer 2

cold, clammy, shivering, mental status changes, extremity pain, sensory abnormality, bradycardia, hypotension, shock

Question 3

What are the differentials for hypothermia?

Answer 3

Sepsis, environmental exposure, hypoglycemia, stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury.

Question 4

Walk through the steps of the hypothermia protocol BLS to ALS.

Answer 4

DRABCDE, c-spine, oxygen, remove all wet clothing, begin re-warming to prevent heat loss, check blood sugar, cardiac monitor, IV of NS, obtain and interpret 12 lead. Avoid rough handling of patient.

Question 5

What temperatures are considered “mild hypothermia”

Answer 5

34 to 35 C and 93 to 95 F

Question 6

What are the symptoms of mild hypothermia

Answer 6

maximum shivering, cold and pale skin, pulse and bp are either normal or elevated, respirations are increased, mild confusion, slurred speech, unsteady gate, amnesia

Question 7

What are the symptoms of moderate hypothermia

Answer 7

no longer shivering, cease bradycardia, decreased respirations, increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia (a-fib), intense vasoconstriction, decreased LOC, increased mortality by major trauma

Question 8

What is the temperature range considered moderate hypothermia?

Answer 8

86 to 93 F

Question 9

Severe hypothermia temperature

Answer 9

less than 86 F

Question 10

What are the symptoms of severe hypothermia?

Answer 10

intense vasoconstriction, lethal dysrhythmias (V-fib), non cardiac pulmonary edema, as core temperature decreases the risk of cardiac arrest increases.

Question 11

With temperatures below ____, ____ is a common cause of death therefore a patient must be handled carefully.

Answer 11

85, V fib

Question 12

At what temperature does shivering stop?

Answer 12

90

Question 13

Cardiac arrest patients should have what done prior to administering medications and why?

Answer 13

Have core temp warmed to at least 85 because they might build up in the system due to the metabolism being ineffective.

Question 14

Defib should be limited to how many shocks prior to warming core temperature to 85 degrees F?

Answer 14

1

Question 15

Hypothermia may cause severe ______

Answer 15

bradycardia.