Treat Hypothermia
Important Information
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Severe Hypothermia - Body temperature below 32o Celsius;
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Mild Hypothermia - Body temperature below 34o Celsius;
A person suffering from severe hypothermia may be disoriented, confused, uncoordinated or completely unresponsive
A person suffering from mild hypothermia may be conscious and alert, yet shivering and displaying slightly impaired coordination
Treat hypothermia that alters a patient's consciousness or impairs their coordination as a medical emergency; Follow primary care procedures
A severely hypothermic patient may be breathing or have a pulse at such a low rate and intensity that it is difficult to detect; Therefore, resuscitation attempts should never be abandoned until the patient has been rewarmed
Patient Care; Severe Hypothermia
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STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Has the patient been exposed to a cold environment?
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THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Is there a warm, dry area nearby?
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ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
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Perform a primary and secondary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care AB-CABS
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Do not move the patient unless it's necessary to prevent further heat loss; Handling may cause an irregular heartbeat
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Remove wet clothing without jostling the patient and cover them with warm blankets or thick clothing
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Continue to monitor the patient's Cycle of Care until EMS arrives; Monitor and record vital signs
Patient Care; Mild Hypothermia
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Move the patient to a warm, dry sheltered area and wrap them in warm blankets or clothes
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If they are wet provide them with dry clothing; Give warm, nonalcoholic, non caffeinated drinks
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Continue to support the patient until completely rewarmed; Monitor and record vital signs