Hypothermia (Nursing)
- PMID: 33760548
- Bookshelf ID: NBK568789
Hypothermia (Nursing)
Excerpt
Hypothermia is defined as an involuntary drop in body temperature below 35C. Symptoms will vary based on the severity of hypothermia. Hypothermia can be further defined based on core temperature as mild (32-35C), moderate (28-32C), severe (<28C), with some experts also categorizing certain individuals with profound (<24C) hypothermia. More severe symptoms and morbidity/mortality are associated with worsening degrees of hypothermia. Primary hypothermia occurs when a person is unable to maintain adequate heat production due to overwhelimg cold stress. Death from exposure and accidental hypothermia is not limited to regions/times of severe cold and can occur in milder climates/temperatures even occurring during summer months.
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Sections
- Learning Outcome
- Introduction
- Nursing Diagnosis
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Assessment
- Evaluation
- Medical Management
- Nursing Management
- When To Seek Help
- Outcome Identification
- Monitoring
- Coordination of Care
- Health Teaching and Health Promotion
- Discharge Planning
- Pearls and Other issues
- Review Questions
- References
References
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- Kempainen RR, Brunette DD. The evaluation and management of accidental hypothermia. Respir Care. 2004 Feb;49(2):192-205. - PubMed
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- Durrer B, Brugger H, Syme D, International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine The medical on-site treatment of hypothermia: ICAR-MEDCOM recommendation. High Alt Med Biol. 2003 Spring;4(1):99-103. - PubMed
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- Petrone P, Asensio JA, Marini CP. In brief: Hypothermia. Curr Probl Surg. 2014 Oct;51(10):414-5. - PubMed
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