Hs and Ts – Hypothermia Video

Video at a Glance

• There are three main causes of hypothermia: extreme exposure to cold, cold water submersion, and exposure to cold with thermo-regulator issues.
• Mild hypothermia is 34-36 degrees C. The patient will be shivering.
• Moderate hypothermia is 30-34 degrees C. The patient will have a loss of mental capacity. They will also lose their ability to shiver.
• Severe hypothermia is a body temperature of less than 30 degrees C. The patient will lose consciousness. Respiration will stop, and there will be no pupil reflex.
• Profound hypothermia is a body temperature of less than 20 degrees C. Essentially, the person is frozen, and there are no signs of life. The cardiac monitor will show asystole, and there will be no brain activity.
• In all cases of hypothermia, the practitioner should provide passive rewarming. That involves taking them into a warm environment and taking off their cold clothes. Keep in mind, the patient generates the heat. This can be assisted by putting a blanket on them but no additional heat other than the environment.
• For moderate hypothermia, provide active external warming. This can be accomplished using warm packs on the groin, armpits, and head. But be careful because they can burn a patient. Therefore, make sure there is a barrier between the heat pack and the patient.
• For severe hypothermia, introduce active internal rewarming, including warm IV fluids and lavages. ECMO is also an excellent treatment option.
• Medications are ineffective if the patient’s body temperature is less than 30 degrees C.