When preparing to cool a patient who is to begin therapeutic hypothermia, which intervention will the nurse plan to do (select all that apply)?
a. Assist with endotracheal intubation.
b. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
c. Begin continuous cardiac monitoring.
d. Obtain an order to restrain the patient.
e. Prepare to give sympathomimetic drugs.
ANS: A, B, C
Cooling can produce dysrhythmias, so the patient's heart rhythm should be continuously monitored and dysrhythmias treated if necessary. Bladder catheterization and endotracheal intubation are needed during cooling. Sympathomimetic drugs tend to stimulate the heart and increase the risk for fatal dysrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. Patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia are comatose or do not follow commands so restraints are not indicated.
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