A patient who was found in the snow with impaired consciousness, no shivering, and a body temperature of 28°C is being transported by life flight helicopter to a hospital with rewarming resources. The patient warms to 30°C en route to the hospital, and the nurse cautions the team to move the patient gently, explaining that at this body temperature:
A) the bones are brittle and can fracture easily.
B) the skin is fragile and tears easily.
C) the heart is irritable and susceptible to ventricular fibrillation.
D) the muscles become rigid and can cause fractures and joint injury.
C) the heart is irritable and susceptible to ventricular fibrillation.
Explanation: A) Cardiac irritability is one of the most serious hazards of treatment, and the risk for dysrhythmia increases in a specific range of core temperatures. As the patient rewarms to 30°C, accumulations of pooled lactic acid enter the circulation and produce acidosis. In addition, ventricular fibrillation related to cardiac hyperirritability during hypothermia is triggered by rough handling or vagal stimulation associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation that involves chest compression.
B) Cardiac irritability is one of the most serious hazards of treatment, and the risk for dysrhythmia increases in a specific range of core temperatures. As the patient rewarms to 30°C, accumulations of pooled lactic acid enter the circulation and produce acidosis. In addition, ventricular fibrillation related to cardiac hyperirritability during hypothermia is triggered by rough handling or vagal stimulation associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation that involves chest compression.
C) Cardiac irritability is one of the most serious hazards of treatment, and the risk for dysrhythmia increases in a specific range of core temperatures. As the patient rewarms to 30°C, accumulations of pooled lactic acid enter the circulation and produce acidosis. In addition, ventricular fibrillation related to cardiac hyperirritability during hypothermia is triggered by rough handling or vagal stimulation associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation that involves chest compression.
D) Cardiac irritability is one of the most serious hazards of treatment, and the risk for dysrhythmia increases in a specific range of core temperatures. As the patient rewarms to 30°C, accumulations of pooled lactic acid enter the circulation and produce acidosis. In addition, ventricular fibrillation related to cardiac hyperirritability during hypothermia is triggered by rough handling or vagal stimulation associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation that involves chest compression.
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