#367: The Hypothermic Patient

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), causing the body to lose more heat than it generates. While it's commonly linked to exposure to cold environments, it can also result from medical conditions or medications. In this episode you’ll learn:  How the body regulates temperature - The hypothalamus controls body temperature, but what happens when things go wrong? Learn how the body fights to stay warm and why certain conditions and behaviors can disrupt this process. Medical and medication causes of hypothermia - Did you know conditions like hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, or burns can cause hypothermia? Certain medications, including antipsychotics and opioids, can also impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature.  Signs and symptoms of hypothermia - From mild confusion and shivering to severe cardiac arrhythmias and coma, hypothermia manifests in different stages. Discover the early warning signs and understand when it becomes a medical emergency. What’s the best way to measure core temperature? - Not all thermometers are created equal! Find out the most accurate methods for measuring core body temperature and why they’re vital in treating hypothermic patients. Treatment for hypothermia - Learn the key strategies for treating hypothermia based on its severity. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of hypothermia, its causes, symptoms, and life-saving treatments. Click the play button now! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Nursing School Thrive Guide - Get the book that many nursing students consider the ultimate survival guide for nursing school! Available in paperback, Kindle and audio formats. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  Episode on DIC - Learn about disseminated intravascular coagulation, which can be a complication of hypothermia. Register to vote! - Register to vote or check your voter registration so you can stay involved and show your support of the issues you care about!  💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices