Question

A 30-year-old male was rescued after being lost in the woods for approximately 18 hours. The outside temperature is 30°F (-1°C). He is immediately placed in the warmed ambulance, where you perform a primary assessment. He is unresponsive, pale, and apneic. You should:

A.apply chemical heat packs to his groin and axillae.B.assess for a carotid pulse for up to 60 seconds.C.apply an AED and assess his cardiac rhythm.D.open his airway and give two rescue breaths.

Answer 1

In cases of suspected hypothermia, ensuring the airway is open and providing rescue breaths is critical. The carotid pulse should be checked for up to 60 seconds due to potential bradycardia, and an AED should be used to assess cardiac rhythm.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a medical emergency where an individual is found unresponsive, pale, and apneic in a cold environment, the first step is to open the airway and provide two rescue breaths to ensure that oxygen is being delivered to the patient's lungs. Hypothermia can cause life-threatening conditions, and the victim's carotid pulse should be assessed for up to 60 seconds, given that hypothermia can slow heart rate significantly making the pulse harder to detect. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are essential in cardiac arrest situations, and the cardiac rhythm should be assessed to determine if defibrillation is needed. While warming measures like applying chemical heat packs to the patient's groin and axillae might be beneficial, they should not delay the essential steps of securing the airway, breathing, and circulation.