Question

In cases of extreme hypothermia, you will find the patient unconscious, with no discernible vital signs, and skin cold to your touch with stiff joints as if they appear dead. What is the emergency care for these patients?

A. Contact medical control for input into the best treatment for this patient.
B. Assess the carotid pulse for 30 to 45 seconds; if there is no pulse, start CPR immediately and prepare to apply the AED.
C. Check distal CSM, apply warming packs to the extremities, and transport the patient.
D. Call the coroner as indications are the patient is cold and deceased, which is a definitive sign of death.

Answer 1

In extreme hypothermia, you should assess the carotid pulse for 30 to 45 seconds, start CPR if there is no pulse, and use an AED. Do not assume the patient is deceased due to the protective effects of cold on the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

In extreme cases of hypothermia, where a patient appears unconscious with no discernible vital signs, emergency care is crucial. The correct approach would be to assess the carotid pulse for 30 to 45 seconds. If there is no pulse, start CPR immediately and prepare to apply an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). It is essential not to assume the patient is deceased, as hypothermia can preserve the body's functions, and recovery is still possible even when vital signs are difficult to detect.

Extreme cold can lead to a protective 'shut down' effect in the body, reducing the need for oxygen and potentially allowing for revival even after prolonged periods. Controlled hypothermia used in medical settings also takes advantage of the reduced metabolic needs to protect organs during surgery.