Asked by Michelle Welzant on Sep 24, 2024
Verified
What is the priority nursing action for a patient suspected to be hypothermic?
A) Assess vital signs.
B) Hydrate with intravenous (IV) fluids.
C) Provide a warm blanket.
D) Remove wet clothes.
Hypothermic
A condition where the body temperature drops below the normal range, leading to a potentially dangerous state that requires immediate medical attention.
Vital Signs
Basic clinical measurements that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions; typically includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
Intravenous (IV) Fluids
Liquids given directly into a vein to provide hydration, electrolytes, medications, or nutrition.
- Utilize understanding of thermoregulation to evaluate and rank nursing interventions.
Verified Answer
VB
Vicky Braswell2 days ago
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
The first thing to do with a patient suspected to be hypothermic is to remove wet clothes, because heat loss is five times greater when clothing is wet. Assessing vital signs is important, but the wet clothes should be removed first. Hydration is very important with hyperthermia and the associated danger of dehydration, but there is not a similar risk with hypothermia. A warm blanket over wet clothes would not be an effective warming strategy.
Learning Objectives
- Utilize understanding of thermoregulation to evaluate and rank nursing interventions.