Nursing Management and Outcomes in Patients with Hypothermia: A Clinical Perspective
Abstract
Background: Hypothermia, a dangerous drop in core body temperature below 35°C, is a significant clinical concern across diverse environments and patient populations. It results from an imbalance between heat loss and the body's capacity for thermogenesis, with risk factors including environmental exposure, extremes of age, comorbidities, and iatrogenic causes in healthcare settings.
Aim: This article provides a comprehensive clinical perspective on the nursing management and outcomes of patients with hypothermia, emphasizing the critical role of nurses in early recognition, pathophysiology-based intervention, and interprofessional coordination to optimize patient survival and recovery.
Methods: A detailed review of the etiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of hypothermia is presented. This foundation informs a systematic approach to evaluation (history, physical, accurate core temperature measurement, and diagnostics) and a staged management strategy, from passive external rewarming for mild cases to advanced extracorporeal techniques for severe, unstable patients.
Results: Successful outcomes are directly linked to prompt prevention of further heat loss, gentle handling to avoid arrhythmias, and the selection of appropriate, controlled rewarming modalities. Complications such as cardiac instability, coagulopathy, and metabolic derangements are common and must be anticipated. Mortality remains high in severe cases, though outcomes are significantly improved with rapid, protocol-driven care.
Conclusion: Effective management of hypothermia requires a rigorous, physiology-informed approach. Nurses are pivotal in early detection, initiating core interventions, and coordinating interprofessional care to mitigate organ dysfunction and improve survival across the care continuum.
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Salha Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshehri, Fatimah Mansour A Altowairqi, Ohud Mihthaf Okash Alruwaili, Samiyah Inad khalaf Aljohani, Shuruq Musafiq Fawaz Alruwaili, Manal Mohammed Alrowey Alrowely, Hamidh Moghim Thoughan Alruwaili, Amal Muharib Nazal Alrwaily, Huda Zayed Sutayl Alruwaili, Ahad Mihthaf Akash Alreweli
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