[Hypothermia]. / La hipotermia.

A deep understanding about the causes and situations which predispose a patient to hypothermia can prevent its progression and the emergence of complications which present life-threatening risks and can lead to irreversible organ deterioration. The distinct degrees of hypothermia require a diagnosis and a distinct therapeutic treatment which share common pillars based on: the need to employ general measures which counterarrest the deterioration of those organs caused by heat loss; and the use of internal or external reheating methods which vary due to the degree of hypothermia and the hemodynamic stability of the patient. In moderate or severe cases, a nurse's role, as one who collaborates in patient treatment, requires paying special attention to strict monitoring of vital constants, neurological, metabolic and cardio-respiratory signs, as well as collaborating in various therapeutic procedures. As a nursing diagnosis, hypothermia refers to those situations in which a nurse's professional competence capacitates he/she to carry out actions which resolve that prejudicial situation a patient faces.

La hipotermia / Hypothermia

Un profundo conocimiento sobre las causas y situaciones que predisponen a la hipotermia puede evitar su progresión y la aparición de complicaciones que comportan riesgo vital y deterioro orgánico irreversible. Los distintos niveles de la misma precisan un diagnóstico y abordaje terapéutico distinto compartiendo pilares comunes basados en: la instauración de medidas generales, que contrarresten el deterioro de los distintos órganos producidos por la pérdida de calor; y en medidas de recalentamiento interno o externo que variarán en función del grado de hipotermia y la estabilidad hemodinámica del paciente. El rol de enfermería en los casos de moderada y severa, como actividad de colaboración, presta especial atención a una estrecha monitorización de las constantes vitales, signos neurológicos, metabólicos y cardiorrespiratorios así como la colaboración en distintos procedimientos terapéuticos. La hipotermia como diagnóstico de enfermería se refiere a aquellas situaciones en las que la competencia profesional capacita para llevar a cabo actuaciones que resuelvan esta situación perjudicial para el individuo(AU)

A deep understanding about the causes and situations which predispose a patient to hypothermia can prevent its progression and the emergence of complications which present life-threatening risks and can lead to irreversible organ deterioration. The distinct degrees of hypothermia require a diagnosis and a distinct therapeutic treatment which share common pillars based on: the need to employ general measures which counterarrest the deterioration of those organs caused by heat loss; and the use of internal or external reheating methods which vary due to the degree of hypothermia and the hemodynamic stability of the patient. In moderate or severe cases, a nurse’s role, as one who collaborates in patient treatment, requires paying special attention to strict monitoring of vital constants, neurological, metabolic and cardio-respiratory signs, as well as collaborating in various therapeutic procedures. As a nursing diagnosis, hypothermia refers to those situations in which a nurse’s professional competence capacitates he/she to carry out actions which resolve that prejudicial situation a patient faces(AU)