Question

Joe Baker, a 65-year-old present from doing roofing on a 100degree F day with 100% humidity to the emergency department with the diagnosis of heatstroke. The patient has the following vital signs: temperature, 104 degrees F, blood pressure, m84/42 mm HG; hart rate, 110 bpm; respiration rate 20 breath/min. The patient is hot, anhidrosis, confused to place and time, and drowsy, (Learning Objective 4)

a. What emergent management should the nurse anticipate for the patient?

b.What patient education should the nurse provide once the patient is stable?

Answer 1

a)▪︎EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

*Immediate management is cooling the patient to reduce the core temperature. Cold or ice water bath is effective to reduce the temperature.

•Cooling techniques using evaporation method (if cold water bath is unavailable)

•Cooling the patient using cool blankets and ice packs.

*Monitor the vital signs of the patient

*Administer muscle relaxant to reduce body shivering

*blood test and urine test to assess the electrolyte levels and renal function.

*Administer IV fluids to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

b)▪︎PATIENT EDUCATION

*Instruct the patient to avoid intense exposure of sunlight

*Advice the patient to drink plenty of water during outdoor activities.

*Protect yourself using sunscreen lotion, hat,sunglasses and using an umbrella.

*Try to wear loose light weight clothes with light colours

*Avoid drinking tea,coffee,and alcohol during outdoor activities. It can cause dehydration

*Schedule vigorous activities during cooler times if possible.