Thesis
Effect of Mild Hypothermia on Decision Making Processes
Washington State University
Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
05/1998
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/4002
Abstract
Effects of cold have been recognized throughout the centuries. Alexander the Great, during his campaign into India, is said to have become unconscious from the cold. With record numbers of individuals choosing to recreate in the outdoors, the effects of hypothermia will become an increasing concern for health care professionals. Are we loosing outdoor enthusiasts and winter recreationalists to the effects of profound hypothermia due to poor decisions being made during the stages of mild hypothermia? The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of mild drops in core temperature (2-3 degrees C or F), on decision making and mental performance. The effect of mild hypothermia on mental function and decision making processes may predict whether they will be prone to injury or even death. Even mild lowering of core temperatures may be associated with changes in mental performance (Dutka, Smith, Doubt, Weinberg, Flynn, 1991). Accidental hypothermia is classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Mild hypothermia is present when core temperature is 34 to 35 degrees C (93.2-95 degrees F), moderate hypothermia exists when core temperature is 28 to 33 degrees C (82.4-91.4 degrees F), and severe hypothermia is a core body temperature ofless than 28 degrees C (82.4 F), (Varon, Sadovnikoff: Sternbach, 1992). The most common predisposing factor for hypothermia and cold injury is impairment of cognitive function (Vretenar, Urschel, Parrott, Unruh, 1994). Signs, symptoms, and treatment of mild hypothermia and the direction health care professionals need to take in prevention will be reviewed.
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Details
- Title
- Effect of Mild Hypothermia on Decision Making Processes
- Creators
- Kim A. Tinker
- Contributors
- Lorna Schumann (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Research Projects, College of Nursing
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Spokane, Washington
- Identifiers
- 99900590533001842
- Copyright
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us; Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US)
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis