title: [Hypothermia].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Enfermería Médico Quirúrgica en la Universidad Pública de Navarra. antonio.garcia@unavarra.es
authors.forename: Antxon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García Iriarte
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sáenz Mendía
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marín Fernández
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy