title: The big chill:  accidental hypothermia.
abstract: A potential cause of such emergent issues as cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, and fluid and electrolyte shifts, accidental hypothermia can be deadly, is common among trauma patients, and is often difficult to recognize. The author discusses predisposing conditions, the classic presentation, and the effects on normal thermoregulatory processes; explains how to conduct a systems assessment of the hypothermic patient; and describes crucial management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, USA. robdavisrn@sbcglobal.net
authors.forename: Robert Allan
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000367:Age Factors; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D017694:Rewarming / Q000379:methods