What is the priority nursing action for a patient suspected to be hypothermic?
A) Assess vital signs.
B) Hydrate with intravenous (IV) fluids.
C) Provide a warm blanket.
D) Remove wet clothes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first thing to do with a patient suspected to be hypothermic is to remove wet clothes, because heat loss is five times greater when clothing is wet. Assessing vital signs is important, but the wet clothes should be removed first. Hydration is very important with hyperthermia and the associated danger of dehydration, but there is not a similar risk with hypothermia. A warm blanket over wet clothes would not be an effective warming strategy.

What Is the Priority Nursing Action for a Patient Suspected