An unresponsive 79-yr-old patient is admitted to the emergency department (ED)during a summer heat wave. The patient's core temperature is 105.4° F (40.8° C),blood pressure (BP)is 88/50 mm Hg,and pulse is 112 beats/min. The nurse will plan to

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The priority intervention is to cool the patient. Antipyretics are not effective in decreasing temperature in heat stroke and 100% O₂ should be given,which requires a high flow rate through a non-rebreather mask. An older patient would be at risk for developing complications such as pulmonary edema if given fluids at 1000 mL/hr.

An Unresponsive 79-Yr-Old Patient Is Admitted to the Emergency Department