In the ED, a homeless patient is brought in with severe hypothermia. The police officers also state that they found a "bottle of booze" on the sidewalk next to him. This puts the nurse on high alert since alcohol contributes to hypothermia by
A) interfering with the appetite center in the brain causing the person to not respond to hunger pains.
B) causing the person to have less fat on his body.
C) dulling the mental awareness that impairs judgment to seek shelter.
D) increasing his basal metabolic rate, so he will run out of ATP faster than expected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol and sedative drugs dull mental awareness to cold and impair judgment to seek shelter or put on additional clothing. Alcohol also inhibits shivering. It does not interfere with the appetite center. Malnutrition causes the person to have less fat. Alcohol may initially increase pulse, but as the hypothermia continues, the pulse rate will lower.

In the ED, a Homeless Patient Is Brought in with Severe