Patient with 108-Degree Fever Shows Seriousness of Early Recognition & Treatment of Hyperthermia

Medic 35 is dispatched to a local subdivision for an obese 62-year-old woman with syncope. The responding unit is a fire-based ALS unit staffed by two paramedics. Patient Assessment It's approximately 2:30 p.m., with outside temperatures reaching 95 degrees F and the humidity is at 65%.The patient is lying in the grass next to a picnic blanket and paper plates with half eaten sandwiches. Her husband crouches over her. He says his wife started to complain she felt unwell, and then passed out. Upon evaluation, she's unresponsive to sternal rub. Her airway is patent. Her breaths are rapid and shallow with rales bilaterally. Her pulses are easily palpable. She's flushed, but her skin is hot and dry. There's no external evidence of trauma. She's placed on the monitor and vitals are as follows: respiratory rate (RR) of 24, heart rate (HR) of 132, blood pressure (BP) of 94/48, and oxygen saturation of 84% on room air. The paramedic initiates delivery of 100% oxygen via a non-rebreather (NRB) mask and she's moved into the ambulance without difficulty. Prehospital ECG demonstrates sinus tachycardia at 136 with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) and prolonged QTc interval. A 20-gauge IV is obtained in the left forearm and 1 L of normal saline is administered. The medication list provided by the husband includes sumatriptan, olanzapine and duloxetine. The patient is transported to the nearest hospital which is 10 minutes away with no change in condition. Hospital Course On arrival, care...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Care Source Type: news