In treating heat stroke, which action should be performed to facilitate rapid cooling without triggering shivering?

In treating heat stroke, which action should be performed to facilitate rapid cooling without triggering shivering?

• A. Submerge the patient in cold water to decrease body temperature
• B. Withhold oxygen from the patient
• C. Remove the patient's clothing to cool
• D. Place cold packs at the patient's groin, axillae, and neck

Answer: (C)

Rapid cooling in heat stroke works best when you maximize heat loss from the skin without triggering the body's shivering response. Removing clothing exposes more skin, increasing heat transfer to the surrounding air and any cooling aids (like air flow or a cool mist). This allows faster cooling through evaporation, convection, and radiation, without imposing a sudden, very cold stimulus that could provoke shivering or stress the body. Submerging in cold water, while effective in some settings, can provoke shivering and other stresses that counteract cooling. Withholding oxygen isn’t about cooling. Placing cold packs on small areas targets limited spots and doesn’t promote overall rapid cooling as effectively as exposing the skin does.

Rapid cooling in heat stroke works best when you maximize heat loss from the skin without triggering the body's shivering response. Removing clothing exposes more skin, increasing heat transfer to the surrounding air and any cooling aids (like air flow or a cool mist). This allows faster cooling through evaporation, convection, and radiation, without imposing a sudden, very cold stimulus that could provoke shivering or stress the body.

Submerging in cold water, while effective in some settings, can provoke shivering and other stresses that counteract cooling. Withholding oxygen isn’t about cooling. Placing cold packs on small areas targets limited spots and doesn’t promote overall rapid cooling as effectively as exposing the skin does.