SAQ 1797 – Accidental hypothermia with refractory VF

Marked out of 10.00

You are working in a rural ED near an Australian ski field. A 27-year-old man arrives in the resuscitation room 30 minutes after submersion in a frozen lake while hiking. His core temperature is 27.4 C.

Define hypothermia and classify its severity.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

Other than ventricular fibrillation, list four ECG features of hypothermia.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

His rhythm changes to VF. Standard ACLS is commenced with ventilations and compressions, but VF persists after three shocks and 1 mg IV adrenaline. Describe how you would now modify resuscitation compared with the usual ACLS algorithm.

(Marked out of 4.0)


/ 4

Name the two main types of rewarming and give two examples of how each can be achieved.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

Total Score: 0 / 10

Percentage: 0%