A 16-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in a snowbank at 6 a.m., approximately 7 hours after leaving a party at which alcohol was being served. He was partially undressed; his limbs were buried in the snow, and a layer of ice surrounded his right foot. On initial examination, he was drowsy and slow to respond but oriented, with spontaneous respirations and no shivering. The rectal temperature was 31.3°C. Both hands and the right foot were cold and hard to palpation; the left foot was cold but soft. A management decision was made.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sheridan et al. (2009) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: