EEPING THE FAMILY INFORMED
It's important to keep the patient's family and friends apprised of the care the patient is receiving. Be sure to explain the reason therapeutic hypothermia is being used, all required medications and their purpose, the patient's anticipated cognitive status over the coming days, and potential complications.
Explain that on the first day of hypothermia induction, the patient is kept cooled for 24 hours. During this time, vital signs, laboratory values, and neurologic status are monitored in order to assess progress and minimize potential complications. Brain wave data are continuously monitored to determine if there is any seizure activity so it can be treated if necessary.
On day 2, the patient is slowly rewarmed over 14 to 16 hours; complications can arise if the patient is rewarmed too quickly. Vital signs, laboratory values, and neurologic functions (cough, gag reflex, pupillary response, and corneal movement) are monitored as well, since these reflexes are limited during the cooling phase.
On day 3, neurologic status is reevaluated, because when the patient is rewarmed completely it's possible to make a prognosis. Let the family know that both survival and neurologic function are greatly improved when these measures are taken.