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Cyberschool Creators: Kevin Baumlin, MD & Michael Bessette, MD
Module Author: Edward Mintz, MD
Web Authors: Carol Lewis & Marcy Wang
| You finally get to take that long-awaited ski vacation in Copper Mountain, Colorado (base elevation, approximately 9,600 feet). You flew into Denver, took the shuttle to the mountain, strapped on your skis, and went right to Spaulding Bowel at the top (elevation approximately 12,000 feet). Being in excellent physical shape, you feel fine that night. However, one of your friends, Shredder Boardman, has taken ill. He is a little short of breath, has a slight headache, is a little dizzy, and was unable to eat dinner. Shredder tells you that he lived in Denver for four years and skied the same terrain aggressively many times before, but he has never felt so ill. |
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1. |
What is causing Shredder's illness? |
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2. |
Could Shredder have taken any measures to prevent his sickness? |
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3. |
What treatment, if any, should be provided? |
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4. |
Is Shredder likely to become ill again if he takes the same trip next year? |
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| After caring for Shredder, you are the toast of the ski lodge. Later that evening, a "lost skier" is brought in from the mountain by the ski patrol. He is unconscious and barely breathing. You are asked to assist the ski patrol paramedics in caring for this skier. He is taken to the well-equipped lodge infirmary where an IV is started and an ECG is performed. The patient has a rectal temperature of 30 C. |
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5. |
What is the proper treatment for this patient? How should he be rewarmed? |
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6. |
Describe the EKG and its significance. | |
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7. |
What are the physiological changes associated with hypothermia? |
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8. |
What are the complications of hypothermia? |
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