Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam

What is a key focus in treating a hypothermic cardiac arrest?

1. Active cooling methods

2. Passive re-warming and gentle handling

3. CPR with extended intervals

4. Immediate defibrillation

The correct answer is: Passive re-warming and gentle handling

A Active cooling methods are not the key focus in treating a hypothermic cardiac arrest. While active cooling may be used in certain situations, such as when the core body temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius, it is not the main focus and can actually cause harm if done too aggressively. The key focus is to gradually re-warm the patient and handle them gently to avoid further damage to the heart or other organs. C: CPR with extended intervals is not the key focus in treating a hypothermic cardiac arrest. While CPR is still important in these cases, the recommended intervals between chest compressions and rescue breathing are longer compared to a non-hypothermic cardiac arrest. This is because the body's metabolism is slowed down in hypothermia, so less oxygen is needed to sustain the tissues. D: Immediate defibrillation is not the key focus in treating a hypothermic cardiac arrest. Unlike in a non-hypothermic cardiac arrest where defibrillation is the first step, in a hypothermic cardiac arrest, defibrillation may not be necessary or effective until the body temperature has been raised to at least 30 degrees Celsius. Overall, passive re-warming and gentle handling is the key focus in treating a