What is the term for the return of cold blood to the core during external rewarming?

What is the term for the return of cold blood to the core during external rewarming?

• A. Rebound hypothermia
• B. After drop
• C. Core rewarm
• D. Cold spill

Answer: (B)

Afterdrop refers to the temporary fall in core temperature that can happen when you start external warming. As the cold-peripheral vessels dilate with warming, cold blood from the limbs returns to the central circulation. This influx of cooler blood to the core can make the core temperature dip a little further even as you’re trying to rewarm the patient. That’s why gentle, gradual warming and keeping the patient well insulated is important during hypothermia treatment. Rebound hypothermia, core rewarm, and cold spill aren’t the terms used to describe this redistribution effect.

Afterdrop refers to the temporary fall in core temperature that can happen when you start external warming. As the cold-peripheral vessels dilate with warming, cold blood from the limbs returns to the central circulation. This influx of cooler blood to the core can make the core temperature dip a little further even as you’re trying to rewarm the patient. That’s why gentle, gradual warming and keeping the patient well insulated is important during hypothermia treatment. Rebound hypothermia, core rewarm, and cold spill aren’t the terms used to describe this redistribution effect.