Читать книгу Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Nursing - John Knight - Страница 68

Grace is 82 and lives on her own in a small two-bedroom terraced house. Her only regular income is her state pension, which she proudly manages very effectively using little boxes to put aside money each week for food, utility bills and a small amount of pocket money for her four grandchildren.

This winter has been cold with several heavy snowfalls and Grace has been worrying about her heating costs. Instead of using her central heating, since the beginning of January she has been spending most days in her living room using a small fan heater for warmth and taking a hot water bottle to bed. Amy is Grace’s youngest daughter and travels from Brighton to visit her mother once a week. During her last visit Amy was horrified to find all of the heating turned off and her mother wandering the house in a very confused state.

From what you have learnt in this chapter it should be clear that Grace is suffering from hypothermia. Nurses are often required to pass on advice to patients and their families, and this is highlighted in Activity 2.2.