What assessment should be prioritized when a patient is suspected to be hypothermic?

When a patient is suspected to be hypothermic, the priority assessment is to conduct a skin assessment for frostbite. This is because hypothermia often occurs concurrently with exposure to cold environments, which can lead to frostbite, particularly in extremities like fingers and toes. Inspecting the skin helps to identify any signs of frostbite, such as discoloration, blistering, or hardening of tissues, which can indicate the extent of cold-induced injury and require immediate intervention to prevent further damage.

While cardiovascular, neurological, and temperature assessments are indeed important in a comprehensive evaluation of a hypothermic patient, skin assessment is crucial for assessing immediate risks. Cardiovascular assessment is relevant since hypothermia can affect heart function, but determining the status of the skin directly informs immediate care needs. Neurological assessment can provide insights into the patient’s mental status, but the urgent concern regarding potential frostbite demands immediate attention to the skin. Finally, obtaining temperature is essential for diagnosing hypothermia, yet it can be performed after ensuring that there are no severe tissue injuries present on the patient's skin.