More important though is the monitoring of the ETCO2 (the exhaled Carbon Dioxide.) All trauma patients will have their End Tidal monitored, it is a critical function which I presume most people are unfamiliar with.
Funny about the ice question. For years we used to draw Arterial blood for testing Ph and CO2 levels.This was to determine if the patient was acidotic or alkalotic. A Ph between 7.35-7.45 is considered ‘normal.’ Outside of that range typically interventions are required. The blood get about 5 things measured (actually more, but we don’t ordinarily look at all of them.)
Once the blood was obtained it was immediately placed in ice in case of any delay in getting the results ensued. We had the practice of getting analysis within 30 minutes or get a newer sample. Sometime in the last decade or so, they ended the ice policy. I always felt funny about that, did not seem right. So, I rarely needed ice.
Still, in my hospital(s) I always knew where the ice machines were. Most facilities have a ton of them. Best I can figure is that there was a fluid restriction involved. If the Docs order say 500 CCs per day, you are not going to get 501, period. Ice is of course additional fluid.
And the second is likely to be β-blockers - which leaves me out... can't tolerate them. Calcium channel blockers OK - and a good night's sleep. 😇