What is the term used for the rewarming method that utilizes the patient's own mechanisms?

Passive rewarming refers to the method of rewarming a patient who is experiencing hypothermia by allowing their body to utilize its own heat-generating mechanisms. This approach is typically employed in situations where the individual is still conscious and has the ability to generate body heat. The method may involve simply providing insulation, such as warm blankets, to reduce heat loss, while the body itself gradually raises its temperature through metabolic processes.

Active rewarming, in contrast, involves the application of external heat sources, such as heaters or warm water, directly to the patient to increase their body temperature more rapidly. Thermal rewarming is not a standard term used in the medical community, and internal rewarming typically refers to interventions that might involve warming intravenous fluids or using devices that heat the core of the body more directly, rather than relying on the patient’s own mechanisms. Thus, passive rewarming is the best choice as it specifically highlights the utilization of the patient's innate ability to regulate temperature.