Maintenance of normothermia after surgery helps with which outcomes?

• A. Only improving perfusion.
• B. Only reducing pain.
• C. Reduces infection risk, improves wound healing, and stabilizes metabolic processes.
• D. No effect.

Answer: (C)

Keeping the body at a normal temperature after surgery supports several interconnected bodily functions. When temperature drops, immune defenses become less effective, increasing the risk of surgical site infections; staying normothermic helps preserve the body's ability to fight bacteria. Proper warmth also maintains better blood flow and tissue oxygenation, which are crucial for wound healing and collagen formation. Normal temperatures keep enzymatic reactions and metabolism more stable, reducing metabolic stress and unnecessary energy expenditure from shivering. Because of these combined effects, maintaining normothermia lowers infection risk, promotes healing, and stabilizes metabolic processes.