What is the purpose of warming devices and warmed IV fluids in the operating room?

• A. To maintain patient body temperature and prevent hypothermia-related complications.
• B. To speed up surgery.
• C. To reduce infection risk unrelated to temperature.
• D. To keep equipment warm.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining the patient's body temperature during surgery is essential because anesthesia and the cool OR environment increase heat loss, risking hypothermia. Warming devices and warmed IV fluids help keep core temperature within the normal range, reducing issues that come from cold stress. When normothermia is preserved, you support enzyme function, coagulation, immune response, and tissue oxygen delivery, which in turn lowers the risk of wound infection, diminishes shivering and cardiac stress, and can shorten recovery time. The other options miss the main purpose: warming is not primarily to speed up the procedure, nor to reduce infections unrelated to temperature management, nor to keep equipment warm.