Which measure helps maintain normothermia during surgery?

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Multiple Choice

Which measure helps maintain normothermia during surgery?

Maintaining normothermia during surgery hinges on providing heat input and minimizing heat loss. Warmed IV fluids add heat directly to the patient’s circulation, helping to offset the cooling effects of anesthesia and exposure, and are an effective way to keep body temperature within the normal range. Cold IV fluids would remove heat and promote hypothermia, making it harder to stay warm. Lowering the ambient OR temperature increases heat loss to the surroundings, and extended exposure to air accelerates cooling via convection and evaporation. So, warming IV fluids best supports keeping the patient’s temperature in the normal range.

Maintaining normothermia during surgery hinges on providing heat input and minimizing heat loss. Warmed IV fluids add heat directly to the patient’s circulation, helping to offset the cooling effects of anesthesia and exposure, and are an effective way to keep body temperature within the normal range. Cold IV fluids would remove heat and promote hypothermia, making it harder to stay warm. Lowering the ambient OR temperature increases heat loss to the surroundings, and extended exposure to air accelerates cooling via convection and evaporation. So, warming IV fluids best supports keeping the patient’s temperature in the normal range.

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