DM1 Pt5-4 Monitoring temperature Flashcards
Why is monitoring body temperature important during anesthesia?
Monitoring body temperature is essential to prevent and manage hyperthermia or hypothermia and to provide appropriate supportive measures for maintaining normothermia.
What is a common method for measuring body temperature during anesthesia?
A rectal thermometer is commonly used, but access may be limited during some surgeries, and rectal temperature may not accurately reflect core body temperature.
What factors can cause a falsely low temperature reading when using a rectal thermometer?
The probe may enter feces, or the rectum may become dilated, resulting in a falsely low temperature reading.
What is an alternative method for measuring core body temperature during anesthesia?
An esophageal temperature probe is an alternative, and it should be placed deeply into the esophagus (to the base of the neck) for an accurate core temperature measurement.
Where else can temperature probes be placed if esophageal placement is not possible?
Temperature probes can also be placed in the rectum or nasopharynx if esophageal placement is not feasible due to the surgical procedure.
What additional parameters are often measured alongside temperature in multi-parameter monitors?
Multi-parameter monitors can measure end-tidal CO₂, end-tidal inhalant agent concentration, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry, along with body temperature.
