hypothermia Flashcards
The Society of Pediatric Nurses recommends the use of
temporal artery thermometry for infants younger than 3 months without fever and for patients older than 3 months with or without fever, ill or well;
rectal thermometry for infants younger than 3 months unless contraindicated by diagnosis;
tympanic methods for children 6 months of age or older, with correct positioning of the ear; and
oral methods for children 6 months of age or older when the patient can cooperate.
Measure and monitor the patient’s temperature during
all phases of perioperative care.
Select the temperature measurement site and method in collaboration with the perioperative team based on
requirements of the procedure, anesthesia type, anesthesia delivery method, accessibility of the body site for measurement, and invasiveness of the method.
How should temps be measured?
Use the same site and method of temperature measurement throughout the perioperative phases when clinically feasible.
Determine the frequency of patient temperature measurement based on
the individual patient assessment and the health care organization’s policies and procedures.
Calibrate the selected temperature-monitoring device according to
the manufacturer’s written instructions for use.
Hypothermia
Temp below 36 C (96.8)
Hypothermia
Core Temp below 36 C (96.8)
When the patient’s temperature is outside the normothermic range,
communicate the patient’s temperature to the perioperative team.
Implement methods for preventing or treating hypothermia for all patients during
all phases of perioperative care.
Symptoms of hypothermia
- Drowsiness
- Decrease heart rate
- Decrease in respiration
How long does it take for a pt core temp to drop after induction
1 hour
Vasodilation
Causes heat to transfer from the pt core to periphery
conductive heat
when pt skin is touching a cold object
conductive heat
heat loss occurring when pt skin is touching a cold object
