Pt Normothermia

Question 1

How does anesthesia affect the normothermia?

Answer 1

It causes vasodilation or an opening of these shunts which allows the warm blood from the core to flow freely into colder periphery.

Blood cools as it circulates and then returns to core which causes a drop in core temp

Anesthetic agents can also affect hypothalamic ctrl of body temp

Question 2

What is the fancy term for anesthesias effect on body temp?

Answer 2

Redistribution temperature drop

Question 3

What are the mechanisms of heat loss?

Answer 3

Radiation 60%
Convection 15%
Evaporation 10%
Conduction 15%

Question 4

The development of hypothermia is..

Answer 4

Triggered by induction of anesthesia
Caused by redistribution of heat
Occurs rapidly in first hour of surgery
Can cause a temp drop of up to 1.6 degrees celcius.

Question 5

Complications of unintended hypothermia?

Answer 5

Rate of wound infections
Cardiac disturbances
Hospital stay length
Mortality rates

Question 6

Total body temperature = _____________________________

Answer 6

Average body temp of periphery and core combined

Question 7

What has been found to be the most effective warming method for preventing and treating unintended hypothermia?

Answer 7

Forced - air warming