Week 11 - Thermoregulation

Question 1

What is the most important aspect of thermoregulation in awake patients?

Answer 1

Behavioral responses –> Layering clothing, seeking warmth

Question 2

What are efferent responses to temperature changes?

Answer 2

Shivering, vasoconstriction, and sweating

Question 3

General anesthesia and Neuraxial anesthesia do what to thermoregulation?

Answer 3

Inhibit body from compensating, no shivering or vasoconstriction.

Question 4

What temperature is normothermia?

Answer 4

37 C

Question 5

What temperature is hyperthermia?

Answer 5

38 C and greater

Question 6

What temperature is hypothermia?

Answer 6

36 C and less

Question 7

What precautious should be made if a patient is suspected of having a history or familial history of malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 7

Warrants the use of intra operative temperature monitoring.

Question 8

What effect does atropine have on thermoregulation?

Answer 8

Inhibits sweating response

Question 9

What are some drugs that can induce fever and hyper metabolic states?

Answer 9

Amphetamines, ecstasy, and cocaine

Question 10

When does the greatest amount of heat loss occur?

Answer 10

During the first hour of surgery

Question 11

What type of heat loss accounts for the majority of heat loss?

Answer 11

Radiant heat loss –> transfer of body heat to a cooler environment

Question 12

What is convective heat loss?

Answer 12

Heat loss via moving cool air

Question 13

What is conductive heat loss?

Answer 13

Heat loss via direct contact –> Cold OR table

Question 14

What does general anesthesia cause that increases heat loss within a patient?

Answer 14

Vasodilation

Question 15

What is redistribution heat loss?

Answer 15

Where colder blood in the periphery travels to the central compartment

Question 16

Monitoring temperature is best when done how?

Answer 16

Continuously

Question 17

When does the ASA state that body temperature monitoring should be implemented?

Answer 17

When significant temperature changes are intended, anticipated, or suspected.

Question 18

What should be done if malignant hyperthermia trigger agents are used (volatile anesthetics)?

Answer 18

Implement continuous temperature monitoring

Question 19

Why shouldn’t skin temperature measuring interventions be implemented?

Answer 19

DOES NOT reflect core body temperature

Question 20

Most ideal core temperature site for many surgeries?

Answer 20

Tympanic temperature

Question 21

What is believed to be the most reflective in thermal status?

Answer 21

Core temperature monitoring –> tympanic membrane, distal esophagus, bladder, nasopharynx, or pulmonary artery.