Week 11 - Thermoregulation Flashcards
What is the most important aspect of thermoregulation in awake patients?
Behavioral responses –> Layering clothing, seeking warmth
What are efferent responses to temperature changes?
Shivering, vasoconstriction, and sweating
General anesthesia and Neuraxial anesthesia do what to thermoregulation?
Inhibit body from compensating, no shivering or vasoconstriction.
What temperature is normothermia?
37 C
What temperature is hyperthermia?
38 C and greater
What temperature is hypothermia?
36 C and less
What precautious should be made if a patient is suspected of having a history or familial history of malignant hyperthermia?
Warrants the use of intra operative temperature monitoring.
What effect does atropine have on thermoregulation?
Inhibits sweating response
What are some drugs that can induce fever and hyper metabolic states?
Amphetamines, ecstasy, and cocaine
When does the greatest amount of heat loss occur?
During the first hour of surgery
What type of heat loss accounts for the majority of heat loss?
Radiant heat loss –> transfer of body heat to a cooler environment
What is convective heat loss?
Heat loss via moving cool air
What is conductive heat loss?
Heat loss via direct contact –> Cold OR table
What does general anesthesia cause that increases heat loss within a patient?
Vasodilation
What is redistribution heat loss?
Where colder blood in the periphery travels to the central compartment
Monitoring temperature is best when done how?
Continuously
When does the ASA state that body temperature monitoring should be implemented?
When significant temperature changes are intended, anticipated, or suspected.
What should be done if malignant hyperthermia trigger agents are used (volatile anesthetics)?
Implement continuous temperature monitoring
Why shouldn’t skin temperature measuring interventions be implemented?
DOES NOT reflect core body temperature
Most ideal core temperature site for many surgeries?
Tympanic temperature
What is believed to be the most reflective in thermal status?
Core temperature monitoring –> tympanic membrane, distal esophagus, bladder, nasopharynx, or pulmonary artery.
