An 80-year-old woman is undergoing total hip replacement surgery as treatment for severe osteoarthritis. During the procedure, the patient's core temperature falls to 31.6 °C (88.9 °F), necessitating interventions to address her hypothermia
The surgical team recognizes that there are likely multiple causes of patient's hypothermia. Which of the following factors would the team be most justified in ruling out as a contributor?
A)
The cold environment in most operating theaters
B)
Decreased vasoconstriction as a result of anesthetic
C)
Decreased temperature adaptation due to her unconscious state
D)
Impaired thermoregulatory mechanisms due to anesthetic
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Unconsciousness in and of itself is not an identified contributor to surgical hypothermia. The cold environment, decreased vasoconstriction, and impaired thermoregulation resulting from an anesthetic are all potential contributors.
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