The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has undergone a carpal tunnel repair.The patient has a temperature of 36.1°C and is shivering.Which of the following is the best reason for this condition?

A) The patient is dressed only in a gown.
B) Anaesthesia lowers metabolism.
C) The surgical suite has laminar flow.
D) The open body cavity contributed to heat loss.

Question

Matthew Zirkle · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  The operating suite and recovery room environments are cool.The patient's anaesthetically depressed level of body function results in lowering of metabolism and a fall in body temperature.The patient being dressed in a gown and laminar flow in the surgical suite can contribute to a decrease in temperature,but the length of time required for this procedure would minimize this effect.Also,the patient in this type of case does not have a large open body cavity to contribute to heat loss.

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