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P R E V E N T I N G
H Y P O T H E R M I A
normothermic upon entry to the facility. Conscious sedation will be
used, which leads to less body heat loss than general anesthesia. Keep
in mind that female gender also appears to be a risk factor, likely due
to less muscle mass and a higher body surface area to body mass
ratio, which can increase their susceptibility to heat loss.
Patient 2: A 75-year-old man with a history of myocardial infarction,
15 years prior. He will undergo cataract surgery on the left eye. It is the
first of 2 procedures — the right eye will be done in a few weeks — and
he is nervous about how things will go.
• Warming methods: Provide a warmed cloth blanket during admis-
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2012
