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anesthetics. A hypothermic body does not metabo-
lize drugs as effectively as one in the normal core
temperature range does. This results in a buildup of
drugs, prolonged drug effects and, ultimately, a
patient who is slower to wake and become oriented
once the procedure has concluded.
• Breathing complexities.
An increase in pulmonary
"dead space" — the inhaled air that isn't part of the
oxygen-for-carbon-dioxide exchange — plus
increased anesthetic gas solubility equals a longer
recovery time from general anesthetic agents.
• Decreased platelet function.
Hypothermia raises
the risk of surgical site bleeding.
• Weakened endocrine system.
An impaired metabo-
lism of medications can decrease the amount of
insulin and increase the amount of glucose in the
blood, which can put diabetic or borderline patients
at risk. Since glucose is also food for bacteria, the
risk of surgical site infections is higher. Also, meta-
bolic acidosis can result in an increase in the blood's
potassium levels, which can be harmful to the heart.
Warming solutions
A core temperature that is below the normal range —
36.7 to 37 degrees Celsius — can adversely affect how
anesthesia works on a patient and how he recovers
from it. It's important to note, though, that the process
of administering anesthesia itself involves physiologi-
cal effects that inevitably cool the patient. But
hypothermia is not unavoidable. Anesthesia providers
P A T I E N T M A N A G E M E N T
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