b. While it is not possible to actively warm patients by administering
heated IV fluids, because the fluids cannot exceed body temperature
without causing damage, it is possible to prevent further heat loss by
using fluid warmers. This is especially important when large volumes of
fluids or blood are needed. For routine outpatient cases, no clinically sig-
nificant difference is noted using the various types of fluid warmers on
adults. At low flows the fluid will cool in the tubing but the amount
delivered is small. At higher flows, little cooling will occur and less heat
will be lost.
15. The most important factor influencing heat loss is __________ .
a. the temperature of the operating table
b. the temperature of the IV fluids
c. the temperature of the OR
d. the type of warming device you choose
c. The OR temperature is what determines the gradient for heat loss
by radiation and convection from the skin and evaporation from the
surgical site and wound. Warming the OR can minimize heat loss.
However, to maintain normothermia, a room temperature greater than
23°C (74.3°F) is required. Most scrubbed OR staff would find this
uncomfortably warm. OSM
6 8
O U T P A T 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 | J U N E 2 0 1 5
Dr. Frederick (pfreder1@maine.rr.com) is director of anesthesia services
at the Plastic Surgery Center in Portland, Maine
