CPAN Thermoregulation and Temperature Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the normal core body temperature range for an adult patient in the PACU?
- 35.0–36.0°C (95.0–96.8°F)
- 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F) (Correct answer)
- 38.0–39.0°C (100.4–102.2°F)
- 34.0–35.5°C (93.2–95.9°F)
Correct answer: 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F)
Normal adult core body temperature is 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F); values outside this range require intervention in the PACU.
Question 2: Post-operative hypothermia in adult PACU patients is defined as a core temperature below which value?
- 37.0°C (98.6°F)
- 36.0°C (96.8°F) (Correct answer)
- 35.0°C (95.0°F)
- 34.0°C (93.2°F)
Correct answer: 36.0°C (96.8°F)
A core temperature below 36.0°C (96.8°F) is the clinical threshold for post-operative hypothermia in adult patients.
Question 3: Which warming method is considered most effective for treating mild to moderate post-operative hypothermia in the PACU?
- Warm IV fluids only
- Warm blankets alone
- Forced-air warming devices (Correct answer)
- Radiant heat lamps
Correct answer: Forced-air warming devices
Forced-air warming devices (e.g., Bair Hugger) are the most effective active external warming method for treating post-operative hypothermia.
Question 4: Post-operative shivering primarily increases which physiological demand?
- Oxygen consumption (Correct answer)
- Urine output
- Intracranial pressure
- Gastric motility
Correct answer: Oxygen consumption
Shivering increases metabolic rate and oxygen consumption by up to 400–500%, stressing cardiopulmonary reserves.
Question 5: Which inhalational anesthetic agent is most associated with triggering malignant hyperthermia (MH)?
- Nitrous oxide
- Halothane (Correct answer)
- Propofol
- Ketamine
Correct answer: Halothane
Halothane (and other volatile halogenated agents) along with succinylcholine are the classic triggers for malignant hyperthermia.
Question 6: What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for a confirmed case of malignant hyperthermia?
- Dantrolene sodium (Correct answer)
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Diazepam
- Propranolol
Correct answer: Dantrolene sodium
Dantrolene sodium is the specific antidote for MH, acting by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle.
Question 7: Which patient population is at highest risk for developing post-operative hypothermia in the PACU?
- Healthy adults aged 18–40
- Pediatric and elderly patients (Correct answer)
- Patients who received regional anesthesia only
- Patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures
Correct answer: Pediatric and elderly patients
Pediatric patients (greater surface-area-to-mass ratio) and elderly patients (impaired thermoregulation) are at highest risk for post-operative hypothermia.
CPAN Thermoregulation and Temperature Management 1
What is the normal core body temperature range for an adult patient in the PACU?