The Perioperative Patient for Registered Nurses

Module 5: Thermoregulation and VTE

🎯 Module Objectives
  1. Define the surgical patient’s normal core temperature.
  2. Describe the physiological responses of hypothermia.
  3. Explain risks of hypothermia.
  4. Describe the complications from experiencing perioperative hypothermia.
  5. Explain interventions that would assist with minimizing/preventing unplanned perioperative hypothermia.
  6. Explain the role of the nurse in the maintenance of normothermia.
  7. Describe the risk factors of VTE.
  8. Explain the signs and symptoms of VTE.
  9. Describe various VTE prophylaxis measures.
📖 Required Readings 

ORNAC standards 2021
Thermoregulation – Pages 3-29 to 3-33
VTE – Pages 3-40-3-42


ORNAC standards 2023
3.5 Normothermia (3-21)
3.7 VTE (3-52)

AORN Journal Articles
AORN (2007), Recommended Practices for the Prevention of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia. AORN Journal, 85: 972-988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2007.04.015
Putnam, K. (2015), Prevention of unplanned patient hypothermia. AORN Journal, 102: P10-P12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-2092(15)00821-2
Spruce, L. (2018), Back to Basics: Unplanned Patient Hypothermia. AORN J, 108: 533-541. https://doi.org/10.1002/aorn.12389

Cine-Med Videos
CineMed Video– #1987: Prevention of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia (2017)
CineMed Video– #1993: Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (2018)

Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery
16th Ed.– P. 138 (read temperature control), 268 (read Thermoregulation and Temperature abnormalities); 155 (read vascular system)
17th Ed.– P. 135 (Temperature control), 263-264 (read Thermoregulation and Temperature abnormalities); 152 (read vascular system);

Introduction

This module covers temperature abnormalities in surgical patients when undergoing procedures. This happens because of anesthetic medications cause physiological changes that affect the thermoregulation of the body, or because of preexisting medical conditions. The nurse and the surgical team are responsible for ensuring interventions are in place to minimize or prevent unplanned perioperative hypothermia. Lengthy surgeries can cause venous thromboembolism (VTE). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are classified as VTE.

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