When significant changes in body temperature are intended or suspected, what is the recommended monitoring approach?

When significant changes in body temperature are intended or suspected, what is the recommended monitoring approach?

• A. Monitor body temperature and use active measures to facilitate normothermia
• B. Do not monitor temperature routinely
• C. Increase room temperature only if patient is cold
• D. Rely on patient’s subjective feeling

Answer: (A)

When significant changes in body temperature are anticipated or suspected, continuous temperature monitoring with active measures to restore and maintain normothermia is essential. Regularly track temperature using appropriate sites (esophageal, nasopharyngeal, bladder, or rectal probes as situation allows) and intervene promptly with active warming or cooling as needed. Relying on ambient room temperature or the patient’s subjective feeling is unreliable, and failing to monitor misses meaningful changes that can affect metabolism, coagulation, infection risk, and overall outcomes. Keeping the patient within a normal temperature range reduces these risks and supports safer anesthesia care.