Module 3: 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.

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📖 Required Readings 

Alexander’s Care of the patient in surgery 

Pages 138, 143, 268 

ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada) standards  

Thermoregulation – Pages 3-29 to 3-33 

VTE – Pages 3-40-3-42 

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 

Cine-Med Video #1987: Prevention of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia (2017)  

Cine-Med Video #1993: Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (2018) 

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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.