Maintaining normothermia during surgery helps prevent which issues?

• A. Maintaining normothermia helps prevent coagulopathy, wound infection, and metabolic disturbances.
• B. Increases antibiotic resistance.
• C. Has no impact on outcomes.
• D. Only affects patient comfort.

Answer: (A)

Keeping the patient at normal body temperature during surgery prevents problems that arise when the body is cold. Hypothermia slows many enzymatic processes, including those in the coagulation system and platelet function, which increases bleeding risk and can lead to more blood transfusions. It also weakens immune defenses and lowers tissue oxygen delivery, making wound infections more likely and healing slower. In addition, cold stress raises metabolic demand—shivering and overall energy use—causing shifts in electrolytes and insulin resistance that can complicate recovery. By maintaining normothermia, these issues are mitigated, leading to better hemostasis, fewer infections, and more stable metabolism. The other statements aren’t correct because normothermia doesn’t increase antibiotic resistance, has meaningful effects on outcomes, and affects more than just patient comfort.