Normothermia Target for Discharge — FRCA Final MCQ

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EasyDay SurgeryNormothermia Target for DischargeFRCA Final

A 60-year-old man (ASA III) undergoes a sigmoid colectomy. Post-operatively in the PACU, his temperature is 34.5°C. According to NICE CG65, active warming should aim to achieve what core temperature before transfer to the ward?

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Correct answer: B — 36.0°C

NICE CG65 (Perioperative hypothermia prevention) recommends active warming until the patient's core temperature reaches ≥36.0°C before transfer to the ward. Patients should not be transferred from the recovery room/PACU until they are normothermic (≥36°C). Hypothermia increases the risk of surgical site infection (NICE target SSI reduction), coagulopathy, adverse cardiac events, and prolonged drug action.

Reference: NICE – 2016 – CG65 Perioperative hypothermia; RCOA – 2023 – Perioperative care