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Perioperative Hypothermia Consequences — FRCA Final MCQ

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ModerateGeneral AnaesthesiaPerioperative Hypothermia ConsequencesFRCA Final

A 62-year-old diabetic man has core temperature 35.1°C at end of a 3-hour open colectomy despite forced-air warming. What is the most significant risk of this perioperative hypothermia?

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Correct answer: B — Increased blood loss and transfusion requirement

Perioperative hypothermia (<36°C) impairs coagulation cascade and platelet function, significantly increasing blood loss and transfusion. NICE CG65: even mild hypothermia (1-2°C below normal) triples surgical wound infection rates, prolongs hospitalisation, increases cardiac morbidity. Bleeding is the most significant immediate consequence.

Reference: NICE – 2008 (updated 2016) – CG65 Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia