Maternal Hypothermia: Implications for Obstetric Nurses

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Abstract

Hypothermia, a core body temperature of less than 95°F (35°C), is a common intraoperattve complication among adult patients and may occur in obstetric patients. Obstetric patients are predisposed to hypothermia because of vasodilation from pregnancy, administration of anesthetics and pharmacologic agents, and inherent blood loss with rapid fluid replacement during delivery. Morbidity associated with hypothermia occurs from complications such as hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, increased oxygen consumption or respiratory depression, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Interventions include preventive measures such as maintaining reasonable ambient room temperatures, avoiding infusion of cold solutions, and promptly assessing postoperative temperature, as well as corrective measures—rewarming the patient, placing the patient on dry surfaces, minimizing additional heat loss, and providing external heat sources. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

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DUNN, P. A., YORK, R., CHEEK, T. G., & YEBOAH, K. (1994). Maternal Hypothermia: Implications for Obstetric Nurses. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1994.tb01875.x

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