Postoperative hypothermia—The chilling consequences

ABSTRACT
• UNPLANNED HYPOTHERMIA is commonly encountered in the perioperative period. Nursing has contributed to the literature on hypothermia with studies on shivering and treatment modalities; however, the direct physiological consequences of postoperative hypothermia have been reported mainly in the medical literature.
• RESEARCH ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of postoperative hypothermia offers nurses further evidence to support interventions for temperature correction in patients with hypothermia. Evidence indicates that forced-air warming is the most effective method for warming hypothermic patients.
• THE ROY ADAPTATION MODEL is explained as a framework for nursing care of patients with hypothermia. Clinical practice guidelines for unplanned perioperative hypothermia also are provided. AORN J 83 (May 2006) 1055–1066.