Anesthesia Technologist Complete Practice Exam 2026

Hypothermia during surgery has significant effects on the patient's physiology, and one of the most important is the relationship it has with bleeding and recovery times. As a patient becomes hypothermic, several physiological changes occur that can lead to increased bleeding. Hypothermia can impair platelet function and coagulation pathways, which contributes to a greater risk of bleeding during surgical procedures.

Additionally, hypothermia can prolong recovery time due to its effects on metabolism and drug clearance. The body’s ability to process anesthetic agents is diminished when the core temperature is lowered, meaning that the anesthetic effects could last longer, leading to delayed emergence from anesthesia.

In contrast, while hypothermia may be associated with increased chances of infection due to a compromised immune response, this is not as immediate a concern during surgery compared to hemostatic issues. Increased circulating blood volume and enhanced anesthetic effects are not typical results of hypothermia and do not reflect its critical impact in the surgical setting. Understanding these consequences helps anesthesia technologists and other surgical team members better manage patient care and mitigate risks associated with hypothermia.