Older people and hypothermia: the role of the anaesthetic nurse.
Older clients are at increased risk during surgical intervention because of age-related system changes and comorbid conditions. However, recent advances in surgical and anaesthetic techniques, together with modern monitoring technology and the proliferation of ambulatory surgery, have reduced mortality in older patients undergoing surgery. Nevertheless, inadvertent hypothermia in older clients remains problematic. Therefore, an understanding of specific diseases prevalent in old age, coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of the physiological impact of ageing in all body systems, underpins the role of the anaesthetic nurse.
Ayres
Una
U
Waterford Regional Hospital, Republic of Ireland.
D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists; D019990:Perioperative Care; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control