What problems might arise if the anesthesiologist did not know the patient's higher body temperature?
I think this can be looked at from the ideal gas law:
PV=nRT
Also, Charles law states when Pressure is constant, Volume and Temperature can be related as :
V=kT ; where k= nR/P
This basically states that if temperature increases, volume will increase and vice versa.
So basically, you need to know the patient's body temperature to know how much volume of gas is needed or not needed depending on the situation.
If an anesthesiologist is not aware of a patient's higher body temperature, several problems can arise during the administration of anesthesia. Some of these problems include:
1. Inaccurate dosing of anesthesia: Body temperature affects the metabolism of anesthesia drugs. Higher body temperature increases drug metabolism, causing them to be processed and eliminated from the body faster. If the anesthesiologist is not aware of the higher body temperature, they may administer an inadequate dose of anesthesia, which can result in insufficient pain relief or inadequate sedation during surgery.
2. Prolonged recovery time: Higher body temperature can lead to accelerated drug metabolism, as mentioned earlier. This increased metabolism may cause anesthesia to wear off more quickly, leading to a shorter duration of sedation or pain control. As a result, the patient may have a longer recovery time and experience increased pain after the surgery.
3. Increased risk of adverse reactions: Certain anesthesia medications, such as muscle relaxants and opioids, can have unpredictable effects when body temperature is elevated. Without knowledge of the patient's higher body temperature, the anesthesiologist may inadvertently administer medications that can potentially cause adverse reactions, such as respiratory depression or excessive muscle relaxation.
4. Impaired monitoring of vital signs: Body temperature affects vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. An elevated body temperature can lead to an increased heart rate and blood pressure. If the anesthesiologist is not aware of this, they may misinterpret these elevated vital signs as signs of inadequate anesthesia or other complications, leading to unnecessary interventions or incorrect adjustments of anesthesia during the surgery.
To avoid these problems, it is crucial for the anesthesiologist to have access to the patient's medical history, including any conditions that might affect their body temperature. Proper pre-operative assessment and communication with the patient can help ensure that the anesthesiologist is aware of any factors that might influence the patient's body temperature and adjust the anesthesia plan accordingly.