An 80-Year-Old Woman Is Undergoing Total Hip Replacement Surgery as Treatment

Multiple Choice

An 80-year-old woman is undergoing total hip replacement surgery as treatment for severe osteoarthritis. During the procedure, the patient's core temperature falls to 31.6°C (88.9°F) , necessitating interventions to address her hypothermia. The surgical team recognizes that there are likely multiple causes of patient's hypothermia. Which of the following factors would the team be most justified in ruling out as a contributor?

A) The cold environment in most operating theaters
B) Decreased vasoconstriction as a result of anesthetic
C) Decreased temperature adaptation due to her unconscious state
D) Impaired thermoregulatory mechanisms due to anesthetic