Intravenous nutrients for preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in adults.

Background: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (a drop in core temperature to below 36°C) occurs because normal temperature regulation is disrupted during surgery, mainly because of the effects of anaesthetic drugs and exposure of the skin for prolonged periods. Many different ways of maintaining body temperature have been proposed, one of which involves administration of intravenous nutrients during the perioperative period that may reduce heat loss by increasing metabolism, thereby increasing heat production.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of preoperative or intraoperative intravenous nutrients in preventing perioperative hypothermia and its complications during surgery in adults.

Warming of intravenous and irrigation fluids for preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia.

Background: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (a drop in core temperature to below 36°C) occurs because of interference with normal temperature regulation by anaesthetic drugs, exposure of skin for prolonged periods and receipt of large volumes of intravenous and irrigation fluids. If the temperature of these fluids is below core body temperature, they can cause significant heat loss. Warming intravenous and irrigation fluids to core body temperature or above might prevent some of this heat loss and subsequent hypothermia.

Interventions for treating inadvertent postoperative hypothermia.

Background: Inadvertent postoperative hypothermia (a drop in core body temperature to below 36°C) occurs as an effect of surgery when anaesthetic drugs and exposure of the skin for long periods of time during surgery result in interference with normal temperature regulation. Once hypothermia has occurred, it is important that patients are rewarmed promptly to minimise potential complications. Several different interventions are available for rewarming patients.

Thermal insulation for preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia.

Background: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia occurs because of interference with normal temperature regulation by anaesthetic drugs and exposure of skin for prolonged periods. A number of different interventions have been proposed to maintain body temperature by reducing heat loss. Thermal insulation, such as extra layers of insulating material or reflective blankets, should reduce heat loss through convection and radiation and potentially help avoid hypothermia.

New, normative, English-sample data for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4).

This article provides population norms for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and investigates the relationship between PSS-4 scores and sociodemographic variables. The PSS-4 was administered to an English sample (n = 1568) and was found to have acceptable psychometric properties. Sociodemographic variables explained 19.

Raising awareness of hypertension risk through a web-based framing intervention: does consideration of future consequences make a difference?

Approximately, one third of people with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. However, little research has explored the efficacy of interventions to raise awareness of this serious problem. This study had two main objectives: (1) To explore the efficacy of a web-based intervention aimed at raising awareness of the risks associated with high blood pressure and hypertension; (2) To examine the role of the personality variable, consideration of future consequences (CFC) in influencing the effectiveness of the intervention.