A postoperative patient is in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) after undergoing an appendectomy. The nurse assessed the patient's vital signs with a temperature of 94.5 degress Fahrenheit. What should the nurse do next?

Explanation

•The patient's temperature should be at least 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit before discharging from the PACU.

•Heat loss commonly occurs during surgery.

•The patient should not be warmed too quickly, as this can cause vasodilation and fluid shifts.

•If a warm blanket is insufficient, then the nurse should notify the physician.

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