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At what temperature would you most likely expect to see a patient experience temperature-related ventricular fibrillation?

A) 18°C
B) 28°C
C) 32°C
D) 37°C
E) 41°C

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

A patient would likely experience temperature-related ventricular fibrillation at a temperature of 28°C or lower. Extreme hypothermia increases the risk of heart arrhythmias, and special electrical safety precautions are needed during surgery to prevent heart-related complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

You would most likely expect to see a patient experience temperature-related ventricular fibrillation at a body temperature of 28°C or lower. Ventricular fibrillation causes the heart to beat rapidly and erratically, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The human body typically maintains a regular temperature around 37°C, and significant deviations from this norm can be harmful. Particularly, extreme hypothermia, which may occur at temperatures well below normal body temperature, increases the risk of heart arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation.

In terms of electrical safety during surgery, a voltage as small as one generated by a current of 20.0 μA through a resistance of 300Ω (Ohms) could pose a danger to the heart, implying the need for special electrical safety precautions in such settings. Controlled hypothermia in a medical environment can be therapeutic under careful monitoring, but accidental or uncontrolled hypothermia is dangerous and raises the risk of conditions such as ventricular fibrillation.

User David North
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