Running head: PICOT
1
PICOT Question
Student Name
University Name
, PICOT 2
PICOT Question
In choosing a PICOT question, much thought was given to the unanswered questions
regarding patients undergoing an elective Cesarean delivery using spinal anesthesia on a labor
and delivery unit. One noticeable phenomenon which seems recurrent after surgery is
hypothermia or a temperature of less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This issue delays recovery
time, pain relief, and bonding with the newborn, as well as increases the risk of blood loss and
wound infection (Yokohama, Shimada, Matshshima, Bito, and Sakamoto, 2009). On many labor
and delivery units there is no protocol to manage potential hypothermia before the surgery; it is
dealt with as an afterthought in the recovery phase and is more difficult to manage. Therefore in
researching the methods of warming a patient before, during, and after the surgery, one method
of managing the issue is using pre warmed intravenous fluid (IVF). This method is an easy and
quick intervention that could make a significant impact on the outcome of preventing
hypothermia. By forming a substantial PICOT question, the valuable information gained from
this literature review could increase patient outcomes and satisfaction and serve as a guide for
labor and delivery units to decrease the incidence of hypothermia in women after a Cesarean
delivery during the recovery period.
Link to Nursing Practice
The PICOT question formulated relates to nursing practice and the practice of anesthesia
as the nurse is often responsible for the pre-load of 500cc of lactated-ringers solution before a
patient is to receive spinal anesthesia and the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
1
PICOT Question
Student Name
University Name
, PICOT 2
PICOT Question
In choosing a PICOT question, much thought was given to the unanswered questions
regarding patients undergoing an elective Cesarean delivery using spinal anesthesia on a labor
and delivery unit. One noticeable phenomenon which seems recurrent after surgery is
hypothermia or a temperature of less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This issue delays recovery
time, pain relief, and bonding with the newborn, as well as increases the risk of blood loss and
wound infection (Yokohama, Shimada, Matshshima, Bito, and Sakamoto, 2009). On many labor
and delivery units there is no protocol to manage potential hypothermia before the surgery; it is
dealt with as an afterthought in the recovery phase and is more difficult to manage. Therefore in
researching the methods of warming a patient before, during, and after the surgery, one method
of managing the issue is using pre warmed intravenous fluid (IVF). This method is an easy and
quick intervention that could make a significant impact on the outcome of preventing
hypothermia. By forming a substantial PICOT question, the valuable information gained from
this literature review could increase patient outcomes and satisfaction and serve as a guide for
labor and delivery units to decrease the incidence of hypothermia in women after a Cesarean
delivery during the recovery period.
Link to Nursing Practice
The PICOT question formulated relates to nursing practice and the practice of anesthesia
as the nurse is often responsible for the pre-load of 500cc of lactated-ringers solution before a
patient is to receive spinal anesthesia and the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
