When using battery-powered IV warming devices, what is the recommended flow rate and target core temperature?

• A. Flow rate up to 300 ml/min. 42 degrees
• B. Flow rate up to 50 ml/min. 37 degrees
• C. Flow rate up to 100 ml/min. 36 degrees
• D. Flow rate up to 150 ml/min. 38 degrees

Answer: (D)

Maintaining normothermia during resuscitation is essential, and battery-powered IV warming devices are used to heat the infused fluids to a safe, effective temperature. The best setting is a flow rate up to 150 mL per minute with the fluid warmed to about 38°C. This provides meaningful warming to help prevent hypothermia without risking overheating of the patient. Higher flow rates like 300 mL/min can exceed what the device can safely maintain, and heating to 42°C would be unsafe. Flows of 50 mL/min or 100 mL/min at cooler targets (37°C or 36°C) would not adequately raise core temperature in a field setting. So, 150 mL/min at 38°C is the appropriate balance to keep the patient warm safely.