By how much will a 10 degree decrease in temperature reduce a patient's metabolic rate?

A decrease in temperature can significantly impact a patient's metabolic rate due to the direct relationship between temperature and metabolic processes. In general, for every 10-degree Celsius (or about 18-degree Fahrenheit) decrease in body temperature, metabolic rate may decrease by approximately 50%. This phenomenon occurs because enzymatic reactions, which are critical for metabolism, are temperature-sensitive and typically slow down in colder conditions.

When body temperature drops, cellular activities and overall metabolism decline, which is vital during certain medical procedures to preserve organ function and reduce the oxygen demand of tissues. Therefore, if treatment involves managing a patient under hypothermic conditions, understanding that a 10-degree drop can halve the metabolic rate is essential for navigating patient care effectively during surgery and in other clinical scenarios.