The daughter of an older adult patient who has just returned from surgery is distressed about her father’s pale, cold hands and feet. The nurse covers the patient with an extra blanket and responds:

“Don’t be concerned. It is quite cold in the operating room. Your dad will be warm in a minute.”

“Older patients like your dad get a little shocky during surgery.”

“When patients have blood loss during surgery, superficial vessels temporarily constrict, resulting in cold extremities.”

“We are watching the disturbed circulation in your dad’s hands and feet very carefully.”