Maintaining normothermia is recommended to prevent secondary brain injury in suspected TBI.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not studied
• D. Only in pediatric patients

Answer: (A)

Maintaining normothermia is important in suspected TBI because fever worsens secondary brain injury. When the body's temperature rises, the brain's metabolic rate increases, raising oxygen demand and cerebral blood flow, which can exacerbate edema, ischemia, and intracranial pressure in injured tissue. Keeping temperature within the normal range helps limit these metabolic stresses and supports safer cerebral perfusion during the vulnerable acute period. Clinically, this means vigilant temperature monitoring and prompt fever control with antipyretics and cooling measures as needed to stay normothermic. While there’s been study of cooling strategies, the practical goal is to prevent fever and avoid routine deep hypothermia, focusing on maintaining normothermia to minimize secondary injury in both adults and children.