Are anesthetic requirements increased or decreased by hypothermia?

The correct response is based on the physiological effects that hypothermia has on the body, particularly on anesthetic requirements. Hypothermia leads to a decrease in metabolic rate and can alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic agents.

As the body temperature drops, the effectiveness of anesthetics generally increases, meaning that lower doses are needed to achieve the same level of anesthesia. This is attributed to several factors, including reduced circulation and metabolism, which influence how the body processes and responds to these drugs.

In specific terms, hypothermia can slow down the rate at which anesthetic agents are eliminated from the body and may also enhance their effects, leading to a decreased requirement for anesthetic dosage. Thus, individuals undergoing surgical procedures under hypothermic conditions often require a reduced amount of anesthetic, making the answer "decreased" accurate.