With increased warming of the patient’s environment, how is peripheral resistance affected?

Increased warming of a patient's environment leads to a dilation of blood vessels, which affects peripheral resistance in a significant way. When the body's tissues are exposed to higher temperatures, mechanisms such as vasodilation occur. This process allows blood vessels to widen, reducing the overall resistance to blood flow in the peripheral circulation.

Vasodilation enhances blood flow to the skin and extremities, which is the body's way of regulating temperature and dissipating heat. As a result, when peripheral resistance decreases, it facilitates better oxygen delivery and nutrient supply to the tissues, which is particularly important in a warmed environment. Hence, the correct answer highlights that resistance is decreased in this scenario.