Which of the following is an appropriate action when a patient is hypothermic after surgery?

Administering warming blankets or heating pads is an appropriate action for a patient who is hypothermic after surgery because it directly addresses the need to raise the patient's body temperature. Hypothermia can occur due to prolonged exposure to cooler temperatures in the surgical environment or because of anesthetic agents that affect the body's ability to regulate its temperature.

Using warming blankets or heating pads provides focused and controlled warmth, helping to stabilize the patient's body temperature and facilitate recovery. This intervention is crucial because maintaining an appropriate body temperature is essential for proper metabolic function, recovery from anesthesia, and overall patient comfort.

Other potential actions are not suitable in this scenario. For example, placing the patient in a cold environment would exacerbate the hypothermia rather than alleviate it. Leaving the patient unattended could lead to severe complications due to the hypothermic state. While monitoring electrolyte levels is important in the overall management of a post-surgical patient, it does not directly address the immediate need to treat hypothermia.