Ch 4 - Vital Signs Flashcards
(41 cards)
body temperature is regulated by which part of the brain?
hypothalamus
how does the body produce heat?
voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions
digestion, cell metabolism when nutrients are broken down in the cell
fever and strong emotional states
how does the body lose heat?
urine, feces, water vapor during exhalation
perspiration is the excretion of moisture through the pores of the skin
moisture evaporates
definition of radiation
transfer of heat in the forms of waves; body heat is continually radiating into cooler surroundings
definition of conduction
the transfer of heat from one object to another by direct contact; heat can be transferred by conduction from the body to a cooler object it touches
definition of convection
transfer of heat through air currents; cool air currents can cause the body to lose heat
what is the body temperature range
97 - 99 F
36.1 - 37.2 C
what body temperatures indicate a fever?
greater than
100.4 F
38 C
pyrexia
fever
what temperature range constitute a low grade fever?
99 - 100.4 F
37.2 - 38 C
what temperature constitute hyperpyrexia?
greater than
105.8 F / 41 C
greater than 109.4 F / 43 C if generally fatal
what temperature is considered hypothermia?
below 97 F/ 36.1 C
list ten pulse sites
radial apical brachial ulnar temporal carotid femoral popliteal posterior tibial dorsalis pedis
crackles/rales
air moving through airways that contain fluid
dry or wet intermittent sounds that vary in pitch
audible only via stethoscope
rhonchi
thick secretions, tumors, spasms that partially obstruct air flow through large upper airways
deep, low-pitched, rumbling sound more audible during expiration
audible only via stethoscope
what are the four basic vital signs
TPR
temperature, pulse, respiration, BP
what factors affect vital signs
exercise, food and beverage consumption
smoking and emotional state
how many degrees does body temperature vary throughout the day?
1 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit
what influences variations in body temperature for different people
Age Diurnal variations - lowest temp in the mornings after we wake Emotional States Environment Exercise Pregnancy PT's normal temp
stages of a fever
onset - chills, increased pulse and respirations
course of a fever - continuous, intermittent, remittent
(PT feels malaise - vague sense of body discomfort, headache, weakness, fatigue)
subsiding stage - gradual or sudden/crisis when returning to normal PT usually perspires and dehydrated
continuous fever
fluctuates minimally but always remains elevated
scarlet fever
pneumococcal pneumonia
intermittent fever
body temp alternately rises and falls and at times returns to normal or becomes subnormal
bacterial infections
viral infections
remittent fever
wide range of temperature fluctuations occur, all of which are above normal
influenza
pneumonia
endocarditis
when to use axilla temperature
mostly for toddlers and preschoolers
for PT who breath with mouth or oral inflammation, oral surgery
