Exam 2 Flashcards
(324 cards)
What is hyperthermia?
an elevated body temperature greater than 38 degrees celsius with an unchanged hypothalamic set point
What causes hyperthermia?
excessive heat production, inadequate ability to cool, hypothalamic regulator dysfunction
What are some risk factors for hyperthermia
very young or very old
preexisiting conditions (CVD, hypothyroidism, diabetes, alcoholism)
medications that decrease the body’s ability to lose heat (phenothiazianes (thorazine), anticholinergics, diuretics, amphetamines, beta-adrenergic receptor agonsits)
prolonged environmental exposure (outdoor workers, athletes, homeless)
What are heat cramps?
usually brief but severe cramps in large muscle groups that are tired from heavy work
Who typically gets heat cramps?
athletes with inadequate fluid intake
What are symptoms of heat cramps?
pain, thirst, nausea, tachycardia, pale/pallor, weakness, profuse diaphoresis
What are some nursing interventions for heat cramps?
rest, elevate, and massage, fluids, education on prevention
What is heat exhaustion?
prolonged exposure to heat which causes profuse diaphoresis resulting in excess water and electrolyte loss
Who typically gets heat exhaustion?
people engaged in strenuous activity in hot or humid weather
What are symptoms of heat exhaustion?
cold, clammy, pale skin, fatigue and weakness, profuse sweating and extreme thirst, altered mental status, hypotension, tachycardia, weak pulse, tempeature of 37.5C-41C
What are some nursing interventions for heat exhaustion?
remove from environment, remove constrictive clothing, monitor ABC’s and cardiac rhythm, fluids, moist sheet
Who is typically hospitalized for heat exhaustion?
very young, very old, those with chronic conditions, someone who hasn’t improved in the first 3 to 4 hours after initiating treatment
What is heat stroke?
failure of hypothalamic thermoregulatory process resulting in a core temperature that is greater than 41C
What is the pathophysiology of heat stroke?
increased sweating, vasodilation, and respiratory rate
fluid and electrolyte depletion
sweat glands stop functioning
core temperature rapidly rises within 10 to 15 minutes
circulatory collapses
decreased cerebral blood flow, neurological symptoms begin
decreased systemic blood flow
cerebral edema and hemorrhage
rhabdomyolysis leading to myoglobinuria (causing kidney damage)
permanent neurological damage
acute kidney injury
death
What are symptoms of heat stroke?
hot, dry skin, altered mental status (hallucinations, loss of muscle coordination, combativeness), hypotension, tachycardia, weakness
Can antipyretics be used to treat heat stroke?
no, because the increase in temperature is not caused by infection
What are some nursing interventions for heat stroke?
rapid cooling methods, monitor and treat shivering, monitor for symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, may give 100% oxygen due to hypermetabolic state
What can IV chlorpromazine be used for?
control shivering, if the patient shivers while being treated for hyperthermia it will work against them
What are the types of hypothermia?
mild: 35 to 33.9C
moderate: 33.9C to 30C
severe <30C
What causes hypothermia?
accidental: environmental exposure
therapeutic: intentionally induced to reduce metabolism and prevent tissue ischemia
What are some risk factors for hypothermia?
very young or very old
prolonged environmental exposure: wet clothing (increases evaporation loss 5x), immersion (increased evaporation loss 25x)
metabolic: hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism
healthcare associated: neuromuscular blockage, blood administration, cold IV fluids, inadequate warming in OR
alcohol (vasodilation)
phenothiazines (thorazine)
barbiturates
homeless
What is the pathophysiology of hypothermia?
drop in core temperature
drop in metabolic rate causing:
irritable myocardia (causing dysrhythmias), decreased systemic perfusion (causing hypoxia), and decreased renal blood flow (decrease GFR, impaired water reabsorption, dehydration (increased HCT, increased risk for stroke, MI, and PE)
What are the symptoms for each type of hypothermia?
mild: shivering, lethargy, confusion, some irrational behavior, mild changes in HR
moderate: muscle rigidity, bradycardia, bradyapnea, weak pulses, BP hard to ascertain (need doppelr), hypovolemia
severe: (person looks dead) absent reflexes, pupils fixed and dilated, bradycardia, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, bradyapnea
When is someone pronounced dead from hypothermia? What usually causes the death?
every effort is made to rewarm the person to at least 86F or 30C; fatal arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation