Temperature and other Clinical Vital Signs Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is a normal resting pulse?
60-100 bpm *
What is the normal respiratory rate?
12-20 breaths per min
What is the normal capillary refill time?
under 2 seconds
What is the normal oxygen saturation?
over 95%
What is the normal tympanic temperature?
35.5 - 37.5
What is the normal rectal temperature?
36.7 - 37.5
What is the BMR? (Basal Metabolic Rate)
minimum amount of energy required to sustain vital body functions
What can increase the BMR?
Hormones
What does shivering do?
Increasing heat production by increasing muscle activity
What are the 4 heat exchanges with the external environment?
Radiation, conduction, convection, evaporation
What are the sensors in temperature control?
Central (hypothalamus. internal organs) and peripheral thermoreceptors (in skin)
Where is the control centre for temperature control?
Hypothalamus
What are the effectors in temperature control?
Skeletal muscles, skin arterioles and sweat glands (behavioural too)
What is the posterior hypothalamus activated by?
Cold
What is the anterior hypothalamus activated by?
Warmth
What happens to the skin arterioles when the body is too warm?
Vasodilation - blood flow to the skin surface is increased
What happens to the skeletal muscles when the body is too cold?
Shivering, increased muscle tone and voluntary movement (behavioural)
What is an endogenous pyrogen?
A chemical which induces a fever, given off by macrophages
What does endogenous pyrogen do?
Stimulate the release of prostaglandins in the hypothalamus.
What do prostaglandins make the hypothalamus do?
Reset the thermostat at a higher temperature
How can the hypothalamic set point be restored to normal?
If the pyrogen release is reduced or prostaglandin production is decreased / ceased.
What is the temperature range for a fever?
38 - 40
What is the temperature range for hyperthermia?
Above 40
What is the temperature range for hypothermia?
At or below 35
