Week 2 Flashcards
(138 cards)
Why are vital signs important ?
They determine a baseline for future assessments
what are the guidelines for vital sign measurements ?
1) unregulated care providers may measure the vital sigs and the nurse responsible has to interpret and act on these measurements
2) use equipment that is functional and appropriate for the size and age of the patient
3) select equipment based on the persons conditions and characteristics
4) minimize environmental factors that may affect vital signs
5) use an organized step by step approach
6) approach patient in calm, caring manner while demonstrating profiency
7) use vital signs to determine indications for prescribed medication administration
8) Analyze vital sign measurement results
9) when vital signs appear abnormal, have another nurse take the vital signs
10) involve in the patient/and or caregiver in the vital sign assessment and finding
What is core temperature ?
temperatures of structures deep within the body
what do temperature control mechanisms do?
They keep the core temperature constant
normal body temperature range
36C to 38C - body surface temperatures fluctuate depending on blood flow to the skin and amount if heat lost to the external environment
thermoegulation
the balance between heat lost and heat produced
what is the role of the hypothalamus ?
To control body temperature - it sense changes in the body temperature - when its too hot the nerve cells in the anterior hypothalamus go above the set point, impulses are then sent to reduce body temp - the posterior hypothalamus senses the temp is below the set point then impulses are sent to increase the body temp
what is a set point
A comfortable temperature
which part of the hypothalamus recognize an increase in body temp above set point
the anterior hypothalamus
which part of the hypothalamus recognizes a decrease in body temp below the set point
the posterior hypothalamus
what mechanisms are used to increase body temp
Vasoconstriction of blood vessels to decrease flow to skin and the extremities - muscle shivering
what mechanisms are used to decrease body temperature when its too high
sweating, vasodilation, inhibition of heat production
Which process produces heat ?
metabolism - as metabolism increases more heat is produced and when metabolism decreases heat production decreases
when does heat production occur ?
rest, voluntary movement, involuntary shivering, non-shivering thermogenesis
Basal metabolic rate
heat produced at absolute rest
which hormone affects BMR ? how does it affect BMR?
the thyroid hormone affects bmr by promoting the breakdown of body glucose and fat
male sex hormone
testosterone increases BMR- men have a higher BMR than women
Exercise
exercise increases BMR and heat production
Shivering
is an involuntary body movement - significant energy is required for shivering which increases body temp - this heat equalizes body temperatures
Why are babies and older individuals at risk for hypothermia
they are less likely to generate heat via shivering or preserve heat via vasoconstriction which puts them at risk for hypothermia
Non shivering thermogenesis
main source of heat generation in newborns - sympathetic nerve ending release norepinephrine to respond to chilling which stimulates fat metabolism in richly vascularized brown adipose tissue to produce internal heat that is then conducted to the surface
how is heat lost
conduction, evaporation, convection, radiation
Radiation
transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without direct contact - radiation increases as the temp difference increases - if the environment is hotter than person we absorb heat - radiation can increase through removing clothing patients position enhances radiation - standing more SA to radiate heat - fetal position covered by something decreases heat
Conduction
transfer of heat from direct contact - touch colder surface you will lose heat - touch a hotter surface the body gains heat