BSN 1-Y2-5: Thermoregulation and Monitoring Health Status Quiz

Purpose of Vital Signs Assessment

• To obtain baseline data
• To detect or monitor changes in a client's health status

Hypothalamus

• A small region located at the base of the brain
• Plays a vital role in releasing hormones
• Acts as a temperature regulatory center in the brain

Factors Influencing Body Temperature

• Age: Infants and older clients are greatly influenced by environment
• Diurnal variations: Temperature normally changes throughout the day
• Exercise: Strenuous activity can lead to high temperature
• Hormones: Progesterone in women increases temperature by 0.3-0.6°C
• Stress: Stimulates sympathetic nervous system, increasing metabolic activity
• Environment: Room temperature can affect assessment

Types of Thermometers

• Glass thermometers: No longer an instrument of choice
• Electronic / digital thermometer: Uses a heat-sensitive probe, reads in seconds
• Tympanic thermometer: Uses a sensor probe shaped like an otoscope in the external ear canal

Body Temperature Alterations

• Pyrexia / Hyperthermia / Febrile: Body temperature above the usual range
• Hyperpyrexia: A response to prolonged exposure to cold or need for oxygen in the body
• Hypothermia: Body temperature below 36.5°C, may be seen in prolonged exposure to cold, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, or starvation

Leopold's Maneuver

• A systemic way to determine the position, attitude, fetal presentation, presenting part, estimate fetal size, fetal back, and number of fetus
• Christian Gerhard Leopold developed the technique
• Uses the dominant hand to grasp the symphysis pubis using thumb and fingers
• Assesses whether the presenting part is engaged in the pelvis:
  • Floating/movable: Presenting part is not engaged
  • Immovable: Presenting part is engaged

Breast Assessment

• Enlargement, wider and darker areola, prominent veins, and Montgomery's tubercle
• Colostrum can be expressed as early as the first trimester
• Increased estrogen prepares for lactation
• Nipples become erect, areola becomes darker, and colostrum is formed

Heart Rate Assessment

• Uses Doppler to assess heart rate
• Uterine soufflé: Corresponds with maternal heart rate
• Funic soufflé: Corresponds with fetal heart rate