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

Test your knowledge on thermoregulation, monitoring health status, and the hypothalamus with this quiz. Learn about the different types of thermometers and factors influencing body temperature changes.