Thermoregulation and Temperature Balance

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a symptom of mild hypothermia?

  • Decreased clotting ability
  • Severe hypotension
  • Altered mental status
  • Shivering (correct)

Which of the following populations is likely to have a higher proportion of brown fat instead of subcutaneous fat?

  • Individuals who work and play sports outside (correct)
  • Individuals with high financial stability
  • Individuals with sedentary lifestyles
  • Individuals with chronic indoor conditions

What is an effective strategy for preventing hypothermia?

  • Wearing dark colored clothing
  • Avoiding adequate nutrition
  • Consuming alcohol in moderation
  • Wearing moisture-wicking clothes (correct)

What method of heat loss involves heat transfer from water droplets to vapor?

<p>Evaporation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT part of the nursing process?

<p>Evaluating cues (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct formula for converting Celsius to Fahrenheit?

<p>F = 1.8C + 32 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines normothermia in terms of body temperature?

<p>36.2°C-37.6°C (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism?

<p>Thyroxine (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological response is primarily responsible for increasing body heat through muscle activity?

<p>Shivering (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why infants are at a higher risk for hypothermia?

<p>They have a large body surface area. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is defined as an extremely high body temperature?

<p>Hyperpyrexia (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining a stable core body temperature.

Normothermia

A normal body temperature range of 36.2°C-37.6°C.

Hypothermia

A condition where body temperature drops below 36.2°C, with varying severity.

Hyperthermia

A condition where body temperature rises above 37.6°C, including hyperpyrexia over 41.5°C.

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Fever

An elevation in body temperature due to raised setpoint by pyrogens from foreign antigens.

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Brown Fat

A type of fat that generates heat through nonshivering thermoregulation, prevalent in certain populations.

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Methods of Heat Loss

The four processes by which the body loses heat: convection, conduction, radiation, and evaporation.

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Hypothermia Prevention

Strategies to prevent hypothermia, including wearing moisture-wicking clothing and maintaining adequate nutrition.

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Clinical Judgment Functions

The six steps of clinical judgment: recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes.

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Fahrenheit-Celsius Conversion

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, use the formula F = 1.8C + 32.

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Nursing Process

A structured approach to patient care involving Assessment, Analysis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE).

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Clinical Judgment

The ability to recognize and analyze cues to make informed patient care decisions.

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Hypothermia Symptoms: Mild

Signs include shivering, fluctuating blood pressure, increased heart rate, and elevated respirations.

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Hypothermia Interventions: Mild

Remove wet clothing, provide warm blankets, and offer warm oral fluids to rewarm the patient.

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Hypothermia Symptoms: Moderate

Signs include altered mental status and decreased clotting ability.

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Hypothermia Interventions: Moderate

Administer warm IV fluids to help rewarm the patient safely.

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Hypothermia Symptoms: Severe

Signs include severe hypotension, low SPO2, and potential frostbite of extremities.

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Hypothermia Resuscitation Principles

Continue resuscitation efforts until the patient is warm and dead; monitor urinary output as a perfusion indicator.

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Study Notes

Thermoregulation

  • Thermoregulation is maintaining a stable core body temperature
  • Normothermia: 36.2°C-37.6°C
  • Hypothermia: below 36.2°C (mild, moderate, severe)
  • Hyperthermia: above 37.6°C-41.5°C (hyperpyrexia above 41.5°C)
  • Fever is a rise in body temperature due to foreign antigens

Temperature Balance

  • Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): the rate of energy used for essential activities (breathing).
    • BMR can increase or decrease, being higher in younger individuals.
  • Muscle activity (e.g., shivering) produces heat.
  • Thyroxine, a hormone from the thyroid gland, regulates metabolism.
    • Increased thyroxine = increased metabolism.
  • Epinephrine and norepinephrine (hormones and neurotransmitters) increase metabolism and cause vasoconstriction to increase body temperature.

Hypothalamus Role

  • The text does not explain the hypothalmus role.

Risk Factors

  • Age (very young, old): infants have a large surface area, low subcutaneous fat, and less nonshivering thermogenesis (NST).
  • Homeless population
  • Financial status
  • Mental health conditions
  • Individuals who work or exercise outdoors

Prevention Strategies: Hypothermia

  • Wear appropriate clothes (moisture-wicking)
  • No alcohol consumption
  • Adequate nutrition
  • Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
  • Wear light-colored clothing

Prevention Strategies: Hyperthermia

  • No alcohol consumption
  • Wear appropriate clothing (light colors)
  • Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)

Four Methods of Heat Loss

  • Convection: Heat transfer via warm air to cooler air.
  • Conduction: Direct contact between warm and cooler surfaces.
  • Radiation: Transfer of heat between warm and cooler objects without direct contact.
  • Evaporation: Heat transfer from water droplets to vapor (sweat, etc.)

Clinical Judgment

  • Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion: F = 1.8C + 32

The Nursing Process

  • ADPIE/AAPIE (Assessment, Analyze Cues, Planning, Implementing, Evaluation)
  • Recognize cues, Analyze cues, Prioritize hypotheses, Generate solutions, Evaluate outcomes.
  • Combine clinical judgment with nursing process.
  • Assessment (recognizing cues), Analyze (analyzing cues), Planning (prioritizes hypotheses), Implementation (generating solutions), Evaluation (evaluating outcomes)

Hypothermia (S/S and Interventions)

  • Mild (90°F - 95°F [32°C - 35°C])

    • Shivering
    • Blood pressure may increase or decrease due to vasoconstriction.

  • Moderate (82.5°F to 90°F [28°C - 32°C]) -Altered mental status, decreased clotting ability due to impaired platelet aggregation and thrombocytopenia

    • Warm fluids

  • Severe (below 82.4°F [28°C])

    • Severe hypotension
    • Low SpO2
    • Frostbite
    • Urinary catheter monitoring

  • Rewarm the core first, then periphery.

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Thermoregulation Lecture Notes PDF

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