NU 372 Week 3: Thermoregulation,
Hyperthermia, Hypothermia With Complete
Solutions
Thermoregulation
is the body process that balances heat production
and heat loss to maintain the body's temperature.
It is measured in heat units called degrees.
Heat Transfers
Conduction (physical contact)
Convection (through air or water)
Radiation (no physical contact)
Evaporation (water to vapor)
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
■Circadian rhythms
■Age and gender
■Physical activity
■State of health
■Environmental temperature
When body is cold
■Shivering
■Sweating
■Vasoconstriction
Control of core body temperature
, hypothalamus
Clients at risk for inadequate thermoregulation
■Newborns
■Traumatic Brain Injury
■Cardiac Surgery
Why Traumatic Brain Injury?
Fever in the patient with a TBI can be the result of
damage to the hypothalamus, cerebral irritation
from hemorrhage, or infection. The nurse monitors
the patient's temperature every 2 to 4 hours.
Why Cardiac Surgery?
induced hypothermia from CPB and anesthesia
lower the patient's core temperature, the patient
must be gradually warmed to a normal
temperature. This is accomplished partially by the
patient's own basal metabolic processes and often
with the assistance of heated air blanket systems.
Hyperthermia
A body temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F) is
called hyperthermia or, in lay terms, fever.
Febrile
Patient with fever
Afrebrile
Patient with no fever
Hyperthermia, Hypothermia With Complete
Solutions
Thermoregulation
is the body process that balances heat production
and heat loss to maintain the body's temperature.
It is measured in heat units called degrees.
Heat Transfers
Conduction (physical contact)
Convection (through air or water)
Radiation (no physical contact)
Evaporation (water to vapor)
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
■Circadian rhythms
■Age and gender
■Physical activity
■State of health
■Environmental temperature
When body is cold
■Shivering
■Sweating
■Vasoconstriction
Control of core body temperature
, hypothalamus
Clients at risk for inadequate thermoregulation
■Newborns
■Traumatic Brain Injury
■Cardiac Surgery
Why Traumatic Brain Injury?
Fever in the patient with a TBI can be the result of
damage to the hypothalamus, cerebral irritation
from hemorrhage, or infection. The nurse monitors
the patient's temperature every 2 to 4 hours.
Why Cardiac Surgery?
induced hypothermia from CPB and anesthesia
lower the patient's core temperature, the patient
must be gradually warmed to a normal
temperature. This is accomplished partially by the
patient's own basal metabolic processes and often
with the assistance of heated air blanket systems.
Hyperthermia
A body temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F) is
called hyperthermia or, in lay terms, fever.
Febrile
Patient with fever
Afrebrile
Patient with no fever
