NUR170 Exam 6 Questions and Answers
Latest 2025 Top Rated A+
older adults and heat regulation
the thermoregulation of older adults is a challenge for all of the
below reasons.
slower circulation, including decreased vasoconstrictor
responses, reduced function of thermoregulation capacity in the
skin, reduced heat production, decreased shivering response, and
reduced perception of environmental temperatures
consequences of elevated body temperature
may lead to fatal results like cardiovascular collapse and CNS
damage
excessive sweating with high body temp can lead to dehydration
and electrolyte loss
excessive body temperature can also lead to hypotension,
tachycardia, and decreased cardiac output
consequences of hypothermia
shivering and vasoconstriction occur when body temperature
drops
reduced blood flow
risk factors for thermoregulation issues
infants and young children
older adults
black males have a much higher rate of heat and cold related
deaths
,most heat related deaths occur in western states and western
states also have the highest cold related eaths
individuals with impaired congition
and other underlying health conditions that alter thermoregulatory
ability
- epidermis damage, hypothalamic injury, inflammation, infection,
metabolic conditions, etc.
genetics
recreational exposure
clinical management of thermoregulation
shelter, AC, physical activity, antipyretics are sometimes used,
heating pads, warm blankets, drawing a warm water bath, and
placing the patient in a heated enviroment
interrelated concepts of thermoregulation
infection can cause fever and chills
perfusion is often impacted by body temperature since heat is
regulated with vasoconstriction/vasodialation
tissue integrity is vital to thermoregulation
nutrition and fluid/electrolytes are also vital to thermoregulation
rectal temperature ranges
37.2-37.6 degrees C
99-99.6 degrees F
where should you take a temperature to ensure an accurate
core body temperature?
rectal thermometer placement
vasodilation
widening of blood vessels
often used to give off body heat
,vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels
often used to conserve body heat
how does the human body increase body temperature when
dealing with temporary hypothermia?
release of epinephrine, which increases metabolism
vasoconstriction
shivering
piloerection - hairs standing on end (not an important
thermoregulation measure but is a sign of hypothermia)
hyperthyroidism and heat
since hyperthyroidism increases the body's basal metabolic rate
the patients may complain of feeling warm even when in a cool
environment
Pt's with hyperthyroidism have issues with hyperthermia
hypothyroidism and heat
hypothyroidism decreases the body's basal metabolic rate
patients often complain of feeling cold even when in a warm
enviroment
humidity and thermoregulation
the human bodies main source of dealing with hyperthermia is
evaporative cooling which uses evaporating water to get rid of
excess heat in the body
in humid areas there is already evaporated water in the air
making this less effective
so there is a higher risk of hyperthermia in humid areas
gender and thermoregulation
a woman's body temperature varies as much as 1 degree F with
her menstrual cycle and pregnancy
hot flashes are also normal in menopause women
misc things and their relations to t hermoregulation
, emotions and stress - emotional stress, excitement, anxiety, and
nervousness stimulate the sympathetic nervous system causing
production of epinephrine and norepinephrine
emotion and stress generally increases body temperature
Temp is lowest in the morning and highest in the late
afternoon
afebrile
without fever
moderate fever
the body's natural defense against infection - represented by
fevers up to 39.5 degrees C or 103 degrees F
the phases of fever
1. febrile episode or onset - body temperature is rising but has not
yet reached the new set point
2. second phase (course) - the period in which body temperature
reaches its maximum set point and remains fairly constant at the
new higher level
third phase - effervescence or crisis - the period where the
temperature returns to normal
intermittent fever
temperature returns to normal at least once every 24 hours
remittent fever
Fluctuating, remains elevated and does not return to baseline
constant (sustained) fever
temperature may fluctuate slightly but is always above normal
relapsing or recurrent fever
short periods of fever alternating with periods of normal
temperatures each lasting 1 to 2 days
contrast between hyperthermia and fever
in both the body temperature is above normal
however, in hyperthermia the elevated body temperature is
higher than the set point
Latest 2025 Top Rated A+
older adults and heat regulation
the thermoregulation of older adults is a challenge for all of the
below reasons.
slower circulation, including decreased vasoconstrictor
responses, reduced function of thermoregulation capacity in the
skin, reduced heat production, decreased shivering response, and
reduced perception of environmental temperatures
consequences of elevated body temperature
may lead to fatal results like cardiovascular collapse and CNS
damage
excessive sweating with high body temp can lead to dehydration
and electrolyte loss
excessive body temperature can also lead to hypotension,
tachycardia, and decreased cardiac output
consequences of hypothermia
shivering and vasoconstriction occur when body temperature
drops
reduced blood flow
risk factors for thermoregulation issues
infants and young children
older adults
black males have a much higher rate of heat and cold related
deaths
,most heat related deaths occur in western states and western
states also have the highest cold related eaths
individuals with impaired congition
and other underlying health conditions that alter thermoregulatory
ability
- epidermis damage, hypothalamic injury, inflammation, infection,
metabolic conditions, etc.
genetics
recreational exposure
clinical management of thermoregulation
shelter, AC, physical activity, antipyretics are sometimes used,
heating pads, warm blankets, drawing a warm water bath, and
placing the patient in a heated enviroment
interrelated concepts of thermoregulation
infection can cause fever and chills
perfusion is often impacted by body temperature since heat is
regulated with vasoconstriction/vasodialation
tissue integrity is vital to thermoregulation
nutrition and fluid/electrolytes are also vital to thermoregulation
rectal temperature ranges
37.2-37.6 degrees C
99-99.6 degrees F
where should you take a temperature to ensure an accurate
core body temperature?
rectal thermometer placement
vasodilation
widening of blood vessels
often used to give off body heat
,vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels
often used to conserve body heat
how does the human body increase body temperature when
dealing with temporary hypothermia?
release of epinephrine, which increases metabolism
vasoconstriction
shivering
piloerection - hairs standing on end (not an important
thermoregulation measure but is a sign of hypothermia)
hyperthyroidism and heat
since hyperthyroidism increases the body's basal metabolic rate
the patients may complain of feeling warm even when in a cool
environment
Pt's with hyperthyroidism have issues with hyperthermia
hypothyroidism and heat
hypothyroidism decreases the body's basal metabolic rate
patients often complain of feeling cold even when in a warm
enviroment
humidity and thermoregulation
the human bodies main source of dealing with hyperthermia is
evaporative cooling which uses evaporating water to get rid of
excess heat in the body
in humid areas there is already evaporated water in the air
making this less effective
so there is a higher risk of hyperthermia in humid areas
gender and thermoregulation
a woman's body temperature varies as much as 1 degree F with
her menstrual cycle and pregnancy
hot flashes are also normal in menopause women
misc things and their relations to t hermoregulation
, emotions and stress - emotional stress, excitement, anxiety, and
nervousness stimulate the sympathetic nervous system causing
production of epinephrine and norepinephrine
emotion and stress generally increases body temperature
Temp is lowest in the morning and highest in the late
afternoon
afebrile
without fever
moderate fever
the body's natural defense against infection - represented by
fevers up to 39.5 degrees C or 103 degrees F
the phases of fever
1. febrile episode or onset - body temperature is rising but has not
yet reached the new set point
2. second phase (course) - the period in which body temperature
reaches its maximum set point and remains fairly constant at the
new higher level
third phase - effervescence or crisis - the period where the
temperature returns to normal
intermittent fever
temperature returns to normal at least once every 24 hours
remittent fever
Fluctuating, remains elevated and does not return to baseline
constant (sustained) fever
temperature may fluctuate slightly but is always above normal
relapsing or recurrent fever
short periods of fever alternating with periods of normal
temperatures each lasting 1 to 2 days
contrast between hyperthermia and fever
in both the body temperature is above normal
however, in hyperthermia the elevated body temperature is
higher than the set point
