NSG 170 – Thermoregulation Exam
Question and Answers
What is thermoregulation? - ANSWER-the process of maintaining the core body
temperature at a nearly constant value
Normal body temperature range - ANSWER-The range is from 36.2°C to 37.6°C (97°F
to 100°F)
The average temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
Normothermia - ANSWER-The state in which body temperature is within the "normal"
range
Hypothermia - ANSWER-refers to a body temperature below normal range (<36.2°C)
Signs of hypothermia - ANSWER-decreased body temperature and respirations, pale
and cool skin, hypotension (decreased blood pressure) decreased muscle coordination
and urinary output, disorientation, and drowsiness progressing to coma.
Mild Hypothermia - ANSWER-(34-36 C); pt is usually alert and shivering in an attempt
to generate heat; pulse rate and resp. are usually rapid; skin may be flushed (red) but
may turn to pale due to bodies constriction of blood vessels at the skin to retain heat,
than cyanotic; may have blue lips or fingertips
Moderate Hypothermia - ANSWER-(30-34 C). Lethargy, sleepy, slow pulse. Loss of
dexterity, may not be able to ambulate. pale or blue extremities. May no longer shiver.
Severe Hypothermia - ANSWER-(less than 30 C); shivering stops and muscular activity
decreases; pt becomes lethargic; LOC decreases; BP drops; poor condition and
memory loss; reduced or complete loss of sensation of touch, mood changes, and
impaired judgment; resp slow; @ 80 degrees or less, all cardiovascular activity may
cease; pupil reaction is slow
What is a major sign of hypothermia? - ANSWER-Sleepiness
Hyperthermia - ANSWER-refers to a body temperature above normal range (>37.6°C)
Signs of hyperthermia - ANSWER-a. Vasodilation occurs, causing the skin to appear
flushed and warm or hot to touch
b. Diaphoresis
,c. Dry skin and membranes
d. Decreased urinary output (and other signs of dehydration)
e. Seizures
f. Cognitive changes: slightly confused or delirious to coma.
Hyperpyrexia - ANSWER-extremely high body temperature or fever
____ establishes a set point for core body temp - ANSWER-Hypothalamus
Heat is produced through _____ in the cells. - ANSWER-Metabolic activity (chemical
reactions)
Metabolic activity involves the ingestion and metabolism of food and the basal metabolic
rate
The greatest amount of heat is produced by the ____ and through metabolic activity in
the ____ - ANSWER-Muscles; Liver
The basal metabolic rate changes with ___ - ANSWER-Age
The contraction of muscles produces heat through _____ and _____. - ANSWER-
Muscle Tone; Shivering
____ consumption, ____ activity, and _____ levels affect the amount of heat produced.
- ANSWER-Food; Physical; Hormone
Chemical thermogenesis occurs as a result of ____ release, which increases metabolic
rate - ANSWER-Epinephrine
The body conserves heat through ____ - ANSWER-peripheral vasoconstriction
The process shunts warm blood away from the superficial body tissues and skin
surfaces and increases muscle activity to minimize heat loss.
____ occurs as a result of multiple mechanisms, including radiation, conduction,
convection, vasodilation, evaporation, reduced muscle activity, and increased
respiration - ANSWER-Heat Loss
Radiation occurs through a process of ____ that emit heat from skin surfaces to the air.
- ANSWER-Electromagnetic waves
The degree of heat loss through radiation is directly related to the difference between
ambient air temperature, skin temperature, and exposure.
Evaporation - ANSWER-The change of state from a liquid to a gas
, Conduction - ANSWER-transfer of heat through direct contact of one surface to another
___ surfaces lose heat to ___ surfaces. - ANSWER-Warmer; Cooler
Convection - ANSWER-loss of heat by air currents (caused by wind or a fan) moving
across the body surface
Heat loss can be increased through ____, which brings greater vol. of blood to body
surface. - ANSWER-Peripheral vasodilation
Perspiration - ANSWER-sweat
evaporation of moisture from the skin surface
Sweat normally accounts for ___ mL of water loss per day - ANSWER-600
In extreme heat, an individual can lose as much as ___ L of fluids in an hour. -
ANSWER-4
Replacing fluids and electrolytes are is essential to preventing ____ - ANSWER-
Dehydration
During respiration, cool ambient air is inhaled and ___ in the respiratory tract and by the
microcirculation within the ____. - ANSWER-Warmed; Alveoli
Warmed air is then exhaled
Elevated respiratory rates are seen among individuals with ___, and lower respiratory
rates are seen in individuals with ___. - ANSWER-Elevated temperature; Hypothermia
Peripheral thermoreceptors are located in the _____ - ANSWER-Skin
Central thermoreceptors are located in the _____ - ANSWER-spinal cord, abdominal
organs, and hypothalamus
The hypothalamus also stimulates the ____ system, which triggers the adrenal cortex to
increase muscle tone and initiate a shivering and vasoconstriction response. -
ANSWER-Sympathetic nervous
____ do NOT have heat-conserving capacity. - ANSWER-Newborns
A newborn infant has a unique source of heat from ____. - ANSWER-Brown Adipose
Tissue (BAT)
Blood passes through BAT warmed by metabolism and carries heat to the rest of the
body
Question and Answers
What is thermoregulation? - ANSWER-the process of maintaining the core body
temperature at a nearly constant value
Normal body temperature range - ANSWER-The range is from 36.2°C to 37.6°C (97°F
to 100°F)
The average temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
Normothermia - ANSWER-The state in which body temperature is within the "normal"
range
Hypothermia - ANSWER-refers to a body temperature below normal range (<36.2°C)
Signs of hypothermia - ANSWER-decreased body temperature and respirations, pale
and cool skin, hypotension (decreased blood pressure) decreased muscle coordination
and urinary output, disorientation, and drowsiness progressing to coma.
Mild Hypothermia - ANSWER-(34-36 C); pt is usually alert and shivering in an attempt
to generate heat; pulse rate and resp. are usually rapid; skin may be flushed (red) but
may turn to pale due to bodies constriction of blood vessels at the skin to retain heat,
than cyanotic; may have blue lips or fingertips
Moderate Hypothermia - ANSWER-(30-34 C). Lethargy, sleepy, slow pulse. Loss of
dexterity, may not be able to ambulate. pale or blue extremities. May no longer shiver.
Severe Hypothermia - ANSWER-(less than 30 C); shivering stops and muscular activity
decreases; pt becomes lethargic; LOC decreases; BP drops; poor condition and
memory loss; reduced or complete loss of sensation of touch, mood changes, and
impaired judgment; resp slow; @ 80 degrees or less, all cardiovascular activity may
cease; pupil reaction is slow
What is a major sign of hypothermia? - ANSWER-Sleepiness
Hyperthermia - ANSWER-refers to a body temperature above normal range (>37.6°C)
Signs of hyperthermia - ANSWER-a. Vasodilation occurs, causing the skin to appear
flushed and warm or hot to touch
b. Diaphoresis
,c. Dry skin and membranes
d. Decreased urinary output (and other signs of dehydration)
e. Seizures
f. Cognitive changes: slightly confused or delirious to coma.
Hyperpyrexia - ANSWER-extremely high body temperature or fever
____ establishes a set point for core body temp - ANSWER-Hypothalamus
Heat is produced through _____ in the cells. - ANSWER-Metabolic activity (chemical
reactions)
Metabolic activity involves the ingestion and metabolism of food and the basal metabolic
rate
The greatest amount of heat is produced by the ____ and through metabolic activity in
the ____ - ANSWER-Muscles; Liver
The basal metabolic rate changes with ___ - ANSWER-Age
The contraction of muscles produces heat through _____ and _____. - ANSWER-
Muscle Tone; Shivering
____ consumption, ____ activity, and _____ levels affect the amount of heat produced.
- ANSWER-Food; Physical; Hormone
Chemical thermogenesis occurs as a result of ____ release, which increases metabolic
rate - ANSWER-Epinephrine
The body conserves heat through ____ - ANSWER-peripheral vasoconstriction
The process shunts warm blood away from the superficial body tissues and skin
surfaces and increases muscle activity to minimize heat loss.
____ occurs as a result of multiple mechanisms, including radiation, conduction,
convection, vasodilation, evaporation, reduced muscle activity, and increased
respiration - ANSWER-Heat Loss
Radiation occurs through a process of ____ that emit heat from skin surfaces to the air.
- ANSWER-Electromagnetic waves
The degree of heat loss through radiation is directly related to the difference between
ambient air temperature, skin temperature, and exposure.
Evaporation - ANSWER-The change of state from a liquid to a gas
, Conduction - ANSWER-transfer of heat through direct contact of one surface to another
___ surfaces lose heat to ___ surfaces. - ANSWER-Warmer; Cooler
Convection - ANSWER-loss of heat by air currents (caused by wind or a fan) moving
across the body surface
Heat loss can be increased through ____, which brings greater vol. of blood to body
surface. - ANSWER-Peripheral vasodilation
Perspiration - ANSWER-sweat
evaporation of moisture from the skin surface
Sweat normally accounts for ___ mL of water loss per day - ANSWER-600
In extreme heat, an individual can lose as much as ___ L of fluids in an hour. -
ANSWER-4
Replacing fluids and electrolytes are is essential to preventing ____ - ANSWER-
Dehydration
During respiration, cool ambient air is inhaled and ___ in the respiratory tract and by the
microcirculation within the ____. - ANSWER-Warmed; Alveoli
Warmed air is then exhaled
Elevated respiratory rates are seen among individuals with ___, and lower respiratory
rates are seen in individuals with ___. - ANSWER-Elevated temperature; Hypothermia
Peripheral thermoreceptors are located in the _____ - ANSWER-Skin
Central thermoreceptors are located in the _____ - ANSWER-spinal cord, abdominal
organs, and hypothalamus
The hypothalamus also stimulates the ____ system, which triggers the adrenal cortex to
increase muscle tone and initiate a shivering and vasoconstriction response. -
ANSWER-Sympathetic nervous
____ do NOT have heat-conserving capacity. - ANSWER-Newborns
A newborn infant has a unique source of heat from ____. - ANSWER-Brown Adipose
Tissue (BAT)
Blood passes through BAT warmed by metabolism and carries heat to the rest of the
body
