NSG 170 Thermoregulation Test with
Accurate Solutions
Describe the basic principles of thermoregulation (shivering, sweat, vasoconstriction,
hypothalamus role) - ANS-
Hypothalamus role - ANS-Thermoregulation is an aspect of homeostasis that balances
heat gain and heat loss; it is regulated by a circadian variation in the hypothalamic "set
point"; body temp in the middle of a person's usually sleeping time will normally be
lower, then begins to rise with their normal waking time, and peaks (rises) again late in
their usually activity period, decreasing again around the person's usual bedtime;
physiological adjustments to body temp are controlled by the hypothalamus-often
considered the thermostat center of the body
Shivering - ANS-Muscles start to contract and relax, increasing respiration rate and
release of energy
-Helps heat up the body
Sweat - ANS-perspiration process is explained by evaporation of moisture from the skin
surface
-this provides a significant source of heat reduction and normally accounts for 600 mL of
water loss per day
-in extreme heat, an individual can lose as much as 4 L of fluids in an hour; for this
reason, replacement of fluids and electrolytes is essential to prevent dehydration
Vasoconstriction (reduce heat loss) - ANS--in addition to heat production, the body
conserves heat through peripheral vasoconstriction
-this process shuts warm blood away from the superficial body tissues and skin surface
and increases muscle activity
-causes skin to feel cool and slows the cap refill
identify risk factors r/t altered thermoregulation - ANS-
Populations at greatest risk for problems with thermoregulation are: - ANS--very young
persons
-very old persons
-poor persons
-person living in very hot or cold climates
Individual risk factors: - ANS--Cognitive impairment
-Malnourishment
, -Fluid intake
-Impaired mobility
-Environmental exposure
-Injury to CNS
Plan prevention strategies r/t complications of thermoregulation (external and internal) -
ANS-
2 types of external - ANS-passive
active
Passive external (spontaneous) rewarming - ANS-Move pt to warm, dry place; remove
damp clothing; use radiation lights; place warm blankets on pt
Active external (surface) rewarming - ANS-fluid or air-filled warming blankets, warm
water immersion
Internal (Active) - ANS--core rewarming
-heated, humidified oxygen
-warmed IV fluids
-peritoneal lavage with warmed fluids
-extracorporeal circulation with
(cardiopulmonary bypass, rapid fluid infuser, hemodialysis)
Identify assessment data including diagnostic and laboratory tests to determine an
individual's thermoregulatory status - ANS-
Clinical Nursing Skills for Thermoregulation: Assessment - ANS-Subjective Data
Objective Data
History- age, health history, family history and social history (work etc.)
Monitoring VS - ANS-Temp
HR
RR
BP
External warming devices - ANS-Warm blankets
Administer warm oral fluids
Active core warming - ANS-•Warm intravenous fluids
•Heated humidified oxygen
•Warm fluid lavage
Cooling measures - ANS-•Cool water bath
•Cool intravenous fluids
•Cool fluid lavage
Accurate Solutions
Describe the basic principles of thermoregulation (shivering, sweat, vasoconstriction,
hypothalamus role) - ANS-
Hypothalamus role - ANS-Thermoregulation is an aspect of homeostasis that balances
heat gain and heat loss; it is regulated by a circadian variation in the hypothalamic "set
point"; body temp in the middle of a person's usually sleeping time will normally be
lower, then begins to rise with their normal waking time, and peaks (rises) again late in
their usually activity period, decreasing again around the person's usual bedtime;
physiological adjustments to body temp are controlled by the hypothalamus-often
considered the thermostat center of the body
Shivering - ANS-Muscles start to contract and relax, increasing respiration rate and
release of energy
-Helps heat up the body
Sweat - ANS-perspiration process is explained by evaporation of moisture from the skin
surface
-this provides a significant source of heat reduction and normally accounts for 600 mL of
water loss per day
-in extreme heat, an individual can lose as much as 4 L of fluids in an hour; for this
reason, replacement of fluids and electrolytes is essential to prevent dehydration
Vasoconstriction (reduce heat loss) - ANS--in addition to heat production, the body
conserves heat through peripheral vasoconstriction
-this process shuts warm blood away from the superficial body tissues and skin surface
and increases muscle activity
-causes skin to feel cool and slows the cap refill
identify risk factors r/t altered thermoregulation - ANS-
Populations at greatest risk for problems with thermoregulation are: - ANS--very young
persons
-very old persons
-poor persons
-person living in very hot or cold climates
Individual risk factors: - ANS--Cognitive impairment
-Malnourishment
, -Fluid intake
-Impaired mobility
-Environmental exposure
-Injury to CNS
Plan prevention strategies r/t complications of thermoregulation (external and internal) -
ANS-
2 types of external - ANS-passive
active
Passive external (spontaneous) rewarming - ANS-Move pt to warm, dry place; remove
damp clothing; use radiation lights; place warm blankets on pt
Active external (surface) rewarming - ANS-fluid or air-filled warming blankets, warm
water immersion
Internal (Active) - ANS--core rewarming
-heated, humidified oxygen
-warmed IV fluids
-peritoneal lavage with warmed fluids
-extracorporeal circulation with
(cardiopulmonary bypass, rapid fluid infuser, hemodialysis)
Identify assessment data including diagnostic and laboratory tests to determine an
individual's thermoregulatory status - ANS-
Clinical Nursing Skills for Thermoregulation: Assessment - ANS-Subjective Data
Objective Data
History- age, health history, family history and social history (work etc.)
Monitoring VS - ANS-Temp
HR
RR
BP
External warming devices - ANS-Warm blankets
Administer warm oral fluids
Active core warming - ANS-•Warm intravenous fluids
•Heated humidified oxygen
•Warm fluid lavage
Cooling measures - ANS-•Cool water bath
•Cool intravenous fluids
•Cool fluid lavage
