NUR 612 Exam 1 (Module 1) UAB Exam Questions with Correct Answers 100% Verified By
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Physiology Methods of Obtaining Core Temperature Core temperatures are more accurate
than skin temperatures
Core temperatures are measured:
From a rectal temperature
From the esophagus using a flexible thermometer (commonly used in the operating room
during surgery)
From a pulmonary artery catheter that is used for thermodilution measurement of cardiac
output
From bladder catheters with temperature probes at the tip
Oral, ear, skin, and pacifier temperatures are best used to monitor trends in body temperature
Heat Loss Occurs through transfer of body core heat to the surface through the vascular
system and circulation
Methods of heat loss
Radiation: transfer of heat through vacuum or air
Environmental temp < body temperature
This is why newborn babies wear hats for the first few days—there is tremendous heat loss
from those big heads (relative to the size of the body)
Conduction: direct transfer of heat from molecule to molecule
When IV fluids are infused, body temperature drops because heat is transferred to the water
A warm bath causes body temperature to rise
Consider what happens when someone falls into cold water—body temperature falls quickly
Convection: heat transfer with moving air (remember those very expensive ovens)
,Wind chill factor is an example of convective loss
Evaporation: when water evaporates, energy is removed and cooling occurs
Occurs ONLY when environmental temperature > body temperature (compare and contrast
with radiation)
Fever Fever, or pyrexia, describes an elevation in body temperature that is caused by an
upward displacement of the thermo-static set point of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory
center. Temperature is one of the most frequent physiologic responses to be monitored during
illness.
Exogenous or endogenous substances that produce fever
Exogenous pyrogens are derived from outside the body.
Bacterial products, bacterial toxins, or whole microorganisms induce host cells to produce
fever-producing mediators.
Endogenous pyrogens are released by phagocytic cells after consuming the exogenous
pyrogens (Lots more to come in a later module)
Pyrogenic cytokines
Interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor
Benefits of fever
Signals the presence of an infection
Small elevations in temperature enhance immune function
Inhibits growth of pathogens in the fever range
Disadvantages of fever
Increases oxygen demand
Can produce confusion
When prolonged, proteins are used for energy
Tachycardia
,Tachypnea
Can be life threatening if prolonged by causing acidosis, hypoxia and hyperkalemia
The Four Stages of Fever Prodrome
Mild headache, fatigue, malaise, fleeting pains
Chill
Uncomfortable sensation of being chilled, shaking rigors, vasoconstriction
This is not the same as "just feeling cold"
Flush
Cutaneous vasodilation, skin warm and flushed
Defervescence
The initiation of sweating
Patterns of Fever Intermittent
Temperature returns to normal at least once every 24 hours.
Remittent
Temperature does not return to normal and varies in either direction.
Sustained or Continuous
The temperature remains above normal with minimal variations
Recurrent or Relapsing
, There is one or more episodes of fever as long as several days with one or more days of normal
temperature between episodes.
Relationship of fever and heart rate is an important clinical finding
Common Manifestations of Fever Anorexia
Myalgia
Arthralgia
Fatigue
Dehydration
Fever Diagnosis Typically, fever is due to common infections and is relatively easy to
diagnose
Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)
Temperature > 38.3o C (101o F) for three weeks or longer
At least one week of comprehensive diagnostic testing that does not identify a diagnosis
Common causes of FUO
Malignancies
Infection
HIV
TB
Abscesses
Drug fever
Cirrhosis
Experts| Latest Update Guaranteed Success
Physiology Methods of Obtaining Core Temperature Core temperatures are more accurate
than skin temperatures
Core temperatures are measured:
From a rectal temperature
From the esophagus using a flexible thermometer (commonly used in the operating room
during surgery)
From a pulmonary artery catheter that is used for thermodilution measurement of cardiac
output
From bladder catheters with temperature probes at the tip
Oral, ear, skin, and pacifier temperatures are best used to monitor trends in body temperature
Heat Loss Occurs through transfer of body core heat to the surface through the vascular
system and circulation
Methods of heat loss
Radiation: transfer of heat through vacuum or air
Environmental temp < body temperature
This is why newborn babies wear hats for the first few days—there is tremendous heat loss
from those big heads (relative to the size of the body)
Conduction: direct transfer of heat from molecule to molecule
When IV fluids are infused, body temperature drops because heat is transferred to the water
A warm bath causes body temperature to rise
Consider what happens when someone falls into cold water—body temperature falls quickly
Convection: heat transfer with moving air (remember those very expensive ovens)
,Wind chill factor is an example of convective loss
Evaporation: when water evaporates, energy is removed and cooling occurs
Occurs ONLY when environmental temperature > body temperature (compare and contrast
with radiation)
Fever Fever, or pyrexia, describes an elevation in body temperature that is caused by an
upward displacement of the thermo-static set point of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory
center. Temperature is one of the most frequent physiologic responses to be monitored during
illness.
Exogenous or endogenous substances that produce fever
Exogenous pyrogens are derived from outside the body.
Bacterial products, bacterial toxins, or whole microorganisms induce host cells to produce
fever-producing mediators.
Endogenous pyrogens are released by phagocytic cells after consuming the exogenous
pyrogens (Lots more to come in a later module)
Pyrogenic cytokines
Interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor
Benefits of fever
Signals the presence of an infection
Small elevations in temperature enhance immune function
Inhibits growth of pathogens in the fever range
Disadvantages of fever
Increases oxygen demand
Can produce confusion
When prolonged, proteins are used for energy
Tachycardia
,Tachypnea
Can be life threatening if prolonged by causing acidosis, hypoxia and hyperkalemia
The Four Stages of Fever Prodrome
Mild headache, fatigue, malaise, fleeting pains
Chill
Uncomfortable sensation of being chilled, shaking rigors, vasoconstriction
This is not the same as "just feeling cold"
Flush
Cutaneous vasodilation, skin warm and flushed
Defervescence
The initiation of sweating
Patterns of Fever Intermittent
Temperature returns to normal at least once every 24 hours.
Remittent
Temperature does not return to normal and varies in either direction.
Sustained or Continuous
The temperature remains above normal with minimal variations
Recurrent or Relapsing
, There is one or more episodes of fever as long as several days with one or more days of normal
temperature between episodes.
Relationship of fever and heart rate is an important clinical finding
Common Manifestations of Fever Anorexia
Myalgia
Arthralgia
Fatigue
Dehydration
Fever Diagnosis Typically, fever is due to common infections and is relatively easy to
diagnose
Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)
Temperature > 38.3o C (101o F) for three weeks or longer
At least one week of comprehensive diagnostic testing that does not identify a diagnosis
Common causes of FUO
Malignancies
Infection
HIV
TB
Abscesses
Drug fever
Cirrhosis
