body temp. and vital signs

Question 1

list the commonly assessed clinical vital signs

Answer 1

pulse (60-100bpm)
blood pressure 
respiratory rate(12-20)
temp.(36-38)
capillary refill time (<2secs)
O2 saturation(>95%)
consciousness(AVPU)

Question 2

state what is meant by the core of the body and what the temp. of this area should be maintained at

Answer 2

the body core is the structures deep within the body, core temp. is maintained at around 37.8

Question 3

state why the core body temp. is maintained homeostatically

Answer 3

it is maintained in a narrow range at normothermia to provide optimum conditions for cellular metabolism and function

Question 4

where is body temp. measured from and what is the normothermia at these areas

Answer 4

ear drum(35.5-37.5)
rectal(36.7-37.5)

Question 5

describe common changes in normothermia

Answer 5

varies slightly per individual, varies at different times in day, can be altered by physical activity or emotion, exposure to extreme temp., varies slightly during menstrual cycle

Question 6

what are the features that effect heat gain and heat loss

Answer 6

heat gain = metabolic heat, radiation

heat loss = convection, conduction, radiation, evaporation

Question 7

describe internal heat gain by metabolic heat

Answer 7

basal metabolic rate(BMR) leads to basic level of heat production, BMR can be increased by hormones, muscle activity, shivering

Question 8

describe heat gain and loss with external environment by radiation

Answer 8

body emits and absorbs radiant heat, about half of body’s heat loss is through radiation

Question 9

describe heat exchange with external environment by conduction

Answer 9

heat moves from warmer to cold objects, depends on temp. gradient and thermal conductivity, makes up for small percent of total heat exchange

Question 10

describe heat exchange with external environment by convection

Answer 10

by air(or water) currents, combines with conduction.
air around body is warmed and so rises leaving cool air at skin again, process repeated

Question 11

describe heat exchange with external environment by evaporation

Answer 11

energy used to convert water on skin and respiratory airways to vapour, results in evaporative heat loss
can be passive by vapour or active by sweating controlled by sympathetic nervous system