Ch 4 - Vital Signs Flashcards
body temperature is regulated by which part of the brain?
hypothalamus
how does the body produce heat?
voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions
digestion, cell metabolism when nutrients are broken down in the cell
fever and strong emotional states
how does the body lose heat?
urine, feces, water vapor during exhalation
perspiration is the excretion of moisture through the pores of the skin
moisture evaporates
definition of radiation
transfer of heat in the forms of waves; body heat is continually radiating into cooler surroundings
definition of conduction
the transfer of heat from one object to another by direct contact; heat can be transferred by conduction from the body to a cooler object it touches
definition of convection
transfer of heat through air currents; cool air currents can cause the body to lose heat
what is the body temperature range
97 - 99 F
36.1 - 37.2 C
what body temperatures indicate a fever?
greater than
100.4 F
38 C
pyrexia
fever
what temperature range constitute a low grade fever?
99 - 100.4 F
37.2 - 38 C
what temperature constitute hyperpyrexia?
greater than
105.8 F / 41 C
greater than 109.4 F / 43 C if generally fatal
what temperature is considered hypothermia?
below 97 F/ 36.1 C
list ten pulse sites
radial apical brachial ulnar temporal carotid femoral popliteal posterior tibial dorsalis pedis
crackles/rales
air moving through airways that contain fluid
dry or wet intermittent sounds that vary in pitch
audible only via stethoscope
rhonchi
thick secretions, tumors, spasms that partially obstruct air flow through large upper airways
deep, low-pitched, rumbling sound more audible during expiration
audible only via stethoscope
what are the four basic vital signs
TPR
temperature, pulse, respiration, BP