Chapter 19

Question 1

Objective guideposts that provide data to determine a person’s state of health

Answer 1

Vital Signs

Question 2

Body temperature is maintained by the what?

Answer 2

Hypothalamus

Question 3

Functions as body’s thermostat. Only allows temperature to vary 1 to 2 degrees F throughout the day.

Answer 3

Hypothalamus

Question 4

Temperature is maintained through a balance of what?

Answer 4

• Heat produced in the body
• Heat lost from the body

Question 5

When minor changes in temperature occur, what senses this and makes adjustments so temperature stays within normal range? Example: Playing tennis on a hot day–body’s heat-cooling mechanism is activated; perspiration occurs to remove excess heat

Answer 5

Hypothalamus

Question 6

One of the many ways heat is lost. It is the excretion of moisture through the pores of the skin. When moisture evaporates, heat is released, cooling the body

Answer 6

Perspiration

Question 7

Heat is lost through this also. Transfer of heat in the form of eaves.

Answer 7

Radiation

Question 8

A way heat is lost. Transfer of heat from one object to another by direct contact.

Answer 8

Conduction

Question 9

A way heat is lost. Transfer of heat through air currents. Cool air currents cause body to lose heat.

Answer 9

Convection

Question 10

What is the normal temperature range?

Answer 10

97 degrees F to 99 degrees F

Question 11

What is the average body temperature?

Answer 11

98.6 degrees F (37 degrees Celsius)

Question 12

Fever. Above 100.4 degrees F. Heat being produced is greater than heat being lost.

Answer 12

Pyrexia

Question 13

99 degrees F to 100.4 degrees F

Answer 13

Low-grade fever

Question 14

Above 105.8 degrees F. Serious condition and generally fatal above 109.4 degrees F

Answer 14

Hyperpyrexia

Question 15

Below 97 degrees F. Classified as subnormal. Heat is being lost greater than heat being produced. Person cannot usually survive with a temp below 93.2 F

Answer 15

Hypothermia

Question 16

Does age play a role in temperature? Do infants and young children get high or low temperature compared to adults?

Answer 16

yes. Higher temperature (thermoregulatory) system not yet fully established

Question 17

Do the elderly have lower o higher temperature? What is this due to?

Answer 17

Low temperature
Due to: - loss of subcutaneous fat, lack of exercise, and loss of thermoregulatory control

Question 18

During sleep, body metabolism and muscle contractions slow down. Causes temperature to be low or high in the morning?

Answer 18

Diurnal variations
- low

Question 19

Do emotional states increase or decrease temperature? What about exercise? and pregnancy?

Answer 19

increase

Question 20

Person who has a fever above 100.4 is considered this…

Answer 20

febrile

Question 21

person who does not have a fever is considered this..

Answer 21

afebrile

Question 22

Any substance that produces fever like pathogens. Resets hypothalamus causing temperature to increase above normal

Answer 22

Pyrogen

Question 23

When temperature begins to rise. May be slow or sudden. Patient experiences coldness, chills, and increased pulse and respiratory rate

Answer 23

Onset of fever

Question 24

Body temperature fluctuates minimally– always remains elevated

Answer 24

Continuous

Question 25

Body temperature alternately rises and falls-- at times returns to normal or even becomes subnormal

Answer 25

Intermittent

Question 26

Wide range of temperature fluctuations occurs, all are above normal

Answer 26

Remittent

Question 27

Site chosen for taking temperature depends on: (3)

Answer 27

- Patients age, condition, and state of consciousness - Type of thermometer available - Medical office policy

Question 28

Convenient and one of the most common routes. When MA records temperature, the physician assumes it was taken here unless otherwise noted.

Answer 28

Oral temperature

Question 29

Rich blood supply under the tongue on either side of the what? it is the site placement for he oral thermometer.

Answer 29

frenulum linguae

Question 30

Recommended for toddlers preschoolers, mouth breathers, and patients with oral inflammation or oral surgery. How many degrees lower than oral route?

Answer 30

Axillary temperature - LOWER than 1 degree F

Question 31

Extremely accurate temperature measurement. The most closed cavity. Measures how many degrees HIGHER than oral route? - Recommended for infants and young children, unconscious patients, mouth breathing patients, and when greater accuracy is desired

Answer 31

Rectal Temperature - 1 degree F HIGHER

Question 32

When should rectal temperature reading on someone be avoided?

Answer 32

If done on a newborn. DO NOT do it on a newborn because it can cause rectal trauma

Question 33

Used with tympanic membrane thermometer. Ear is a closed cavity and is easily accessible. MOST comfortable for the patient. - Easier to measure in children younger than age 6, on uncooperative patients, patients unable to have their temperature taken orally

Answer 33

Aural Temperature

Question 34

major artery of the head. Runs across forehead and down the side of the neck. Close to skin surface, easily accessible, and constant steady flow of blood

Answer 34

temporal artery

Question 35

Used on the temporal artery. Ideal site to measure temperature. Can be used on people of ALL ages.

Answer 35

Forehead Temperature

Question 36

Results of a forehead temperature are about the same as what temperature measurement? Approximately how many higher than oral temperature? Approximately how many higher than axillary temperature?

Answer 36

- rectal temperature -1 degree higher than oral temperature - 2 degrees higher than axillary temperature

Question 37

Temporal arteries operating temperature ranges between...

Answer 37

60 degrees F to 104 degrees F