Lecture 7: Thermoregulation & Post Op Care (Exam 1) Flashcards
Define thermoregulation
Ability of an organism to maintain body temp w/in a certain range (+/- 0.2 degree C) even when surrounding temps vary
What is the norm temp ranges in cats and dogs
100 to 102.5 F
Most domestic mammals are (homeothermic/ poikilothermic)
Homeothermic
What animals are poikilothermic
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Some fish
What transmits temperature signals to the CNS (hypothalamus)
Spinothalamic tract
What fibers are important to thermo regulation pathways
A gamma fibers & C fibers
Define radiation
Loss of heat via electromagnetic waves
Define convection
Process of losing heat through the movement of air or water molecules across the skin
Define conduction
Loss of heat to objects directly in contact w/ the body
Define evaporation
Loss of heat through conversion of water to gas (moisture from skin & lungs)
Give examples of radiation
- A body is warmed by absorbing rays of sunshine & the body loses heat by thermal radiation
- Wood stove warming a room
- Microwave uses electromagnetic radiation to transfer heat to food
Give examples of convection
- Fan blowing on you
- Wind-chill factor
- Swimming in a cold pool or moving body of water
Give examples of conduction
- A seat stay warm after you have sat on it
- Cold surgery table cooling a px down
- Holding cold water bottle to your head
Give examples of evaporation
- Passively through respiration (air breathed out has moisture)
- Active through sweating (body creates a layer of water on the skin to cool down
What is radiation
The transfer of heat via electromagnetic waves through airspace
When does radiation occur
When ambient temp is below 68 degrees F
T/F: Most of the electromagnetic radiation that comes to the earth from the sun is invisible
True
What body temp defines hypothermia?
How varied it is from their norm temp
What factors are related to heat loss
- Drugs
- Size of the px
- Not good nutrition/immune sys
- Amount of body fat
Fill out the chart:
What are the passive rewarming techs
- blankets/towels
- Wrap extremeties
What are the active rewarming tech
- Forced - air blankets
- Circulating warm water blankets
- Resistive polymer electric heating
- Humidifiers placed (not really used)
- IVF warmers
- Warm fluids to lavage in abdominal cavity
- Prewarming pxs skin and peripheral tissue
T/F: The use of an electric heating pad/blanket is safe for use in anesthetized or recovering px
False it is not
What body temp defines hyperthermia
When px is experiencing a higher temp than normal for them