Module 03: Vital Signs Assessment Flashcards
What part of the brain is responsible for the neural and vascular control?
Hypothalamus
Where is the hypothalamus located?
Located between the cerebral hemisphere
What does the hypothalamus control?
Body temperature
Which part of the hypothalamus in the neural and vascular control is responsible for heat lost?
Anterior Hypothalamus
Which part of the hypothalamus in the neural and vascular control is responsible for heat production?
Posterior Hypothalamus
This is produced by the body and a by-product of metabolism, which is the chemical reaction in all body cells.
Heat production
What are the different types of heat loss?
(1) Radiation
(2) Conduction
(3) Convection
(4) Evaporation
This is the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without direct contact between the two.
Radiation
This is the transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact.
Conduction
This is the transfer of heat away by air movement. A fan promotes heat loss through this approach.
Convection
This is the transfer of heat energy when a liquid is changed to a gas. The body continously loses heat by this approach.
Evaporation
This is the visible perspiration primarily occurring on the forehead and upper thorax, although you can see it in other places on the body.
Diaphoresis
What are the factors affecting body temperature?
(1) Exercise
(2) Hormone Level
(3) Circadian Rhythm
(4) Stress
(5) Environment
How does exercise affect the body temperature?
The form of exercise increases metabolism and heat production as well as body temperature.
How does the hormone level affect the body temperature?
Hormonal variations during menstrual cycle make cause body temperature fluctuations.
What is the normal circadian rhythm?
Temperature normally changes 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius (0.9 to 1.8 degrees F)
When is the circadian rhythm low?
Temperature is low between 1:00am and 4;00 am.
How does stress affect body temperature?
Physical and emotional stress increase body temperature through hormonal and neural stimulation.
How does environment affect body temperature?
Environmental temperatures affect infants and older more often because their temperature regulating mechanisms are less efficient.
This is the abnormal rise in body temperature.
Fever or pyrexia
When can the nurse conclude that the patient has fever or pyrexia?
When the patient’s body temperature is above 100.4 degrees F or 38 degrees C.
What is the body temperature of a patient with fever or pyrexia when recorded by a rectal thermometer?
38 degrees C or 100 degrees F
What is the body temperature of a patient with fever or pyrexia when recorded by an oral thermometer?
37.8 degrees C or 100 degrees F
What is the body temperature of a patient with fever or pyrexia when recorded by an axillary thermometer?
37.2 degrees C or 99 degrees F
This form of temperature alteration pertains to an elevated body temperature related to the inability of the body to promote heat loss to reduce heat production.
Hyperthermia
What does FUO mean?
Fever of Unknown Origin
This type of temperature alteration is caused by the environmental heat exposure and presents with diaphoresis that results in excess water or electrolyte loss.
Heat exhaustion
What is the range based on the mild hypothermia by core temperature?
32 to 35 degrees C (90.0 to 95 degrees F)
What is the range based on the moderate hypothermia by core temperature?
28 to 32 degrees C (82 to 90 degrees F)
How should the nursing process be applied in terms of checking for the patient’s body temperature?
Knowledge on the physiology of body temperature regulation is essential to assess and evaluate a patient’s response to temperature alterations and intervene safely
What is the formula when converting Fahrenheit to Celsius?
C = (F - 32) x 5/9
What is the formula when converting Celsius to Fahrenheit?
F = (9/5 x C) + 32
What are the different types of thermometer?
(1) Digital Thermometer with disposable probe
(2) Tympanic Thermometer
(3) Temporal Thermometer
(4) Disposable Thermometer Strips
What should the nurse do in terms of diagnosis under the nursing process in body temperature?
(1) Identify patterns or clusters of assessment data to form a nursing diagnosis
(2) Accurately select the related factor for problem-focused diagnosis
What are some examples of nursing diagnosis under body temperature?
(1) Impaired thermoregulation
(2) Risk for impaired thermoregulation
(3) Hyperthermia
(4) Fever
(5) Chronic fever
What should the nurse do in terms of planning under the nursing process in body temperature?
Integrate knowledge gathered from assessment and the patient’s clinical condition to develop individualized plan of care.
What should the nurse do in terms of implementation under the nursing process in body temperature?
(1) Health promotion maintain balance between heat production and heat loss.
(2) Restorative and continuing care educate the patient with a fever about the importance of taking and continuing any antibiotics as directed.
What are the different types of nursing interventions for febrile patients?
(1) Obtain cultures of body fluids such as urine, sputum, or blood (before beginning antibiotics) if ordered.
(2) Obtain blood culture specimen
(3) Minimize heat production, reduce frequency of activities and allow for rest periods
(4) Minimize heat loss; reduce external covering on patient’s body without causing shivering.
(5) Satisfy requirements for increase metabolic rate: provide supplemental oxygen therapy as ordered to improve oxygen delivery to body cells.
(6) Promote patient comfort
(7) Identify onset and duration of febrile episode phases
(8) Initiate health teaching
(9) Control environmental temperature to 21 to 27 degrees C ( 70 - 80 degrees F)
What should the nurse do in terms of evaluation under the nursing process in body temperature?
(1) Evaluate your patient’s perspectives about the care provided.
(2) Evaluate all nursing interventions.
This is the palpable bounding of blood flow in a peripheral artery.
Pulse
The pulse is an indirect indicator of what?
Circulatory Status
The impulse from this travel through the heart muscle to stimulate muscle contraction.
Impulse from sinoatrial node (SA)