Physiological Observations Flashcards
Specific conditions required by each cell in the body
temperature, oxygen, pH, fuel supply,
Homeostasis
regulation of the internal conditions
Cold environment reaction
skin pales (vasoconstriction of vessels), skin hairs stand up (piloerection)
Hot environment reaction
skin reddens (vasodilation of vessels), skin hair flatten, sweat more, urine becomes more concentrated, feeling thirsty
Hypothermia
body temperature dropping too low
Hyperthermia
body temperature rising too high
We lose heat
▪ Evaporation ▪ Conduction (by contact) ▪ Radiation ▪ Convection (air currents) Elimination (exhaled air, tears, urine, faeces)
We conserve heat by:
▪ Adipose tissue
▪ Wearing clothes
Piloerection (skin hair)
Measuring core temperature
Only can be done by invasive means (in oesophagus, pulmonary artery, bladder), not practical nor necessary
Estimating core temperature
Non-invasive sites (tympanic (ear), oral cavity, axilla, temporal artery (forehead), rectum). Most common is tympanic (ear).
Peripheral temperatures (surface):
▪ Scalp - 35 ▪ Axilla - 36.5 ▪ Arm - 33.5 ▪ Core - 37 ▪ Finger 33 ▪ Thigh - 33.5 ▪ Leg - 30 Foot - 29
Menstrual cycle affect temperature
Menstruation - 37 - 36.5
Second half of cycle - ovulation and progesterone release - 37 - 37.5
Skin temperature during activity:
Muscle and rectal temperature will rise from 35 to 41
Mean skin temperature will drop from 33 to 29
Systemic infection
widespread, fever response occurs, macrophages (defence cells) - travel to hypothalamus and reset body’s thermostat
Systolic pressure
peak when blood is pushed out by the heart
Diastolic pressure
low - when blood flows between the pumps, is interrupted by a small dip (dicrotic notch)
Blood pressure measure
mmHg millimetres of mercury
Dicrotic notch
falling pressure is interrupted when semilunar valves close
Systolic BP normal values
Adult - 120-140 (ideal 90-120)
10 years and over - age+100
1-10 years - (agex2)+85
Infant - 65-100)
Diastolic BP normal values
Adult 80-90 (ideal 60-80)
10 years and over - 65-85
1-10 years - 55-75
Infant - 45-65
Hypertension
higher than normal blood pressure
Hypotension
lower than normal blood pressure
What affects blood pressure
cardiac output and diameter of vessels
Cardiac output
amount of blood leaving the heart, cardiac output= HR x SV
Vascular or peripheral resistance
diameter of vessels into which blood is pumped
Pulse
measures heart rate and rhythm in beats per minute (bpm)
Weak or absent pulse
affects circulation of gases, fluids, nutrients, hormones, heat and waste products, effectively impair cellular homeostasis
Temporal artery
side of the skull on the temple
Facial artery
under jaw
Common carotid artery
on the neck
Brachial artery
inside of elbow
Radial artery
on the wrist
Femoral artery
side of pubic bone
Popliteal artery
under knee
Posterior tibial artery
inside of ankle
Dorsalis pedis artery
top of the foot (middle)
Heart rate average ranges (bpm)
Over 12 - 60-115 5-12 years - 65-135 2-5 years - 80-150 1-2 years - 100-160 Under 1 year - 110-170
Tachycardia
resting heart rate faster than average
Bradycardia
heart rate under 60 for children and adults, and under 80 in neonates
Upper respiratory system:
Nasal cavity
Pharynx - joining mouth tube and nose tube in throat
Esophagus
Larynx (voice box)
Trachea (windpipe) - surrounded by cartilage
Oxygen journey
inhaled enters lungs and diffuses into pulmonary capillaries. Within blood oxygen bonds to haemoglobin (Hb) within erythrocytes to be transported to tissue cells. Then it is used in cellular respiration to generate energy. Waste produced is heat, CO2 and water. CO2 travels to lungs to be exhaled
Normal respiratory values (breaths per minute)
Adults - 12 - 18 Over 12 years - 15-20 5-12 years - 17-23 2-5 years - 20-25 1-2 years - 25-35 Under 1 year - 30-40
Tachypnoea
faster than normal respiratory rate
Bradypnoea
slower than normal respiratory rate
Dyspnoea
breathing difficult/ breathlessness
Orthopnoea
difficulty breathing while lying down
Apnoea
temporary cessation of breathing
Pulse oximetry -
oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in the arterial blood system (%), Hb changes colour from dark blue to red when O2 binds
Normal oxygen saturation
94-98%
Hypothalamus
is a small region of the brain. It’s located at the base of the brain, near the pituitary gland. While it’s very small, the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many important functions, including: releasing hormones. regulating body temperature.
Autonomic nervous system
regulates certain body processes, such as blood pressure and the rate of breathing. This system works automatically (autonomously), without a person’s conscious effort.
vasoconstriction
the constriction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.
Vasodilation
the dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.
Diurnal
during the day/ daily
Histamine
compound involved in local immune responses, as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter for the brain, spinal cord, and uterus. Histamine is involved in the inflammatory response.
Pyrogen
a substance, typically produced by a bacterium, which produces fever when introduced or released into the blood.
Macrophage
is a type of phagocyte, which is a cell responsible for detecting, engulfing and destroying pathogens and apoptotic cells. Macrophages are produced through the differentiation of monocytes, which turn into macrophages when they leave the blood.
Semilunar valve
each of a pair of valves in the heart, at the bases of the aorta and the pulmonary artery, consisting of three cusps or flaps which prevent the flow of blood back into the heart.
Stroke volume
In cardiovascular physiology, stroke volume is the volume of blood pumped from the left ventricle per beat.
haemoglobin
a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates. Its molecule comprises four subunits, each containing an iron atom bound to a haem group.
