Temperature

Question 1

Normal

Answer 1

Normal oral or ear temp is 37. Range 35.8-37.2.
Circadian variation- lowest early morning.
Rectal 0.5 higher than ear.

Question 2

Hypothermia clinical features

Answer 2

• 36- increased metabolic rate, vasoconstriction.
• 35 (hypothermia)- shivering maximal, impaired judgement.
• 34- uncooperative
• 33- decreased concious level
• 32-28 (severe hypothermia)- progressive decrease conciousness, muscle stiffness, failure or vasoconstriction and shiver, bradyc, hypotension, risk of arrhythmia.
• 28- coma, appears dead, absent pupil and tendon reflexes, spontaneous VF.
• 20- assytole or profound bradyarhythmia.

Question 3

Fever

Answer 3

Causes- infection, immunological disturbance, malignancy.
Morning oral temp over 37.2, or evening over 37.7=fever.
Temp generally lower in elderly so fever may be less pronounced.

Question 4

Hypothermia= core temp under 35

Answer 4

Need to measure at multiple sites to confirm eg EAM and rectum.
Causes-
-elderly immobile living alone, especially in winter
-water immersion and near drowning
-LT unconsciousness in low ambient temp especially if alcohol which causes peripheral vasodilation, drug OD, stroke, head injury.
-severe hypothyroid.