Temperature and Fevers Flashcards
What is the normal adult temperature?
98.6 degrees F
Temperature is the byproduct of what?
normal metabolism
About _____ the energy released from ________ is transformed into heat energy?
half
catabolism of food
What is the normal body temperature RANGE?
96-99.6 degrees
When is body temperature normally lowest?
during sleep
When is body temperature highest?
most activity
What other physiologic factors can alter temperature somewhat?
ambient temperature, clothing, anxiety, digestion, ovulation
What is a remittent fever?
varying during the course but not returning to normal until they resolve.
How does an infection change temperature?
pyrogens alert the hypothalamus to reset the thermoregulatory system.
Can children develop a fever for no apparent reason?
yes
How are fevers different in children than in adults?
often higher and fluctuate more dramatically
What happens during a fever?
blood is diverted to the core; the body senses it’s cold and starts shivering to generate heat
A typical fever has how many phases?
what are they (basic)?
3
1 - chills
2 - hot stage
3 - sweating
What are the muscle contractions caused by the first stage of the fever called?
chills or rigors (need for blankets and warmer clothing)
What occurs when temperature rapidly rises from normal to fever level?
febrile convulsions
When the temperature reaches the set point of the fever what stage is that?
hot stage (2)
The third stage is sweating, why does this happen?
it is the way the heat dissipates when the fever is no longer needed.
What are relapsing fevers? Are they common in the US?
fevers occur, resolve, and recur again in a few days.
NO, rare
Relapsing fevers are associated with what conditions and where?
Hodgkin’s disease and malaria
ticks and lice transmission primarily in other countries
Pyrexia is fever between what degrees?
patient’s normal and 105 degrees
Why is pyrexia significant?
possibility for dehydration
What is hyperpyrexia?
fever greater than 105 degrees
Why is hyperpyrexia dangerous?
potentially deadly and indicate damage to hypothalamus or heat stroke
Can an infection induced fever reach 106 degrees?
no, b/c bodies have a built in mechanism that prevents it from reaching 106
A fever is a natural defense but it can contribute to what that may be harmful?
dehydration
What do doctors always recommend with a fever?
rest and plenty of fluids
With fevers who should you exercise caution with?
children and elderly and those compromised by other ailments.
How much water can an athlete lose during exercise in a hot and humid environment?
22 ounces every 20 minutes
How much water can the body absorb every 20 minutes?
6 ounces
What is it called when the loss of sodium causes involuntary hypertonicity of the legs and abdomen?
heat cramps
Weakness, dizziness, faintness, headaches, or rapid, shallow breathing are symptoms of what?
heat exhaustion
What is heat exhaustion?
body tries to cool itself by sending blood from core to skin. (results in cold, clammy, sweaty skin). Heart and CNS become relatively deprived of blood.
Hot dry skin, nervous system induced symptoms such as dyspnea, arrhythmia, dilated pupils, seizures, coma and death are symptoms of what?
heat stroke
What causes heat stroke?
high temps with high humidity makes difficult for body to cool by evaporation of perspiration.
What is hypothermia?
exposure to cold resulting in body temperature of 95 degrees or less
