Temperature and other Clinical Vital Signs

Question 1

What is a normal resting pulse?

Answer 1

60-100 bpm *

Question 2

What is the normal respiratory rate?

Answer 2

12-20 breaths per min

Question 3

What is the normal capillary refill time?

Answer 3

under 2 seconds

Question 4

What is the normal oxygen saturation?

Answer 4

over 95%

Question 5

What is the normal tympanic temperature?

Answer 5

35.5 - 37.5

Question 6

What is the normal rectal temperature?

Answer 6

36.7 - 37.5

Question 7

What is the BMR? (Basal Metabolic Rate)

Answer 7

minimum amount of energy required to sustain vital body functions

Question 8

What can increase the BMR?

Answer 8

Hormones

Question 9

What does shivering do?

Answer 9

Increasing heat production by increasing muscle activity

Question 10

What are the 4 heat exchanges with the external environment?

Answer 10

Radiation, conduction, convection, evaporation

Question 11

What are the sensors in temperature control?

Answer 11

Central (hypothalamus. internal organs) and peripheral thermoreceptors (in skin)

Question 12

Where is the control centre for temperature control?

Answer 12

Hypothalamus

Question 13

What are the effectors in temperature control?

Answer 13

Skeletal muscles, skin arterioles and sweat glands (behavioural too)

Question 14

What is the posterior hypothalamus activated by?

Answer 14

Cold

Question 15

What is the anterior hypothalamus activated by?

Answer 15

Warmth

Question 16

What happens to the skin arterioles when the body is too warm?

Answer 16

Vasodilation - blood flow to the skin surface is increased

Question 17

What happens to the skeletal muscles when the body is too cold?

Answer 17

Shivering, increased muscle tone and voluntary movement (behavioural)

Question 18

What is an endogenous pyrogen?

Answer 18

A chemical which induces a fever, given off by macrophages

Question 19

What does endogenous pyrogen do?

Answer 19

Stimulate the release of prostaglandins in the hypothalamus.

Question 20

What do prostaglandins make the hypothalamus do?

Answer 20

Reset the thermostat at a higher temperature

Question 21

How can the hypothalamic set point be restored to normal?

Answer 21

If the pyrogen release is reduced or prostaglandin production is decreased / ceased.

Question 22

What is the temperature range for a fever?

Answer 22

38 - 40

Question 23

What is the temperature range for hyperthermia?

Answer 23

Above 40

Question 24

What is the temperature range for hypothermia?

Answer 24

At or below 35