Thermal Therapies Flashcards
What vitals used to do?
Monitor a patient’s condition, identify problems, and evaluate a response to intervention
What are nursing responsibilities when it comes to guidelines for measuring vitals?
Functional equipment, delegate, interpret findings, trends, environmental factors that may affect results. Communicate findings, accurately document, analyze the results, educate the patient about the significance of findings
Body temperature?
Heat produced minus heat lost equals temp.
96.8-100.4 F
36-38 C
What factors affect body temp?
Age, exercise, hormone level, circadian rhythm, stress, environment, temp alterations
How is body temp regulated?
Neural and vascular control. Heat production. Heat loss. Skin temp regulation. Behavioral control. Thermoregulation
Examples of temperature alterations?
Pyrexia, heat exhaustion, heatstroke (>104F), hyperthermia, hypothermia
Cellular metabolism rises and oxygen consumption increases. Heat and respiratory rates increase. Fluid loss from increased respiration and diaphoresis.
Pyrexia/fever.
Body metabolism increases 10% for every degree C. The use of energy produces additional heat. If a pt has a cardiac or respiratory problem, the stress of a fever is great.
How does prolonged pyrexia weaken a patient?
By exhausting energy stores. Increased metabolism requires additional oxygen (cellular hypoxia). Interventions during a fever include oxygen therapy.
Myocardial hypoxia produces what?
Cerebral hypoxia produces what?
Angina
Confusion
What are the differences from oral temps with rectal and axillary ones?
Rectal is usually 0.5 C (0.9F) higher than oral.
Axillary is usually 0.5 C (0.9F) lower than oral.
What are examples of interventions concerning temp?
Antipyretics, mimimize heat production, maximize heat loss, satisfy metabolic needs, promote comfort, health teaching, control environment.
Application of heat and cold therapies?
Order is required.
Assess for skin integrity, patient’s response to stimuli, equipment being used, identify any contraindications.
Effects of heat therapy?
Vasodilation. Decreased blood viscosity and muscle tension. Increased tissue metabolism, and capillary permeability. DO use for edema
Effects of cold therapy?
Vasoconstriction. Local anesthetic. Decreased cell metabolism and muscle tension. Increased blood viscosity. Don’t use for edema.
Advantages of moist application?
Decreased drying of skin. Compress conforms to the area. Penetrates deep tissue. No insensible fluid loss.
Disadvantages of moist application?
Prolonged use causes maceration. Cools rapidly. Increased risk for burn injury.
Advantages of dry application?
Less risk for burns. No skin maceration. Retains temp longer.
Disadvantages of dry application?
Increased body fluid loss. Decreased deep tissue penetration. Drying of skin.
Contraindications of cold?
Site of injury is edematous. Presence of neuropathy. Pt is shivering. Impaired circulation.
Contraindications to heat?
Areas of active bleeding. Acute localized inflammation. If pt has cardiovascular problems.
What is the average temp in the elderly population?
95-97 F
35-36.1 C
Results from decreased everything. Immunity, poor vasomotor control, reduced amounts of subcutaneous tissue, reduced sweat gland activity, reduced metabolism
Temp according to time of day?
Lowest temp is at 6am and the highest is at 4pm
How do thyroid hormones affect BMR and body heat?
When large amounts of thyroid hormones are secreted, the BMR can raise 100% above normal. The absence of the hormones reduces the BMR by half, causing a decrease in heat production.
Transfer of heat away by air movement.
Convection. The rate of heat loss increases when moistened skin comes into contact with slightly moving air.
