thermoregulation Flashcards
definition of thermoregulation
the process of maintaining the core body temperature at a nearly constant rate
normothermia
normal body temperature
ranges between 36.5 - 37.2 degrees celcius (97.7-98.9)
hypothermia
body temperature below 36.2 C (97.1)
hyperthermia
body temperature above 37.6 C (99.7)
hyperpyrexia
extremely high body temperature above 41.5 C (106.7)
Fever
elevation in body temperature due to a change in the hypothetical set point
temperature control
- Mediated by the hypothalamus through neural and hormonal control
- Negative feedback system that reverses or opposes a change in a controlled condition
what word also means fever
pyrexia
hypothalamus
controls body temperature
where is the greatest amount of heat produced
muscle and liver
heat loss:
-radiation
-conduction
-convection
-evaporation
-diaphoresis
radiation
transfer of heat from one surge to another through indirect contact
conduction
trader of heat from one object to another through direct contact
convection
transfer of heat from air movement
evaporation
transfer of heat when liquid is evaporated to gas
diaphoresis
sweating
Populations at risk for thermoregulation problems
- Infants especially premature (have underdeveloped thermoregulation; can produce what they need but cannot conserve the heat) Cannot speak that they are hot/cold
- Older adults 75 and up(reduced perception of heat and cold; diminished regulation
- Low socioeconomic status (clothing and shelter)
- Homeless (hyper and hypo; clothing and shelter)
Individual risk factors
- Impaired cognition (react appropriately to being hot/cold)
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol (everything is altered; sensory, judgment and alcohol being a vasodilator)
- Heart failure & diabetes: (hypo because not moving around and not creating heat)
- malnourishment
- Traumatic brain injury
- environmental exposure
Afebrile
WBC sky rocket when fever breaks
hyperthermia is…
overload of mechanisms (not necessarily from infection)
- warm flushed skin; diaphoretic; dry skin and mucus membranes; seizures; decreased urinary output; confused; increased heart rate
hypothermia
intention in surgery; unintentional cold temperatures outside
- (low and slow) slow capillary refill; low heart rate; low respirations; shivers; vasoconstriction; loss of memory; low blood pressure
If a person is in hypothermia for too long it can lead to
reduced perfusion; coagulation; and ekg changes
fever is a
normal reaction of the body and can be brought down with tylenol
hyperthermia is
not a normal reaction by the body and cannot be brought down with tylenol