thermoregulation

Question 1

age-related changes

Answer 1

• reduced subq tissue
• reduced shivering
• reduced ability to acclimatize to heat
• reduced sweating
• reduced peripheral circulation
  -inefficient vasoconstriction

Question 2

risk factors

Answer 2

> 75 yrs
- adverse environment conditions
- ETOH and meds (which suppress shivering)
- chronic diseases (endocrine, CV, neurologic)

Question 3

negative functional consequences

Answer 3

• reduced ability to respond to adverse temp
• increased susceptibility to hypo/hyperthermia
• reduced febrile responses to illness

Question 4

nursing assessment
> > hypothermia

Answer 4

compare temp against baseline
moderate hypothermia
- slurred speech
- mental changes
- impaired gait
- puffiness of the face
- slowed/irregular P
- low BP
- slowed tendon reflexes
- slow, shallow resps

severe hypothermia:
- muscular rigidity
- reduced urine output
- cold skin
> > severely hypothermic OA may not shiver, especially if temp <32.2

Question 5

nursing assessment
– hyperthermia

Answer 5

mild:
- weakness
- lethargy
- nausea
- headache
- loss of appetite

moderate to severe:
- dyspnea, dizziness, tachycardia
- vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps
- chest pain, mental impairment and a wide pulse pressure

Question 6

nursing intervention