Vital Signs Flashcards
Thermoregulation
physiological and behavioral mechanismsregulate the balance between heat lost and heat produced.
Vasodilation
widening of blood vessels to encourage heat loss
Vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the skin and extremities, conserving heat.
Basal Metabolic Rate
heat produced by the body at absolute rest
Radiation
transfer of heat from teh surface of one object to the surface of another without direct contact between the two.
Conduction
Transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact
convection
transfer of heat away by air movement. Increases when moist skin comes into contact with slightly moving air
Evaporation
transfer of heat energy when liquid is changed to gas
Pyrogens
substances that cause a rise in body temperature, as in the case of bacterial toxins
FUO
fever of unknown origin- undetermiend case
Malignant Hyperthermia
hereditary condition of uncontrolled heat production that occurs when susceptible people have certain anesthetic drugs. Very high fever with surgery. Temperature keeps climbing- quickly can affect brain
ventilation
the movement of gases in and out of the lungs
diffusion
the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the red blood cells
external respiration
from alveoli to blood
internal respiration
capillary bed to toe tissue
perfusion
the distribution of RBC to and from the pulmonary capillaries