Week 12 - Interventions to Prevent Altered Thermoregulation Flashcards
What are some interventions to prevent altered thermoregulation? (8)
- Environmental control
- Appropriate clothing
- Physical activity
- Fluid and nutrition
- Resources to pay for food, clothing, environmental controls
- Immunizations
- teach about meds that can impact thermoregulation response
- Educate caregivers
What fluid and nutrition measures should we take to ensure adequate thermoregulation? (4)
- 8-10 glasses of non-caffeinated liquid
- Teach about reduced thirst sensation
- Small, frequent meals
- Zinc, selenium, Vitamin A,C,E
What are interventions to prevent hypothermia?* (9)
- Maintain environmental temp at 23.9C
- Ideal humidity 40-50%
- Adequate clothing
- Body temperature above 36C
- Limit time outside
- Provide head covering, even in bed
- Dry the frail older adult quick and thorough
- Promote activity
- Provide high protein meals and bedtime snacks to add heat and sustain heat production throughout day and night
True or false: We can help the older adult prevent hypothermia by accessing programs that can help with older adults’ cost to improve home
true
What are interventions to prevent hyperthermia?* (7)
- Maintain room temperature below 29.4C
- Fans
- Drink 8-10 glasses of non-caffeinated beverages
- Wear loose-fitting clothing
- Wear hat or use umbrella
- Avoid outdoor activities
- Place an ice pack or cold wet towels on your body
How can we assess for hypothermia? (4)
- Current temp vs baseline
- Assessment for temp below 35 compared to baseline
- Cool skin in unexposed areas (butt and abdomen)
- May not complain of being cold or shivering
What are the symptoms we should assess for in hypothermia as it progresses? (9)
- lethargy
- slurred speech
- mental changes
- Impaired gait
- puffiness to face
- slow or irregular pulse
- low BP
- Slow tendon reflexes
- slow, shallow respirations
Pathological effects of hypothermia chart*
What are interventions to treat hypothermia? (6)
- Warm blankets
- Warm fluids
- Dry clothing
- Warm water bath
- Core warming
- Heated IV fluid
What are the symptoms we should assess for in hyperthermia? (4)
- mild headache
- weak and lethargic
- Nausea + loss of appetite
- Sweating response is absent
What are the symptoms we should assess if hyperthermia progresses? (9)
- dizziness
- dyspnea
- tachycardia
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- muscle cramps
- chest pain
- mental impairment
- wide pulse pressure
Pathological effect of hyperthermia chart*
What is a dangerous heat emergency called?
heat stroke
What are interventions to treat hyperthermia? (4)
- remove clothing
- hydration
- cool packs
- cool blanket (but do not induce shivering)
In summary, what are the ways to prevent hyperthermia and hypothermia? (3)
- Baseline temperature is maintained
- Body fluid intake is improved (urine colour or drinking diary)
- Improved understanding of risk
