Thermoregulation

mod. 5

What is thermoregulation?

Regulation of body temperature by hypothalamus in response to thermal receptors near the skin.

What is the normal body temperature range?

35.8 °C – 38 °C./ 96.4- 100.4

Define fever, pyrexia, hyperthermia, hypothermia, and hyperpyrexia.

Fever/Pyrexia = >38 °C; Hyperthermia = high temperature; Hypothermia = <35 °C; Hyperpyrexia = >41 °C.

What processes drive thermoregulation?

Heat production (metabolism, exercise, shivering) and heat loss (radiation, convection, evaporation, conduction).

Age-related thermoregulation changes in older adults?

Decreased temp regulation, vasoconstriction, sweating, heat production, activity, shivering, and environmental perception.

Stages of hypothermia?

Mild = 34–35 °C; Moderate = 30–34 °C; Severe = <30 °C.

Signs of fever (impaired thermoregulation)?

Temp >38 °C, chills/gooseflesh, shivering, flushed warm skin, ↑HR & RR, feeling cold, no sweating.

Signs of hypothermia?

Temp <35 °C, cold pale skin, initial shivering then no shivering, delayed cap refill, weak/irregular pulse, confusion, poor coordination, slurred speech.

Populations at risk for impaired thermoregulation?

Infants/young children, older adults, males, African-Americans, residents of southern states (heat), residents of northern states (cold).

Individuals at risk for impaired thermoregulation?

Low socioeconomic status, unhoused, older adults with dementia.

Interrelated concepts with thermoregulation?

Intracranial regulation, nutrition, fluid & electrolytes, tissue integrity, perfusion, infection.

Key note about thermoregulation in nursing school?

Appears in every semester with increasingly complex exemplars—important concept to know.