Vital Signs and Measurements

Flashcards capturing key concepts related to vital signs and measurements including body temperature regulation, types of fever, and safety concerns regarding mercury.

Radiation

The loss of body heat from the surface of the skin to a cooler environment.

Evaporation

A heat-loss mechanism that uses heat absorption through vaporization of perspiration.

Elimination

Heat lost through the normal functioning of the intestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts.

Hypothalamus

The brain structure that maintains the balance between heat production and heat loss.

Afebrile

Absence of fever.

Febrile

Presence of fever.

Fever

Body temperature increased beyond normal range; also known as pyrexia.

Lysis

Gradual return of body temperature to normal after a period of fever.

Crisis

Sudden decrease of body temperature to baseline levels, often accompanied by diaphoresis.

Intermittent Fever

A fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline, then increases again.

Remittent Fever

A fluctuating fever that does not return to baseline; remains increased but fluctuates.

Continuous Fever

A fever that remains above baseline without fluctuations.

Mercury Toxicity

Health concerns regarding mercury exposure from broken thermometers or mercury-containing equipment.

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating, particularly associated with crisis in fever.

Environmental Damage

Contamination posed by mercury entering lakes and rivers, affecting the food chain.

Cleaning up Mercury Spill

Recommendations from Becton-Dickinson for safely managing mercury from broken thermometers.