Vital Signs and body temperature

Vital signs

measurements of the body’s basic functions.

Vital signs

They provide critical and necessary information about the state of health of an individual/

1. body temperature

2. pulse rate

3. respiratory rate

4. blood pressure

four main vital signs

Body temperature

measure of the ability of the body to generate or get rid of heat

Thermoregulation

the body has the ability to maintain its temperature at safe range so cells may function normally even large variations of temperature occurs externally or from the environment itself. This process is called ___

Thermoregulation

the balance between the body’s mechanisms of heat production and heat loss to maintain a constant body temperature

sensors and controllers

The body temperature is regulated by a coordinated system of __ in the body

-

homeostasis = 35.6C-37.8C (avg of 37C or 98.6F)

= normal body temperature

1. Vasoconstriction

2. Thermogenesis

3. Hormonal thermogenesis

If the body is too cold, it needs to warm up through:

Vasoconstriction

The blood vessels under the skin narrows which decreases the blood flow to the skin, thereby retaining heat inside the body.

Thermogenesis

The organs of the body produces heat in variety of ways, for example the muscle shivers to produce heat

Hormonal thermogenesis

The thyroid gland releases hormones to increase metabolism which increases the energy the body makes and the amount of heat it produces.

1. Vasodilation

2. Sweating

if the body is too warm, it needs to cool down through:

Vasodilation

The blood vessels under the skin widens which increases the blood flow to the skin, releasing the inner heat from the body through radiation.

Sweating

The sweat glands are activated, releasing sweat which cools the skin as it evaporates, thereby lowering the core temperature

core temperature

the temperature of the deep tissues of the body

surface temperature

the temperature of the skin layers and subcutaneous tissues

1. Age

2. Exercise

3. Hormones

4. Circadian rhythm/Diurnal variations

5. Stress

6. Environment

7. Presence of disease of illness

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

carbohydrate and fat breakdown

Muscle activity increases metabolism by increasing ___. Any form of exercise can therefore increase heat production and thus, can increase body temperature.

high; low

The body temperature is usually __ during night-time and usually __ during sleep hours in the midnight to morning. (Circadian rhythm/Diurnal variations)

Hyperpyrexia; hypothermia

__ or fever can occur during infections, too much heat can depress the hypothalamus causing heat stroke, or prolonged exposure to cold temperature can cause __

1. Digital thermometers

2. Glass mercury thermometers

3. Electronic ear thermometers

4. Forehead thermometers

5. Plastic strip thermometers

6. Pacifier thermometers

different types of thermometers

Digital thermometers

These are considered to be the fastest and most accurate type of thermometers. It can be used through oral, axillary or rectal route.

Glass mercury thermometers.

These are old types of thermometers usually placed under the tongue or at the armpit and wait for the mercury to rise until it stops.

Electronic ear thermometers

These use infrared to measure body temperature.

Forehead thermometers

These thermometers also uses infrared to measure body temperature and are also lesser accurate than digital thermometers.

Plastic strip thermometers

These are plastic strips placed on forehead which can detect presence of fever, however does not accurately quantify the exact body temperature.

Pacifier thermometers

These thermometers resembles an actual pacifier and are predominantly used in babies older than three months.

0.3-0.6°C (0.5-1°F)

A rectal and ear temperature is __ higher

0.3-0.6°C (0.5-1°F)

axillary and forehead temperature is ___ lower than the average normal body temperature

rectal temperatures

In general, __ are considered to more accurate when checking for a fever in a young child

fever (pyresis)

is the temporary increase in the body’s temperature in response to a disease or illness.

fever of undetermined origin (FUO).

Unexplained fevers persisting for continuous days or weeks are called as __

hyperpyrexia

refers to the extremely high rise of body temperature equal to or greater than 41.5°C (106.7°F).

41.5°C (106.7°F)

hyperpyrexia refers to the extremely high rise of body temperature equal to or greater than ___. It may indicate an underlying serious medical disorder in the body.

Hyperthermia

refers to the uncontrolled rise in body temperature due to excessive body heat production and the body cannot loose enough heat to maintain the normal core temperature.

hypothermia

occurs when the body loses heat faster that it can produce, causing dangerously low body temperature.