Chapter 4: Vital Signs - Temperature & Heart Rate Calculations

Vocabulary flashcards covering vital signs, body temperature regulation, fever stages and patterns, thermometer types and maintenance, and target heart rate (THR) calculations from Chapter 4 guided notes.

Vital Signs

Objective guideposts that provide data to determine a person's state of health, consisting of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

Hypothalamus

The structure that maintains body temperature and functions as the body's thermostat.

Normal Body Temperature Range

An average range of $97^\circ\text{F}$ to $99^\circ\text{F}$, with an average temperature of $98.6^\circ\text{F}$.

Heat Production

The generation of heat by the body through cell metabolism, strong emotional states, and voluntary/involuntary muscle contractions.

Heat Loss

The physiological loss of heat from the body via urine, feces, water vapor, and perspiration.

Fever (Pyrexia)

A body temperature greater than $105.8^\circ\text{F}$; a fever above $100.4^\circ\text{F}$ is considered serious, and above $109.4^\circ\text{F}$ is generally fatal.

Hypothermia

A body temperature less than $97^\circ\text{F}$; a temperature below $93.2^\circ\text{F}$ usually means a person cannot survive.

Onset

The initial stage of a fever where the fever begins and the temperature starts rising.

Course

The stage of a fever during which the temperature stays high.

Subsiding

The stage of a fever where the temperature goes down.

Continuous Fever

A fever pattern where the temperature stays elevated with little change.

Intermittent Fever

A fever pattern in which the temperature goes up and returns to normal.

Remittent Fever

A fever pattern in which the temperature fluctuates up and down but consistently stays above normal.

Rectal Temperature Site

The assessment site identified as the most accurate location for taking body temperature.

Oral Temperature Site

The assessment site identified as the most common location for taking body temperature.

Electronic Thermometer

A thermometer device that uses an electronic sensor to measure body temperature.

Tympanic Thermometer

A thermometer type that measures body temperature in the ear.

Temporal Thermometer

A thermometer type that measures body temperature on the forehead.

Chemical Thermometer

A thermometer type that uses chemicals that change color to indicate temperature.

Temperature-Sensitive Strip

A strip placed directly on the forehead that changes color to indicate body temperature.

Probe Lens Maintenance

The cleaning procedure for thermometer probe lenses using alcohol wipes, along with storage in a clean and dry place.

Interfering Factors (Temperature)

Variables that must be eliminated or minimized when taking temperature, including exercise, hot/cold drinks, and smoking.

Target Heart Rate (THR) Lower End Formula

The calculation to find the bottom of the safe aerobic exercise zone, determined by multiplying heart rate (HR) by $0.6$.

Target Heart Rate (THR) Upper End Formula

The calculation to find the top of the safe aerobic exercise zone by multiplying maximum heart rate (MHR) by $0.8$ (e.g., $180 \times 0.80 = 144$).