{"id":845,"date":"2017-12-13T14:28:53","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T19:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/why-is-temperature-measured\/"},"modified":"2024-06-06T10:41:55","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T14:41:55","slug":"why-is-temperature-measured","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/why-is-temperature-measured\/","title":{"raw":"Temperature","rendered":"Temperature"},"content":{"raw":"

What is Temperature?<\/h2>\r\nTemperature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>refers to the degree of heat or cold in an object or a human body. In humans, the brain\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>hypothalamus<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>acts as the body\u2019s thermostat and is responsible for regulating its temperature (OER #2). See\u00a0<\/span>Figure 17<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>of the hypothalamus.\r\n\r\nThe human body is constantly adapting to internal health states and environmental conditions, and the hypothalamus is programmed to tell the body to generate heat if the body temperature is low. For example, the hypothalamus can activate peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering (contraction of skeletal muscles) to prevent a decrease in body temperature. The hypothalamus can also reduce heat if the body temperature is too high. For example, it can activate peripheral vasodilation to increase heat loss and cause a person to perspire, which cools the body.\r\n
\"Position<\/div>\r\nFigure 17:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Hypothalamus (Illustration credit: Hilary Tang)\r\n\r\n \r\n

Why is Temperature Measured?<\/h2>\r\nHealthcare providers measure a client\u2019s temperature because it can give information about their state of health and influence clinical decisions. Accurate measurements and interpretation are vital so that hyperthermia<\/strong> and hypothermia<\/strong>\u00a0can be identified and appropriate interventions determined.\r\n\r\nHyperthermia<\/strong> refers to an elevated body temperature. It can be related to an internal or external source. External sources that increase body temperature could include exposure to excessive heat on a hot day or being in a sauna or hot tub. Internal sources that may increase body temperature include fever caused by an infection or tissue breakdown associated with physical trauma (e.g., surgery, myocardial infarction) or some neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral vascular accident, cerebral edema, brain tumour). Hyperthermia that is associated with an infectious agent, such as a bacteria or virus (e.g., the flu) is referred to as febrile<\/strong>. Unresolved hyperthermic body states can lead to cell damage.\r\n\r\nHypothermia<\/strong> refers to a lowered body temperature. It is usually related to an external source such as being exposed to the cold for an extended period of time. Hypothermia is sometimes purposefully induced during surgery, or for certain medical conditions, to reduce the body\u2019s need for oxygen. Unresolved hypothermic body states can slow cellular processes and lead to loss of consciousness.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Test Your Knowledge<\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"24\"]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n____________________________________________________\r\n\r\nPart of this content was adapted from OER #2 (as noted in brackets above):\r\n\r\n\u00a9 Apr 10, 2017\u00a0OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology.\u00a0Textbook content produced by\u00a0OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology\u00a0is licensed under a\u00a0Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0<\/a>\u00a0license.\u00a0Download for free at\u00a0http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/7c42370b-c3ad-48ac-9620-d15367b882c6@12<\/a>","rendered":"

What is Temperature?<\/h2>\n

Temperature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>refers to the degree of heat or cold in an object or a human body. In humans, the brain\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>hypothalamus<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>acts as the body\u2019s thermostat and is responsible for regulating its temperature (OER #2). See\u00a0<\/span>Figure 17<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>of the hypothalamus.<\/p>\n

The human body is constantly adapting to internal health states and environmental conditions, and the hypothalamus is programmed to tell the body to generate heat if the body temperature is low. For example, the hypothalamus can activate peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering (contraction of skeletal muscles) to prevent a decrease in body temperature. The hypothalamus can also reduce heat if the body temperature is too high. For example, it can activate peripheral vasodilation to increase heat loss and cause a person to perspire, which cools the body.<\/p>\n

\"Position<\/div>\n

Figure 17:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Hypothalamus (Illustration credit: Hilary Tang)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why is Temperature Measured?<\/h2>\n

Healthcare providers measure a client\u2019s temperature because it can give information about their state of health and influence clinical decisions. Accurate measurements and interpretation are vital so that hyperthermia<\/strong> and hypothermia<\/strong>\u00a0can be identified and appropriate interventions determined.<\/p>\n

Hyperthermia<\/strong> refers to an elevated body temperature. It can be related to an internal or external source. External sources that increase body temperature could include exposure to excessive heat on a hot day or being in a sauna or hot tub. Internal sources that may increase body temperature include fever caused by an infection or tissue breakdown associated with physical trauma (e.g., surgery, myocardial infarction) or some neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral vascular accident, cerebral edema, brain tumour). Hyperthermia that is associated with an infectious agent, such as a bacteria or virus (e.g., the flu) is referred to as febrile<\/strong>. Unresolved hyperthermic body states can lead to cell damage.<\/p>\n

Hypothermia<\/strong> refers to a lowered body temperature. It is usually related to an external source such as being exposed to the cold for an extended period of time. Hypothermia is sometimes purposefully induced during surgery, or for certain medical conditions, to reduce the body\u2019s need for oxygen. Unresolved hypothermic body states can slow cellular processes and lead to loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Test Your Knowledge<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

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