Download Thermoregulation

THERMOREGULATION
RNSG 1430
Health Care Concepts 1
Concept – THERMOREGULATION
Concept Definition
The body process that balances heat production and heat loss to maintain core body temperature within
an optimal physiological range.
Exemplars
Environmental Exposure Hypothermia - Frost Bite, Infant
Hyperthermia - Heat Stroke, Elderly
Fever- Pedi
Malignant Hyperthermia
Objectives
1. Explain the concept of Thermoregulation (including definition, antecedents, and attributes).
2. Analyze conditions which place a patient at risk for alterations in thermoregulation.
3. Identify when an imbalance in thermoregulation (negative consequence) is developing or has
developed.
4. Discuss exemplars of common thermoregulation disorders.
5. Apply the nursing process (including collaborative interventions) for individuals across the life span
experiencing alterations in thermoregulation.
Assignments
Prior to class:
1. Review definitions of interrelated concepts on concept analysis diagram.
2. Review concept analysis diagram.
3. Review the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation.
4. Required assigned reading:
*Page numbers, assignments, and other lecture information will be posted on
Blackboard.
 Giddens, J.F. (2017). Concepts for nursing practice (2nd ed.). St. Louis. MO: Mosby Elsevier.
 Chapter 10: Concept Thermoregulation
 Lewis, S.L., Heitkemper, M.M., Dirksen, S.R., O’Brien, P.G., & Bucher, L. (2014). Medical surgical
nursing (9th ed). St. Louis MO: Mosby Elsevier.
 Chapter 69: Heat Stroke, Frost Bite
 Chapter 19: Malignant Hyperthermia
 McKinney, E, James, S., Murray, S., Nelson, K., & Ashwill, J. (2013). Maternal-child nursing (4th ed). St.
Louis: Elsevier Saunders.
 Chapter 21: Hypothermia, Infant
 Chapter 22: Hypothermia, Infant
 Chapter 37 : Fever, Pedi
 Yoost, B. L., & Crawford, L. R. (2015). Fundamentals of nursing: active learning for
collaborative practice. St Louis MO: Mosby Elsevier.
 Chapter 19: Vital Signs
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THERMOREGULATION
Concept content outline:
Concept:
Thermoregulation
Sub Concepts: Hypothermia/Hyperthermia very young and older adults
Environmental Exposures
Fever
Antecedents: Hypothalamus functions normally to control body temperature
Chemical thermogenesis occurs
Normal sweat gland function
Normal skeletal muscle function
Sufficient blood flow
Nonshivering thermogenesis accomplished by metabolism of brown fat in the newborn
increasing metabolic activity in the brain, heart, and liver.
Risk Factors: Age related changes
Acute and chronic conditions
Environmental, Recreational, Occupational exposures
Medications
Stress
Underlying health conditions
Trauma, Surgical procedures
Assessment: Comprehensive history
Physical and psychological clinical manifestations
Diagnostic Exams: Laboratory, Radiology, and Procedural exams
Positive Outcomes:
Adequate nutritional and fluid status
Adaption to the environment
Absence of infectious organisms
Negative Outcomes:
Cardiovascular collapse
Nervous system damage
Dehydration and hyponatremia
Peripheral tissue ischemia
Loss of digits
Clinical Management:
Nursing interventions
Collaborative interventions
Pharmacological therapy
Procedural therapies
Diagnostic studies
Exemplars:
Hypothermia – Frost Bite, Infant
Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke, Elderly
Fever
Malignant Hyperthermia
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