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Vital Signs: Temperature Hypothalamus
Vital Signs: Temperature Hypothalamus
Vital Signs: Temperature Hypothalamus
Temperature = Warmth of the body, a balance between heat produced & lost.
The Hypothalamus = the thermostat that regulates body temperature.
Factors that influence body temp:
Food intake =
Age = newborns have temp fluctuations due to high metabolic rates
Older adults have problems with heat retention & heat loss
Gender =
Exercise = ↑ the need for energy, thus ↑ body temp
Time of Day =
Emotions =
Illness = may lead to increase or decrease temp
Medications =
Taking BP:
• The cuff is applied to the pt’s arm and inflated briefly to occlude
the artery.
• As the valve on the BP Cuff is released, listen for a series of sounds
thru your stethoscope known as
1. Systolic Pressure = the 1st sound of clear repetitive tapping as the
cuff is deflated.
2. Phase II ---
3. Phase III---Loud, crisp knocking sound
4. Phase IV---Muffled sound (this is diastolic for children.)
5. Diastolic Pressure =
Abnormal BP Measurements:
1. Hypertension = elevated BP
2. Hypotension = Low BP
3. Postural Hypotension or Orthostatic Hypotension = BP ↓
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Common Causes of BP Errors (see Table 11-9)