Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology: Vital Signs

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
Vital Signs
BODY TEMPERATURE
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF BODY TEMPERATURE: CORE TEMPERATURE
AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE. BODY TEMPERATURE REFLECTS THE
BALANCE BETWEEN THE HEAT PRODUCED AND THE HEAT LOST
FROM THE BODY, AND IS MEASURED IN HEAT UNITS CALLED DEGREES.
CORE TEMPERATURE IS THE TEMPERATURE OF THE DEEP TISSUES OF THE BODY,

SUCH AS THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY AND PELVIC CAVITY. IT REMAINS
RELATIVELY CONSTANT.
BODY TEMPERATURE
THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE IS THE TEMPERATURE OF THE SKIN, THE
SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE, AND FAT. IT, BY CONTRAST, RISES AND FALLS IN
RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE BODY CONTINUALLY
PRODUCES HEAT AS A BY PRODUCT OF METABOLISM. WHEN THE AMOUNT OF

HEAT PRODUCED BY THE BODY EQUALS THE AMOUNT OF HEAT LOST, THE
PERSON IS IN HEAT BALANCE.
BODY TEMPERATURE
. A NUMBER OF FACTORS AFFECT THE BODY'S HEAT PRODUCTION. THE MOST

IMPORTANT ARE THESE FIVE:
UTILIZATION IN THE BODY REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES
SUCH AS BREATHING.
. BASAL METABOLIC RATE.
THE BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR) IS THE RATE OF ENERGY

MUSCLE ACTIVITY.
MUSCLE ACTIVITY, INCLUDING SHIVERING, INCREASES THE METABOLIC RATE.
INCREASED THYROXINE OUTPUT INCREASES THE RATE CELLULAR METABOLISM
THROUGH THE THE BODY.
Contact No. (044) 463-0825

Transforming Communities through Science and Technology Email: neustmain@yahoo.com
www.neust.edu.ph
FEVER.
FEVER INCREASES THE CELLULAR METABOLIC RATE AND THUS INCREASES THE
BODY'S TEMPERATURE FURTHER.
. EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, AND SYMPATHETIC STIMULATION

STRESS RESPONSE. THESE HORMONES IMMEDIATELY INCREASE THE RATE OF
CELLULAR METABOLISM IN MANY BODY TISSUES.
BODY HEAT LOST
RADIATION IS THE TRANSFER OF HEAT FROM THE SURFACE OF ONE OBJECT TO
THE SURFACE OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO OBJECTS,
MOST RAY IN THE FORM OF INFRARED RAYS.
CONDUCTION IS THE TRANSFER OF HEAT FROM ONE MOLECULE TO A
MOLECULE OF LOWER TEMPERATURE. CONDUCTIVECONDUCTIVE TRANSFER
CANNOT TAKE PLACE WITHOUT CONTACT BETWEEN THE MOLECULES AND
NORMALLY ACCOUNTS FOR MINIMAL HEAT LOSS EXCEPT, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN
A BODY IS IMMERSED IN COLD WATER.
. EVAPORATION IS CONTINUOUS VAPORIZATION OF MOISTURE FROM THE
RESPIRATORY TRACT AND FROM THE MUCOSA OF THE MOUTH AND FROM THE
SKIN.
CONVECTION IS THE DISPERSION OF HEAT BY AIR CURRENTS. THE BODY
USUALLY HAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF WARM AIR ADIACENT TO IT. THIS WARM
AIR RISES AND IS REPLACED BY COOLER AIR. SO PEOPLE ALWAYS LOSE A
SMALL AMOUNT OF HEAT THROUGH CONVECTION.
REGULATION OF BODY TEMPERATURE
THE SYSTEM THAT REGULATES BODY TEMPERATURE HAS THREE MAIN PARTS:
SENSORS IN THE PERIPHERY AND IN THE CORE, AN INTEGRATOR IN THE
HYPOTHALAMUS, AND AN EFFECTOR SYSTEM THAT ADJUSTS THE PRODUCTION
AND LOSS OF HEAT.
.WHEN THE SKIN BECOMES CHILLED OVER THE ENTIRE BODY, THREE
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES TO INCREASE THE BODY
TEMPERATURE TAKE PLACE:
. 1. SHIVERING INCREASES HEAT PRODUCTION.
2. SWEATING IS INHIBITED TO DECREASE HEAT LOSS.
.3. VASocONSTRICTION DECREASES HEATLOSS.
THE SKIN HAS MORE RECEPTORS FOR COLD THAN WARMTH.

THEREFORETHEREFORE, SKIN SENSORS DETECT COLD MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN
WARMTH.
Contact No. (044) 463-0825

www.neust.edu.ph
INTENDED TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE, THAT IS, TO
REGULATION OF BODY TEMPERATURE

THE HYPOTHALAMIC INTEGRATOR IS THE CENTER THAT CONTROLS THE CORE
TEMPERATURE. WHEN THE INTEGRATOR DETECTS HEAT, IT SENDS OUT SIGNALS
DECREASE HEAT PRODUCTION AND INCREASE HEAT
. THE SIGNALS FROM THE COLD-SENSITIVE RECEPTORS OF THE
HYPOTHALAMUS INITIATE EFFECTORS, SUCH AS VASOCONSTRICTION,

SHIVERING, AND THE RELEASE OF EPINEPHRINE, WHICH INCREASES CELLULAR
METABOLISM AND HENCE HEAT PRODUCTION. WHENWHEN THE WARMTH-
SENSITIVE RECEPTORS IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS ARE STIMULATED, THE
EFFECTOR SYSTEM SENDS OUT SIGNALS THAT INITIATE SWEATING AND
PERIPHERAL VASODILATATION.
FACTORS AFFECTING BODY TEMPERATURE
NURSES SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT A CLIENT'S
BODY TEMPERATURE SO THAT THEY CAN RECOGNIZE NORMAL TEMPERATURE
VARIATIONS AND UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BODY TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENTS THAT DEVIATE FROM NORMAL.
1. AGE.
THE INFANT IS GREATLY INFLUENCED BY THE TEMPERATURE OFTHE
ENVIRNMEN AND MUST BE PROTECTED FROM EXTREME CHANGES. CHILDREN'S
TEMPERATURES VARY MORE THAN THOSE OF ADULTS UNTIL PUBERTY.
2. DIURNAL VARIATIONS(CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS).
BODY TEMPERATURES NORMALLY CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, VARYING
AS MUCH AS 1.0°C (1.8F) BETWEEN THE EARLY MORNING AND THE LATE
AFTERNOON. HIGHESTHIGHEST BODY TEMPERATURE: 4:00PM 6:00PM LOWEST
POINT: 4:00 AM AND 6:00 AM.
3. EXERCISE.
HARD WORK OR STRENUOUS EXERCISE CAN INCREASE BODY TEMPERATURE TO
AS HIGH AS 38.3°C TO 40°C (101 F TO 104F) MEASURED RECTALLY.
4. HORMONES.
WOMEN USUALLY EXPERIENCE MORE HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS THAN MEN. IN
WOMEN, PROGESTERONE SECRETION AT THE TIME OF OVULATION RAISES BODY
TEMPERATURE BY ABOUT 0.3°C TO0.6C (0.5F TO 1.0F) ABOVE BASAL
TEMPERATURE.
. 5. STRESS.
STIMULATION OF THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM CAN INCREASE THE
PRODUCTION OF EPINEPHRINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE, THEREBY INCREASING
METABOLIC ACTIVITY AND HEAT PRODUCTION. NURSES MAY ANTICIPATE THAT
Contact No. (044) 463-0825

www.neust.edu.ph
A HIGHLY STRESSED OR ANXIOUS CLIENT COULD HAVE AN ELEVATED BODY

TEMPERATURE.
6. ENVIRONMENT.
EXTREMES IN ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURES CAN AFFECT A PERSON'S
TEMPERATURE REGULATORY SYSTEMS.
ALTERATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE
PYREXIA
A BODY TEMPERATURE ABOVE THE USUAL RANGE IS CALLED PYREXIA,
HYPERTHERMIA, OR (IN LAY TERMS) FEVER. A VERY HIGH FEVER, SUCH AS 41 C
(105.8 F), IS CALLED HYPERPYREXIA.THE CLIENT WHO HAS A FEVER IS REFERRED
TO AS FEBRILE: THE ONE WHO DOES NOT IS AFEBRILE.
TYPES OF FEVERS
FOUR COMMON TYPES OF FEVERS ARE INTERMITTENT REMITTENT, RELAPSING,
AND CONSTANT.DURING AN INTERMITTENT FEVER, THE BODY TEMPERATURE
ALTERNATES AT REGULAR INTERVALS BETWEEN PERIODS OF FEVER AND
PERIODS OF NORMAL OR SUBNORMAL TEMPERATURES.
. DURING A REMITTENT FEVER SUCH AS WITH A COLD OR INFLUENZA, A WIDE
RANGE F TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS (MORE THAN 2'C [3.6'Fl) OCCURS OVER
A 24-HOUR PERIOD, ALL OF WHICH ARE ABOVE NORMAL.
. IN A RELAPSING FEVER. SHORT FEBRILE PERIODS OF A FEW DAYS ARE
INTERSPERSED WITH PERIODS OF 1 OR 2 DAYS OF NORMAL TEMPERATURE.
. DURING A CONSTANT FEVER, THE BODY TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATES
MINIMALLY BUT ALWAYS REMAINS ABOVE NORMAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITH TY
PHOID FEVER.
BACTERIAL BLOOD INFECTIONS OFTEN CAUSE FEVER SPIKES.
. ATEMPERATURE THAT RISES TO FEVER LEVEL RAPIDLY FOLLOWING A
NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL WITHIN A FEW
HOURS IS CALLED A FEVER SPIKE.
ALTERATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE
. HEAT EXHAUSTION IS A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DEHYDRATION.

SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION INCLUDE PALENESS, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA,
VOMITING, FAINTING, AND A MODERATELY INCREASED TEMPERATURE (38.3°C
TO 38.9°C [101F TO 102'F).
HEAT STROKE IS GENERALLY HAVE BEEN EXERCISING IN HOT WEATHER, HAVE
WARM, FLUSHED SKIN, AND OFTEN DO NOT SWEAT. THEY USUALLY HAVE A
TEMPERATURE OF 41.1°C (1 06°F) OR HIGHER, AND MAY BE DELIRIOUS,
UNCONSCIOUS, OR HAVING SEIZURES.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR CLIENTS WITH FEVER
Contact No. (044) 463-0825

www.neust.edu.ph
PROVIDE ADEQUATE NUTRITION AND FLUIDS (E.G., 2,500-3,000 ML PERDAY) TO

MEET THE INCREASED METABOLIC DEMANDS AND PREVENT DEHYDRATION.
MONITOR VITAL SIGNS.
ASSESS SKIN COLOR AND TEMPERATURE.
MONITORMONITOR WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT, HEMATOCRITVALUE. AND
OTHER PERTINENT LABORATORY REMOVEEXCESS BLANKETS WHENTHE CLIENT
FEELS WARM, BUT PROVIDE EXTRA WARMTH WHEN THE CLIENT FEELS
CHILLED.
ADMINISTER ANTIPYRETICS (DRUGS THAT REDUCE THE LEVEL OF FEVER) AS
ORDERED.
PROVIDE ORAL HYGIENE TO KEEP THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE MOIST.
PROVIDE A TEPID SPONGE BATH TO INCREASE HEAT LOSS THROUGH
CONDUCTION.
PROVIDEPROVIDE DRY CLOTHING AND BED LIN NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR
CLIENTS WITH FEVER REDUCE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO LIMIT HEAT PRODUCTION
Contact No. (044) 463-0825

www.neust.edu.ph

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CORE TEMPERATURE IS THE TEMPERATURE OF THE DEEP TISSUES OF THE BODY,

PRODUCES HEAT AS A BY PRODUCT OF METABOLISM. WHEN THE AMOUNT OF

. A NUMBER OF FACTORS AFFECT THE BODY'S HEAT PRODUCTION. THE MOST

THE BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR) IS THE RATE OF ENERGY

Contact No. (044) 463-0825

. EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, AND SYMPATHETIC STIMULATION

THE SKIN HAS MORE RECEPTORS FOR COLD THAN WARMTH.

Contact No. (044) 463-0825

INTENDED TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE, THAT IS, TO

REGULATION OF BODY TEMPERATURE

HYPOTHALAMUS INITIATE EFFECTORS, SUCH AS VASOCONSTRICTION,

Contact No. (044) 463-0825

A HIGHLY STRESSED OR ANXIOUS CLIENT COULD HAVE AN ELEVATED BODY

. HEAT EXHAUSTION IS A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DEHYDRATION.

Contact No. (044) 463-0825

PROVIDE ADEQUATE NUTRITION AND FLUIDS (E.G., 2,500-3,000 ML PERDAY) TO

Contact No. (044) 463-0825

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