Body's Regulation of Temperature - Case Study Example

Overview of the Topic The research is concerning on the concept regarding our body's temperature, on how does our body regulates its internal temperature. The abnormalities within our system with application to nursing practices. Definition of Terms Feedback Inhibition - process by which the product of a system is limits its operation. Fever - An abnormal elevation in the temperature of the body that can be an indicator of the presence of a disease. Homeostasis - maintenance of uniform physiological stability within an organism and between its parts. Hyperthermia - An abnormal high temperature. In medicine it is a therapeutic treatment by means of artificially induced fever. Hypothermia - a core body temperature below the lowest limit of the normal. Hypothalamus - A part of the brain that monitor both the temperature of the skin of the surface of the body and the temperature of organs in the body's core. Physiologic Homeostasis - refers to the internal environment of the body which is relatively stable and constant. Psychological Homeostasis - refers to the emotional or the psychological balance or state of mental well-being. Temperature - The intensity of heat in a substance. Thermometer - An instrument that measures temperature. Importance of the research Studying about the body's regulation of temperature will inform us about the system we had in our own selves. This will clear us about the mechanisms on how we come out with fever. The irregularities we felt in our everyday living ex; Fever we haven't know how does it appear, how our body reacts with that changes in temperature. The relation to the human's health, most probably to nurses, they should be able to assist and give proper actions to the situations by which temperature is to be considered. It's very important for us to know the capabilities of our body to fight such dangerous environment. We should know the roots of all that happens in our body. Though fever is treated by the masses us a simple thing that used to come on us and just ignoring this indicator. There is so much more to dig. Homeostasis Homeostasis is the tendency of an organism to maintain a uniform and beneficial physiological stability and between its parts.1 Homeostasis is a remarkable and typical property of an open system. Walter Cannon in 1932, took told the wisdom of the body, the homeostasis, from the two Greek words meaning to remain the same. The cell, which reacts represents the homeostatic system, to every change in the environment, its goal is to maintain its internal balance, stability and to survive, Much importantly when one is faced to a known reaction, or an expected situation and often the result is opposed to the action done. Remember that if one cell that contributes to the complex system; is neither distracted nor destroyed, the stability will not be able anymore to change and evolve. Regulating the Body Temperature Mammals are endotherms. They do not rely on the sun for warmth because they can generate heat internally. Especially the smaller ones have a high run of the metabolism which helps them generate heat, enough for them to live and survive coldness. The subcutaneous fat that is located under the skin helps them conserve body heat from within, is an example of homeostasis. Body temperature also affects the process of metabolism. For instance, if the body is at work the temperature is high and will get muscles tired. This is the reasons why the internal parts are improperly functioning same if the body is cold or at rest. Therefore we should keep our body working not excessively but in balance work out which does not require our bone to tire up, we should do this for maintaining balance. The hypothalamus and Feedbacks Our brains have an accessory, which contain nerve cells that monitors both the temperatures of the skin and the internal organs called the hypothalamus. If the body temperature is below 37oC the tendency of the hypothalamus is to produce some chemicals that will inform the cells of the entire body to speed up their activities. This feedback inhibits the production of chemicals that speed up the cellular activities and the body temperature keeps from rising to a dangerous level. And if the body temperature rises too far and above 37oC this part of the brain will slows down the cells works and minimize the production of heat. This is the reason why we feel tired during hot days. The sweats we produce is evaporating which helps in cooling the body, the evaporation at the body surface helps the body temperature of the body's core to lower and when it sets to its point the body will stop producing sweat. Increasing and decreasing of the temperature of about 37oC manners. But are we sure that it is the exact balance of the body temperature Because according to Philip A. Mackowiak of University of Maryland School of Medicine, based on his study that the equal temperature is 36.8oC. But then nowadays we considered 37oC since Carl Wunderlich published in 1868 that due to the 1 million adults that he measured regarding their temperature within 15 to 2o minutes 37oC is accepted.2 Fever When the body temperature is higher than the normal of 37 oC when measured with the use of a thermometer in the mouth, or 37 oC measured in the rectum is what you called a fever. This occurs when the body is fighting against bad bacteria virus or infections due to the presence of parasites. It m,ay also occur due to injuries, overheating and dehydration. Other symptoms like rapid breathing and heart rate, glassy eyes and flushed skin are sometimes together with fever. Some of the symptoms for adults are flushed face, hot skin, headache, body aches, lightheadedness, shivering, chills, rigors, sweating, thirst, fast breathing, poor appetite, confusion or delirium. Medical persons must determine the cause of the fever. Admit them in the hospital for treatment.3 Hypothermia- Application to Nursing Practices Due to a long time exposure to extreme coldness, with the decrease in body temperature, below 94 oF, or 34.4 oC. This is much common to elderly. When the temperature go below 35 oC the patient is usually delirious, drowsy or comatose and frequently breathing will cease. "The treatment must consist of active rewarming with supportive care to maintain adequate cardiovascular and respiratory status."4 Before continuing the resuscitation, the patient must be rewarmed at least 35 oC. Patient should be monitored in an intensive care ubit, most probably if the patient is an elderly. To rewarm them, nurses can use the laboratory equipments like warming blankets, warm air flow blankets, warmed IV solution, warmed peritoneal lavage solutions, also another for bladder instillation, warm baths and more Some common Nursing Diagnoses Acute Pain Related to: tissue damage, hypothermia, surgery, altered homodynamic related to aging process Defined Characteristics: communication of pain, facial grimacing, restlessness, changes in pulse and blood pressure Diaphoresis, protective behavior of extremities, hypoactive reflexes, decreased motor activity, decreased muscle strength, anxiety. Risk for infection Related to: frozen tissue, open wounds, decreased tissue perfusion, edema, changes in thermoregulatory center and hermodynamic status related to the aging process, chronic c morbidities. Defining Characteristics: fever tachycardia, tachypnea, elevated whit blood cell count, shift to the left on differential, reddened wound, drainage, edema, pain sepsis Intervensions Rationales Obtain baseline temperature, monitoring every 15 minutes until stable. 90oF is the suppression of the body to self warming. Rewarming rapidly may cause peripheral vasodilatation and may impede rewarming efforts. Rewarm patientb per hospital protocol, preferably in an ICU Early rewarming decreases tissue damage. Observe for mental changes and return of shivering responses. The response anmong elderly maybe seen as rigidity. Instruct the patient and family to subsided nurses. May indicate complications after rewarming Instruct the patient and the family in methods of avoiding hypothermia exposure. The patient may try to economize by decreasing ambient temperature. Hyperthermia- Application to Nursing Practices Hyperthermia is the presence of uncharacteristically high body temperature that is the result of inadequate responses of the body's heat-regulatory mechanisms. Due to the aging factors the capability to produce sweat that cools down the body. In which the fibroxine glands do not function properly; and adjacent connective tissues has less vascular, the causing the elderly patients to sweat only at high temperature. Through neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system mechanisms the hypothalamus regulates any heat loss when the physiologic functioning is normal. Over heat temperature can cause vasculature in the skin to dilate and can make chronic diseases worse. There are three major types of disorder that are caused by excessive heat: Heat cramps - due to extreme physical activity in hot, humid weather. Heat exhaustion- due to water depletion that is resulting to hypertonic dehydration. Heatstroke- a dangerous condition especially in the elders, in which the heat loss mechanisms are inadequate. A high temperature of at least 105 - 106 oF, an absence of sweating, light headedness, headache, weakness, dyspnea and nausea and loss of consciousness usually leads to heatstroke. It is a medical emergency and patients should be treated in the intensive care unit because of the potential for lethal dysrhythmias, renal and hepatic damage, and coagulation defects. Nurses could make an assist to use CBC to evaluate hydration, bleeding, anemia, and presence of infection. Final Words As we have studied this subject about the body temperature system as it changes from time to time depending on its internal and external world. This system makes us remain and stay alive, surviving to this confusing world which we do not know how to fight such coldness and warmness but our body itself find ways holding us in the capacity to remain in balance. Therefore we should keep in balance for preventing illnesses regarding our temperature. Work Cited Barbara Kozier B. et. Al.2004.Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts, Process and Practice (7th ed.)Philippines; Pearson. Comer S.(2005). Delmar's Geriatic Nursing Care Plans;Thompson Learning Asia. Levine J. Ph.D.(2003) Prentice Hall Biology.Philippines;Pearson. Read A. W.(1995.Webster Comprehensive International Dictionary of the English Language(Del.Ed.Vol.1-2)Chicago;Illinois. Salazar S.(Ed.).(2004).Health Guide To Better Health.Makati;MediMedia. Schmid-Elsaesser,RMd.et al.(1999).Combination Drug Therapy and Mild Hypothermai A Promising Treatment Strategy for Reversible, Focal General Ischemia.Stroke Journal of Cerebral Circulation.Vol.30,No.9;1891. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.(1993.March 22).Pagwawasto sa Temperatura ng Katawan.Gumising,29 Read More