The nurse admitting a patient to the emergency department on a ...

[cmoore54]

The nurse admitting a patient to the emergency department on a very hot summer day would suspect hyperthermia when the patient demonstrates which assessment finding?
 
  a. Decreased respirations
  b. Low pulse rate
  c. Red, sweaty skin
  d. Slow capillary refill

Question 2

During orientation to an emergency department, the nurse educator would be concerned if the new nurse listed which of the following as a risk factor for impaired thermoregulation?
 
  a. Impaired cognition
  b. Occupational exposure
  c. Physical agility
  d. Temperature extremes

[josephsuarez]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
With hyperthermia, vasodilatation occurs causing the skin to appear flushed and warm or hot to touch. There is an increased respiration rate with hyperthermia. The heart rate increases with hyperthermia. With hypothermia there is slow capillary refill.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Physical agility is not a risk factor for impaired thermoregulation. The nurse educator would use this information to plan additional teaching to include medical conditions and gait disturbance as risk factors for hypothermia, because their bodies have a reduced ability to generate heat. Impaired cognition is a risk factor. Recreational or occupational exposure is a risk factor. Temperature extremes are risk factors for impaired thermoregulation.

[cmoore54]

Excellent

[amcvicar]

TYSM