SECTION 6 Vital Signs

Factors That Affect Body Temperature

Factors	Effects
Exercise	Increases body temperature
Hormonal influences	Decrease or increase body temperature
Before ovulation	Body temperature decreased below baseline
During ovulation	Body temperature increased to baseline or higher
Menopause	Periodic increase in body temperature
Time of day variations:
Early morning	Temperature is lowest
Daytime	Body temperature rises
Evening	Body temperature peaks by 0.5º-1º F (0.3º-0.6º C)
Stress (physical and emotional)	Increases body temperature
Warm environment	Increases body temperature
Cold environment	Decreases body temperature
Infection	Increases body temperature
Tachypnea (rapid breathing)	Decreases oral temperature
Age	For persons >70 years of age, average oral body temperature is 96.8º F (36º C)
Hot liquids	Increase oral temperature for about 15 minutes
Cold liquids	Decrease oral temperature for about 15 minutes
Smoking	Increases oral temperature for about 30 minutes

Acceptable Ranges of Heart (Pulse) Rate

Age	Heart Rate (Beats per Minute)
Infant	120-160
Toddler	90-140
Preschooler	80-110
School-age child	75-100
Adolescent	60-100
Adult	60-100

Adapted from Potter PA, Perry AG: Fundamentals of nursing, ed 7, St Louis, 2009, Mosby.

Factors That Influence Heart (Pulse) Rate

Factor	Increased Pulse Rate	Decreased Pulse Rate
Exercise	Short-term exercise	A conditioned athlete who participates in long-term exercise will have a lower heart rate at rest

Temperature Fever and heat Hypothermia Emotions and stress Acute pain and anxiety increase sympathetic stimulation, affecting heart rate Unrelieved severe pain increases parasympathetic stimulation, affecting heart rate; relaxation Medications Positive chronotropic drugs, e.g., epinephrine Negative chronotropic drugs, e.g., digitalis, beta and calcium blockers Hemorrhage Loss of blood increases sympathetic stimulation   Postural changes Standing or sitting Lying down Pulmonary conditions Diseases causing poor oxygenation such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)  

From Potter PA, Perry AG: />

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue