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Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
Management of the hyperthermic patient
Emilie Jb Calvello1, Kami Hu, Danya Khoujah
1Deaprtment of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)
|November 2, 2011
Summary
Elevated body temperature above 38°C can indicate serious conditions beyond infection. This review covers hyperthermia causes, symptoms, and management for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Elevated body temperature (greater than 38°C) can signify various critical clinical syndromes.
- Diagnosis beyond infectious etiologies is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of hyperthermia.
- To outline clinical features and diagnostic approaches.
- To guide the management of hyperthermia for appropriate treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of hyperthermia.
- Synthesis of current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Hyperthermia encompasses diverse etiologies requiring differential diagnosis.
- Understanding pathophysiology aids in identifying clinical presentations.
- Structured management approaches improve patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and management of hyperthermia are essential for addressing underlying clinical syndromes.
- This review provides a framework for clinicians managing patients with elevated body temperature.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Body Temperature
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
Decreased Body Temperature
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Methods of reducing fever
The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may include:
Factors may include:
Increased pulse rate
Tachycardia is a condition marked by an abnormally fast or irregular heart rate, surpassing the typical resting rate. In adults, tachycardia is characterized by a pulse rate ranging from 100 to 180 beats per minute. The increased heart rate can result in inadequate blood flow to various body parts, ultimately diminishing the oxygen supply to organs and tissues.
Many factors can elevate the risk of developing tachycardia. These include advanced age, a family history of arrhythmias, and an...
Many factors can elevate the risk of developing tachycardia. These include advanced age, a family history of arrhythmias, and an...

