Vital signs or Cardinal signs – measurement of physiologic functioning, specially Body temperature Pulse Respiration Blood pressure May include pain and pulse oximetry

a. Body temperature – balance between the heat produced and the heat lost from the body.

Kinds of Body Temperature Core Temperature – the temperature of the deep tissues of the body Surface Temperature – the temperature of the subcutaneous and fat

5 factors that affect the body’s heat reproduction1. Basal metabolic rate (BMR)2. Muscle activity3. Thyroxin output4. Epinephrine, Norphinephrine and sympathetic stimulation5. Fever

Factors affecting loss of the heat from the body1. Radiation – transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of

another without contact between the two objects2. Conduction – transfer of heat from one molecule to a molecule of lower

temperature3. Convection – the dispersion of heat by air currents4. Vaporation – continuous evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract and

from the mucosa of the mouth and the skin

3 Routes in temperature Assessment

Routes Ranges MinutesRectal 37 – 38 1 minuteOral 36.5 – 37.5 2-3 minutes

Axillary 36 – 37 5-8 minutes

Mercury-in-glass thermometers are the traditionally used thermometer.