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Case Study: Integumentary System
The doctors indicated that Karen had suffered from hyperthermia. What is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are commonly known forms of hyperthermia. Risk for these conditions can increase with the combination of outside temperature, general health, and individual lifestyle (Calvin, 2012).
How does homeostasis relate to hyperthermia?
Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a controlled equilibrium state, and because hyperthermia is caused by an abnormally high body temperature, this disrupts hemostasis causing the body to be unbalanced (Osilla, 2023)
How does the application of cool pads and spraying of water on the skin lower the body temperature?
The application of cool pads and spraying of water on the skin lowers the body's temperature because it helps draw out heat from the skin, while providing a cooling effect, it increases the rate of evaporation and help decrease the body's temperature more
rapidly.
