1. Vital signS temperature & pain

2. temperature
Core body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain
Normal body temperature is degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius)

3. Increasing body temperature
Heat is produced as we burn calories from food
If calories fail to produce enough heat, the hypothalamus will compensate for the lack of heat by sending a message(through the nerves) to the muscle to create shivering and causing the blood vessels to constrict so the body can retain heat
Shivering produces heat
Blood vessels constricting retains heat
The process heats the body and maintains homeostasis

4. Decreasing body temperature
If the body produces too much heat (exercise) the sweat glands are stimulated to release heat and blood vessels are stimulated to dilate to promote heat dissipation
The process decreases body temperature and maintains homeostasis

5. Measuring body temperature
When measuring body temperature the value obtained may differ, depending on the measurement site
Common ways to measure body temperature are:
Oral: Under tongue
Thermometer is place under patients tongue
Tympanic membrane: Inner ear
Shares a blood supply with the hypothalamus
Thermometer measures the temperature of the blood flowing through the membrane
Rectum: Most accurate reading
Used to measure core body temperature with heat stroke victims
Temporal artery: Between the frontal and temporal bone in the skull
Thermometer scans temperature of blood in artery using infrared technology

6. Respiratory insufficiency
Skin color
Red skin may be an indication of:
Heatstroke
High blood pressure
Pale or ashen skin may be an indication of:
Shock
Internal bleeding
Heat exhaustion
Insulin shock
Blue (Cyanotic) skin (or mucous membrane), mostly seen in the lips and nailbeds, may be an indication of:
Respiratory insufficiency

7. Examining pupils
Normal pupils should be of equal size and react to light (PERL)
P = Pupils
E = Equal
R = React
L = Light
When light is presented to the eye the pupils should restrict (get smaller)
When light is taken away from the eye the pupils should dilate (get larger)

8. Measuring pain
Evaluate the injured athlete’s pain on a scale from 0 to 10
0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain possible
It is important to establish a baseline for the athlete’s level of pain
See Universal pain assessment
It is important to check the athlete’s vital sign periodically to see if anything has changed
A change can indicate whether the athlete’s condition is improving or getting worse

9. THINKING IT THROUGH