The nurse plans care to prevent a dangerous thermal environment for an older man who lives in a northern climate of the United States.Which patient assessment data does the nurse recognize that can contribute to his risk of hypothermia?

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A CVA can impair an older adult's thermoregulatory center and potentially diminish the individual's awareness of temperature changes or the ability to respond suitably to a temperature change.In addition,if the older adult is left with a cognitive deficit or aphasia,then the older adult's ability to communicate a thermal problem is potentially impaired.A history of diabetes mellitus can contribute to a dangerous thermal environment for the older adult.A complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy,which potentially impairs the ability to sense temperature change.In addition,peripheral arterial disease associated with diabetes contributes to the individual's ability to compensate to temperature changes with vasodilation or vasoconstriction.Building miniature cars is a sedentary activity.The associated metabolic activity is low,the older adult generates less heat from metabolic activity,and the individual is at a higher risk for hypothermia when the temperature is cool.Household heat from a boiler in the cellar creates a potential regulatory problem for the older adult living in the building because adjustments to temperature affect the entire household and are only made in the cellar.Thermostats in individual rooms do not exist in such a heating system.If the individual has impaired mobility,then he might be unable to navigate the stairs to the cellar and adjust the temperature.Bathing three to four times a week limits the exposure of bare skin to the cooling effects of evaporation to reduce the risk of hypothermia.Diaphoresis on a warm day is a suitable response to heat.

The Nurse Plans Care to Prevent a Dangerous Thermal Environment