Harry is hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia. When you visit him, his teeth are chattering, his skin is cool and clammy to the touch, and he complains of feeling cold, even though the room is quite warm. Explain his symptoms.
What will be an ideal response?
Harry's symptoms indicate a fever caused by his bacterial pneumonia. The white cells battling the pneumonia release pyrogens that act directly on the hypothalamus, causing its neurons to release prostaglandins. The prostaglandins reset the hypothalamic thermostat to a higher temperature, causing the body to initiate heat-promoting mechanisms. Vasoconstriction causes a decline of heat loss from the body surface, cooling of the skin, and shivering.
You might also like to view...
Normal healthy lungs are hard to the touch
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin will increase the flexibility of the pubic symphysis and of ligaments of the pelvic bones that will allow expansion of the pelvic outlet during delivery of the baby
a. true b. false
Vasopressin is also known as ____________________, indicative of its effect on the kidneys
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
The membrane potential in a typical cell
1.is the sum of the individual potentials of all ions. 2.is positive on the inside relative to the outside of the cell. 3.is the result of a charge difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the membrane. 4.is entirely the result of the difference in potassium ion concentrations on the two sides of the membrane. 5.is entirely the result of the difference in cation concentrations on the two sides of the membrane.