Free NCLEX RN Questions on Health Promotion and Maintenance Nursing Practice Question
Which factors increase the risk for hypothermia in an older client? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: The median oral temperature of an older client is 96.8^{\circF}\left(36^{\circC}\right) . Environmental temperatures below 65^{\circF}\left(18^{\circC}\right) may cause a serious drop in core body temperature to 95^{\circF}\left(35^{\circC}\right) or less in the older client. Numerous factors increase the risk of hypothermia in the older client, including conditions that increase heat loss (e.g., burns); conditions that decrease heat production such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, or anemia; medications or substances that interfere with thermoregulation, such as alcohol; or thermoregulatory impairment (failure to sense cold).