Help with Presentation ASAP PLEASE

Nurses General Nursing

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I have to give a short presentation at work to CNAs about how increasing the thermostat can cause respiratory problems.

Just quick brainstorming here (and I am tired after working 16 hours straight so I appologize in advance for the terrible grammer): In hot environments, you expend additional energy to cool your body which also increases the amount of oxygen you are using. Breathing in a hot environment can also constrict the airways causing dyspnea. :rolleyes:

Is there really anything more I should add? It seems silly and short. Thanks in advance for all who reply!!!

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Specializes in Home Care.

Think back to microbiology and the effect of temperature on bacteria, viruses and molds.

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I'd have some sources to back that up, too. Of course an increase in temperature can have that effect, but what kind of increase are you talking about? Going from 60 to 64 degrees? Or 60 to 80 degrees? Interesting topic.

Good luck!

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Specializes in PACU.

You might also want to address cost savings--the less money the facility puts out for power the less likely the CNAs are to get laid off. That might get some of 'em who're less inclined to implement the changes some extra motivation.

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Think about the negative feedback mechanism and homeostasis. If they are constantly flipping the thermostat up and down, their bodies may not have the ability to regulate and it ruins their balance. With the elderly this is even more the case. They tend to be more cold natured anyway because physiologically their skin is thinner and they lose heat a lot faster. Sort of the same with babies.

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Think back to microbiology and the effect of temperature on bacteria, viruses and molds.

I understand that bacteria thrive at room temperature...but you can't keep the room freezing cold. 73F would seem like a comfortable room temp.

To me, this topic seems silly and I don't know why I am told to do a presentation on this.

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Think about the negative feedback mechanism and homeostasis. If they are constantly flipping the thermostat up and down, their bodies may not have the ability to regulate and it ruins their balance. With the elderly this is even more the case. They tend to be more cold natured anyway because physiologically their skin is thinner and they lose heat a lot faster. Sort of the same with babies.

Thanks, I agree with this. I am suppose to do a presentation to tell the CNAs to quit turning up the thermostat basically...73 would seem to be a desirable temperature. I keep it cold in my house, lol. This is probably one of the strangest presentations I'm having to do.

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You might also want to address cost savings--the less money the facility puts out for power the less likely the CNAs are to get laid off. That might get some of 'em who're less inclined to implement the changes some extra motivation.

:lol2: LOL...yeah, I should tell them that!

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

If the plea didn't sound so desperate, I wouldn't have gone to this thread.

Excessive heat expands blood vessels, which could evenmtually lower blood pressure. that relaxes people and encourages sleeping.

However, that causes nurses to fall asleep on night duty (and other times), and perspire more, since they bustle around, which could dehydrate them. I don't believe that it causes difficulty breathing, but it sure causes excessive expense, enlarging everyone's carbon "footprint".

Just a guess, some NA turned the heat up?

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thank you so much everyone and especially nccity 2002...this is the information i needed! i did a search but couldn't find articles directly pin-pointing what i needed. this is perfect. thank you all so much for responding!!!

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wouldn't it be easier to put a lock on the thermostats?

leslie

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