How to explain homeostasis

Published

How would I explain this to a patient or child. It seems I have a little problem with speech and when I'm not on A.D.D meds it doesn't come out right.

And what is up with some patients trying to show off what they know

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

ummm may I ask why you need to explain this to a child? im curious as to the situation that requires this....

Anyways, i'd give the example that when you are cold, you get goosbumps bc your body is trying to keep you warm by making your hair stand on end.... that way the body is balancing itself etc, etc'....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How would I explain this to a patient or child. It seems I have a little problem with speech and when I'm not on A.D.D meds it doesn't come out right.

And what is up with some patients trying to show off what they know

I consider patients showing off what they know to be a good thing. It gives them a sense of power in the midst of an event that can often make folks feel powerless, and gives me a good opportunity to see what they understand.

Homeostasis is just the right balance of everything....it's an equilibrium. Honestly, it's not a word I'd likely use with patients....there are more accessible ways to communicate that concept.

Are you in nursing school now and communicating with patients? I thought you were in high school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, I've seen it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No, I've seen it.

I don't know what you mean by this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA.
How would I explain this to a patient or child. It seems I have a little problem with speech and when I'm not on A.D.D meds it doesn't come out right.

The first step is grasping the concept yourself. Can you describe what you think homeostasis is? Then we can try to think of teaching strategies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When your body maintains a stable internal environment. The bodies internal environment is kept constantly stable. Like, the body is constantly working to keep its inner environment normal or almost same right. Not 100% same but near same.

I must be kinda wrong right

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Homeostatis is kind of like your thermostat at home. When the ambient air gets below a certain temp, the heat turns on. When it gets up to a certain temp it turns off. That is sort of what goes on in your body. So when you shiver you are actually warming up your body. When you sweat you are lowering your body temp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Homeostatis is kind of like your thermostat at home. When the ambient air gets below a certain temp, the heat turns on. When it gets up to a certain temp it turns off. That is sort of what goes on in your body. So when you shiver you are actually warming up your body. When you sweat you are lowering your body temp.

Isn't that maintaining homeostasis? Or is that homeostasis also?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Isn't that maintaining homeostasis? Or is that homeostasis also?

Homeostasis is the dynamic equilibrium itself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
Homeostatis is kind of like your thermostat at home. When the ambient air gets below a certain temp, the heat turns on. When it gets up to a certain temp it turns off. That is sort of what goes on in your body. So when you shiver you are actually warming up your body. When you sweat you are lowering your body temp.

I was going to say the same thing.

You could approach it from both ends - cold ambient temperature triggering heat blower on and warm ambient temperature triggering the air conditioning. Your set point for the thermostat analogy (deviations from set point trigger shifts) is the same as the body's internal temperature regulation "set point".

Hope that helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So basically it's when the body maintains internal stability by making changes?

So during homeostasis your temperature is kept stable including everything else?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion