The nurse applies a warmed blanket to a chilled patient. Which term is used to describe the process by which the blanket increases the patient’s temperature?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s core temperature has not dropped too low. The normal body temperature range is 97.7°F to 99.5°F¹. The patient’s temperature is still within this range, although it has decreased from a feverish level.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because vasodilation is the process of widening the blood vessels to increase blood flow and heat loss². This is a natural response of the body to lower the temperature when it is too high. Vasodilation can cause the skin to appear flushed and feel warm to the touch³.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient is not exhausted from shivering. Shivering is another mechanism of the body to increase the temperature when it is too low². Shivering involves involuntary muscle contractions that generate heat³. The patient’s temperature is not too low, so shivering is not likely to occur.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s infection has not spread to the bloodstream. A bloodstream infection, or sepsis, is a serious condition that can cause a high fever, not a low one. Sepsis can also cause other symptoms, such as chills, rapid breathing, and confusion. The patient’s temperature has dropped, not increased, and there is no evidence of sepsis.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because professional shared governance is not a patient care action, but an organizational model that empowers nurses and other health care professionals to participate in decision making and policy development within their practice settings.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because nursing care delivery model is not a patient care action, but a framework that defines how nursing care is organized, coordinated, and delivered to the patients. Examples of nursing care delivery models include primary nursing, team nursing, and case management.

Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because interprofessional communication is a patient care action that involves exchanging information, ideas, and feedback among health care professionals from different disciplines who work together to provide comprehensive care for the patients. Interprofessional communication enhances collaboration, quality, and safety of care.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because continuing staff education is not a patient care action, but a professional development activity that involves updating and enhancing the knowledge and skills of the health care staff through formal or informal learning opportunities. Continuing staff education improves the competence and performance of the staff.