Sunday, August 24, 2008

Why shouldn't a patient with heart disease have their temperature taken rectally

Why shouldn't a patient with heart disease have their temperature taken rectally?
I am studying for an exam and one of the questions is 'Rectal temperatures should not be taken from which of the following patients?' The answer is 'patients with heart disease' My question is, why shouldn't they? It's not in my book and I don't remember this ever being talked about in class. I can't find the answer anywhere.Please help.
Heart Diseases - 3 Answers
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1 :
Look up Vagal Response in your book and you will find the answer. The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the rectum, passing the heart in the process. Pressure on the vagus nerve can cause the heart to slow down, and blood pressure to drop. This is the main reason that a lot of elderly people come into the hospital. (They passed out while on the toilet.) Taking a rectal temperature can put pressure on the vagus nerve, causing a decline in the blood pressure and heart rate of your patient. You can actually cause a cardiac event, and even, death in some cases by taking the rectal temp, on a cardiac patient. (a patient with heart disease) Good luck in your class.
2 :
Because the vagus nerve is there and it has a direct connection to the heart, brain, throat, etc. Putting a rectal thermometer in might stimulate that nerve causing the heart to spasm.
3 :
The anal valves are richly supplied with sensory nerves (sacral plexus) and therefore very sensitive to pain. intense pain may cause bradycardia, syncope and even cardiac arrest, another reason is patients who use anticoagulants, aspirin or antiplatelette drugs has a chance of bleeding PR or haematoma

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