Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:

• A. Have less body fat
• B. Have smaller body surface areas
• C. Exhibit poor thermoregulation
• D. Have relatively smaller heads

Answer: (C)

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia due to their difficulties in thermoregulation. Thermoregulation is the body's ability to maintain its core internal temperature within the narrow, healthy range, despite external temperature fluctuations. In elderly patients, physiological changes, such as diminished sweat gland function, decreased metabolic rate, and potential underlying health issues, can impair their ability to dissipate heat effectively. Similarly, newborns and infants have immature thermoregulatory systems, which means they cannot effectively manage extreme temperatures. This lack of efficient thermoregulation increases the risk of hyperthermia, especially in hot environments or during illness. While body fat, body surface area, and head size may play roles in heat loss and gain, the fundamental issue for these populations is their compromised ability to regulate body temperature effectively. Hence, the choice highlighting poor thermoregulation accurately identifies the primary concern for hyperthermia in these vulnerable groups.

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia due to their difficulties in thermoregulation. Thermoregulation is the body's ability to maintain its core internal temperature within the narrow, healthy range, despite external temperature fluctuations.

In elderly patients, physiological changes, such as diminished sweat gland function, decreased metabolic rate, and potential underlying health issues, can impair their ability to dissipate heat effectively. Similarly, newborns and infants have immature thermoregulatory systems, which means they cannot effectively manage extreme temperatures. This lack of efficient thermoregulation increases the risk of hyperthermia, especially in hot environments or during illness.

While body fat, body surface area, and head size may play roles in heat loss and gain, the fundamental issue for these populations is their compromised ability to regulate body temperature effectively. Hence, the choice highlighting poor thermoregulation accurately identifies the primary concern for hyperthermia in these vulnerable groups.