Peripheral temperature measurements from the sole of the foot provide information about the infant's thermal state, particularly when graphed with core temperature to assess which aspect?

• A. Cardiac rhythm
• B. Respiratory rate
• C. Heat balance
• D. Blood pressure

Answer: (C)

Heat balance is the key idea here—the balance between the infant’s metabolic heat production and the heat lost to the environment. Measuring temperature from the foot and graphing it against core temperature shows how well that balance is being maintained. The skin temperature is sensitive to environmental conditions and vasomotor changes, so when you compare it to core temperature you can see if heat loss is outpacing production, or if there’s overheating or fever.

If the core and peripheral temperatures stay close and within a normal range, thermoregulation is adequate. If the peripheral temperature stays much cooler than the core, that suggests increased heat loss or reduced peripheral perfusion and a risk for hypothermia. If both rise together beyond normal, there may be overheating or fever. Other vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure reflect cardiovascular and respiratory status, not this heat-balance relationship.