2.6 Explain major factors that influence changes in physiological measurements

This guide will help you answer 2.6 Explain major factors that influence changes in physiological measurements.

Physiological measurements show how well the body is working. They include temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. Changes in these can tell us about a person’s health and wellbeing. Many factors can affect these measurements. Some are short term, others long term. As a health and social care worker, you need to recognise what may be causing a change. This helps with timely intervention and supports decision-making.

Age

Age impacts all physiological measurements.
In newborns and young children, pulse and respiration rates are higher than in adults. Body temperature regulation can be less stable in infants.
In older adults, blood vessels can stiffen which often raises blood pressure. Heart rate may slow due to changes in heart muscle function. Older adults may have reduced lung capacity which affects respiration rate and oxygen saturation.

Changes linked to age can include:

• Higher baseline heart rate in infants
• Lower baseline heart rate in older adults
• Variations in blood pressure over time
• Fluctuations in temperature regulation

Age needs to be considered when assessing results. An elevated pulse in a young child may be normal but may signal distress in an adult.

Physical Activity

Physical activity can cause short-term increases in pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
During exercise, muscles demand more oxygen. The heart pumps faster and breathing rate rises. Blood pressure can rise temporarily as the body works harder. Oxygen saturation may remain steady unless exercise is extreme.

Activity-related changes include:

• Faster heart rate to deliver oxygen
• Increased breathing rate to meet oxygen demands
• Temporary blood pressure rise

Once activity stops, measurements often return to baseline within minutes. In people who are very fit, recovery is quicker.

Emotional State

Stress, anxiety, excitement, or fear can trigger changes. The body reacts through the release of stress hormones like adrenaline. This raises heart rate and blood pressure and may quicken breathing.
Calm and relaxation tend to lower these measurements. This is due to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system which slows heart rate and promotes steady breathing.

Emotional triggers affecting measurements:

• Stress and anxiety can elevate readings
• Relaxation can reduce pulse and blood pressure
• Sudden shock can cause rapid changes

Repeating measurements later can help to see if the cause was emotional or physical.

Time of Day

The body has natural rhythms known as circadian rhythms. Temperature often peaks late in the day and is lowest in the early morning.
Blood pressure is often lower during sleep and rises on waking. Heart rate can be slower at rest and faster during active periods.

Time-based influences can include:

• Morning readings may differ from afternoon or night readings
• Sleep lowers many measurements
• Physical activity at certain times can raise results

Consistency in testing times helps with accuracy when tracking changes.

Medication

Medication can directly affect physiological measurements. Drugs used for heart conditions may lower heart rate and blood pressure. Some painkillers can slow respiration. Certain inhalers can slightly increase heart rate.
Diuretics can reduce blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body. Other medicines may influence temperature, such as antibiotics which treat infection, leading to a gradual decrease from a fever state.

Examples include:

• Beta-blockers slowing heart rate
• Steroids raising blood pressure over time
• Sedatives slowing respiration

Always record medicine use when taking measurements to interpret data correctly.

Illness and Infection

Illness can alter most measurements. Fever raises body temperature. Infection may cause faster heart rate and breathing rate. Oxygen saturation may drop if lungs are affected.
Pain can raise pulse and blood pressure. Chronic illness may produce long-term changes, such as reduced oxygen saturation in people with COPD.

Effects can include:

• Higher temperature in infection
• Raised heart rate in illness or pain
• Lower oxygen saturation in lung disease

It is important to treat and monitor changes until they return to safe levels.

Environment

Room temperature, humidity, and air quality affect measurements. A hot room can increase body temperature and pulse. Cold conditions can lower skin temperature and make blood pressure rise as vessels tighten. Poor air quality can lower oxygen saturation.

Environmental aspects can include:

• Heat raising body temperature
• Cold increasing blood pressure
• Poor air lowering oxygen saturation

Working conditions should be kept comfortable when taking readings.

Hydration and Nutrition

Fluid levels in the body influence blood pressure and heart rate. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure and faster heart rate.
Eating a large meal can slightly raise body temperature as digestion works. Low blood sugar can cause faster pulse and dizziness.

Influences from hydration and nutrition:

• Dehydration reducing blood pressure
• Low blood sugar raising pulse rate
• Well-balanced meals supporting steady measurements

Checking when a person last ate or drank helps interpretation.

Posture and Position

The position of the body changes measurements. Standing can increase heart rate slightly compared to lying down. Blood pressure may be higher when standing due to gravity effects.
Breathing may be easier sitting up compared to lying flat. This can affect respiration rate and oxygen saturation.

Posture effects include:

• Standing increasing pulse and blood pressure slightly
• Sitting aiding lung function
• Lying flat slowing breathing rate

Always note position when recording readings.

Pain

Pain stimulates the body’s stress response. This can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. Severe pain may also cause sweating and temperature changes.
Once pain is managed, these measurements often return to normal.

Pain-linked changes:

• Raised heart rate and blood pressure
• Faster breathing
• Temporary temperature shifts

Recording pain levels alongside measurements helps in understanding results.

Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking affects oxygen saturation and pulse. Short term, it can raise blood pressure. Long term, it can lower lung capacity and affect oxygen levels permanently.
Alcohol can lower blood pressure and impair pulse regulation. In high amounts it can affect breathing and temperature control.

Substance-linked changes:

• Smoking lowering oxygen saturation over time
• Alcohol lowering blood pressure
• Both affecting pulse regulation

Lifestyle habits should be recorded when unusual readings appear.

Hormonal Changes

Hormones influence many body systems. Women’s physiological measurements can vary in relation to their menstrual cycle. Pregnancy can raise heart rate and affect blood pressure.
Conditions such as thyroid disorders can change temperature regulation and heart rate.

Hormone effects include:

• Menstrual cycle raising temperature slightly at certain points
• Pregnancy increasing heart rate
• Thyroid function affecting pulse and temperature

Medical history can guide interpretation.

Fatigue

Lack of sleep or extreme tiredness can lower blood pressure and change pulse patterns. It can also reduce temperature slightly.
Fatigue affects breathing depth and rhythm. It may mimic illness in some readings.

Fatigue-related impacts:

• Lower blood pressure
• Variable pulse rate
• Shallower breathing

Ask about sleep patterns when results seem unusual.

Final Thoughts

Changes in physiological measurements happen for many reasons. Some are short term and harmless, others signal health problems. As a health and social care worker, recognising these factors makes your monitoring more reliable and your responses quicker.
Always look at the wider picture. Think about age, activity, environment, and emotional state, along with any medical conditions or medicines. This creates a clearer view of what is normal for the person and what may indicate a risk.

Consistent recording and awareness of influencing factors improves care quality. This helps you spot early warning signs and supports better health outcomes for those you work with.