1- Vital Signs and Neuro Observations Flashcards
State a normal body temperature
36-37.5 degrees
What is a low temperature called
Hypothermia
What is a high temperatire called
Hyperthermia or pyrexial
State a normal respiratory rate in adults
12-20
Compare a Childs respiratory rate to an adults
Children generally have a faster respiratory rate
What is fast breathing called
Tachypnoea
What is slow breathing called
bradypnoea
How is temperature measured
Thermometer
How do we measure respiratory rate
Visually counting breaths
State a normal pulse rate for adults
60-100 Beats per min
Compare a Childs pulse to an adults
Children tend to have a faster heart rate
What is a fast heart rate called
Tachycardia
What is a slow heart rate called
Bradycardia
How do we measure pulse
Counting beats at pulse points
How do we measure oxygen saturations
Pulse oximetry
How do we use pulse oximetry
By placing a probe on the finger that measures the percentage of haemoglobin in arterial blood that is oxygen saturated
What is a normal pulse oximetry reading
> 95%
What might the oximetry reading of a pulse oximetry be in a patient with respiratory disease
88-92%
What might give a falsely low reading on a pulse oximetry
- Cold extremities
- Nail polish
- Probing finger moving
- High levels of ambient light
What is peak flow
Peak flow is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs.
Why do we measure peak flow
Used to help diagnose and monitor asthma
How is peak flow measured
You measure peak flow by blowing as hard and as fast as you can into a small hand-held device called a peak flow meter
State a normal blood pressure
Systolic 100-140
Diastolic 70-90
Talk through the process of taking blood pressure
- Explain procedure and obtain consent
- Apply correct size cuff
- Palpate radial or branchial pulse
- Inflate cuff till pulse disappears (this is the systolic)
- Deflate cuff fully
- Re inflate cuff to 20-30mmHg above estimate pressure
- Place diaphragm of stethoscope over brachial pulse. Deflate cuff slowly listening for first sounds (systolic pressure)
- Continue to slowly deflate till sounds disappear (diastolic pressure)
How do we measure patient awareness
ACVPU scale