Assessing a patient Flashcards
How do you Calculate BMI?
BMI = Weight (KG) / Height (M)’2
1ft = 0.305 m
1 St = 6.35 kg = 14 Lbs
Assessing Pain
What is
SOCRATES
S = Site
O = Onset
C = character
R = Radiates
A = Associated symptoms
T = Time
E = excabberate / aleviate
S = Severity
What should you do when taking someones blood pressure?
8 steps
- Ask them arm they prefer?
- Tell them to relax the arm, otherwise they may feel more pressure.
- Properly expose the patient - Placed on skin, as if on clothes it will make an inaccurate reading.
- Properly position the patient - the arm should be at heart level and supported to get the correct reading. The patient should be seated comfortably, with the legs uncrossed.
- Select the proper cuff size.
- Palpate the artery (extend the arm and find the pulse, 4th finer up the arm
- Properly position the cuff = The lower margin of the cuff should be positioned 1 inch above the point the pulse was located, and should be snug to the arm.
- Use palpation to estimate the systolic blood pressure = While palpating the radial pulse, inflate the cuff until the pulse disappears. Release the pressure until the pulse returns, and note the reading on the sphygmomanometer at this point. This is your palpated systolic blood pressure.
What is the C in Socrates?
C = character = type of pain? Sharp or dull? Constant / intermittent (coming and going) ?
What is the 1st S in Socrates?
S = Site = Where is the pain?
What is the O in Socrates?
O = Onset = When did the pain start?
What is the R in Socrates?
R = Radiates = Pain spread anywhere else?
What is the A in Socrates?
A = Associated symptoms = Other symptoms with pain?
What is the T in Socrates?
T = Time = Pain changed since it started? How long does it last? Is it better or worse?
What is the E in Socrates?
E = excabberate / alerviate = What makes it worse/better?
What is the last S in Socrates?
S = Severity = Scale of 1-19 how bad is in the pain? scales compared to be movement vs rest?
