CH 10 Vital Signs

Question 1

Temperature (normal findings) + notes

Answer 1

Oral: 96.4 - 99.1 F
Rectal: 97.1 - 100.1 F

• rectal is most accurate but most invasive
• tympanic used in peds for ease

Question 2

Pulse Rate (normal findings) + notes

Answer 2

60 - 100 BPM

• low pulse can be normal for athletes
• doppler can be used if not palpable

Question 3

Pulse Rhythm (normal findings)

Answer 3

Regular, even tempo

Question 4

Pulse Force (normal findings) + notes

Answer 4

2+

• reflects strength of heart’s stroke volume (volume of blood pumped from ventricle per beat)

Question 5

Respiration (normal findings) + notes

Answer 5

10 - 20/minute

• distract patient to get accurate reading
• count for 30 sec and multiply by 2 (count full minute if suspected abnormality)

Question 6

Oxygen Saturation (normal findings) + notes

Answer 6

> 95% on Room Air

Question 7

Blood Pressure (normal findings) + notes

Answer 7

130/80

Range: 110-130 systolic
70-80 diastolic

Question 8

Blood pressure (systolic vs diastolic)

Answer 8

Systolic: max pressure reading during ventricular contraction (TOP READING)

Diastolic: recoil/resting pressure between each contraction when ventricles fill with blood (BOTTOM READING)

Question 9

Pulse Pressure

Answer 9

• Difference between systolic and diastolic pressures

- Reflects stroke volume

Question 10

Steps for Performing Blood Pressure Reading (7 steps)

Answer 10

1. Ensure cuff is correct size
2. Place around arm as directed
3. Inflate to high level (max = 200)
4. Deflate cuff slowly and evenly
5. Listen for Korotkoff sounds
   
   • Systolic: 1st sound you hear
   • Diastolic: last sound you hear before silence
6. Readings should always be even numbered
7. Do NOT do BP on mastectomy arm!