Ch. 12 Vital Signs

Question 1

Standard precaution vital signs

Answer 1

1. Body temp
2. Pulse
3. Respiratory Rate
4. Blood Pressure

Question 2

Pt Position for vitals

Answer 2

Upright and at eye level

Question 3

Normal body temp

Answer 3

97-99
Average 98.6

Question 4

Temperature variations

Pyrexia
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia

Answer 4

Fever over 99.5
Over 104
Below 96

Question 5

Pulse

Answer 5

Intermittent throbbing sensation felt when fingers are pressed against an artery

No absolute normal but ranges 60-100 bpm

Slightly higher for women than men

Question 6

Tachycardia
Bradycardia

Answer 6

Unusually fast over 100 bpm
Unusually slow below 50 bpm

Question 7

Factors that influence pulse rate

Answer 7

Increase: exercise, stimulants, eating, strong emotions, extremes of hot or cold, and some forms of heat disease

Decrease: sleep, depressants, fasting, quiet emotions and low vitality from prolonged illness

Question 8

Sites to take pulse

Answer 8

Radial. At wrist
Carotid pulse. Side of upper neck
Brachial. Inside of upper arm, below elbow

Temporal
Facial

Question 9

Taking pulse

Answer 9

Use first 3 fingers
Thumb side - ventral side of wrist

Question 10

Normal rate of respiration

Answer 10

12-20 breaths per minutes

Question 11

Bradypnea

Answer 11

A rate below 12 is subnormal for an adult

Question 12

Tachypnea

Answer 12

Rate higher than 28 is accelerated (respirations)
Over 60 is extremely rapid and dangerous

Question 13

Systole phase

Normal?

Answer 13

Ventricular contraction

Less than 120 mm Hg

Question 14

Diastole phase

Normal?

Answer 14

Effect of ventricular relaxation

Normal is less than 80 mm Hg

Question 15

Sphygmomanometer

Answer 15

Pressure measuring device (manometer) and an inflatable cuff to wrap around the arm or under certain circumstances the leg

Question 16

3 kinds of sphygmomanometers

Answer 16

Mercury (best)
Aneroid
Electronic

Question 17

Mercury sphygmomanometer

Answer 17

Mercury can be health hazard if spilled but it is the most accurate and consistent than the other types

Question 18

Hypertension
Rate
Diseases it is associated with

Answer 18

High blood pressure. 1/3 in US affected and leading cause of death in USA.

Above 140/90

Associated with cardio vascular disease, stroke, kidney failure and premature death

Question 19

Factors that contribute to hypertension.

Answer 19

Smoking
Stress
Obesity
Alcohol
Drug use
Lifestyle