Ch. 12: Vital Signs

Question 1

Includes

Answer 1

temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure

Question 2

Ability to obtain accurate

Answer 2

measurements is critical

Question 3

Often provide basis for

Answer 3

problem-solving

Question 4

Fifth vital sign

Answer 4

pain level or comfort level

Question 5

The nurse must be able to do the following

Answer 5

measure vital signs correctly, understand data and interpret values, communicate the findings appropriately

Question 6

Two types of body temperature

Answer 6

core and surface temperature

Question 7

Temperature measurements are obtained by several methods

Answer 7

heat-sensitive patches, electronic thermometers, tympanic thermometer, temporal artery method

Question 8

Sites for pulse measurement

Answer 8

temporal, facial, carotid, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis

Question 9

Auscultating the apical rate

Answer 9

is essential on all cardiac patients

Question 10

Apical pulse

Answer 10

the actual beating of the heart

Question 11

Radial pulse

Answer 11

measured in groove along radial side of forearm

Question 12

Pulse deficit

Answer 12

difference between the radial and apical rates

Question 13

Assessment of respiration

Answer 13

note the rate, depth, quality and rhythm

Question 14

Assessment of respirations is done by observing the movement of the

Answer 14

diaphragm and intercostal muscles

Question 15

Dyspnea

Answer 15

breathing with difficulty

Question 16

Hypertension

Answer 16

blood pressure elevated

Question 17

Hypotension

Answer 17

blood pressure below normal

Question 18

Systolic

Answer 18

the ventricles contracting, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary arteries

Question 19

Diastolic

Answer 19

pressure within the arteries beats when the blood enters the relaxed chambers

Question 20

Pulse pressure

Answer 20

difference between systolic and diastolic. Indication of cardiac function

Question 21

Cardiac output

Answer 21

the amount of blood discharged from heart per minute

Question 22

Hypertension

Answer 22

140/90

Question 23

Korotkoff sounds

Answer 23

listening to BP at brachial artery

Question 24

Normal limits

Answer 24

97 to 98.8
60 to 100 beats per minute
12 to 20 respirations
120/80 mm Hg

Question 25

Factors that affect vital signs

Answer 25

environment, age, stress, smoking, time of day, patient’s state of health, activity levels, stage of monthly menstrual cycle

Question 26

Height and weight

Answer 26

helps assess normal growth and development
aids in proper drug dosage calculation
may be used to assess the effectiveness of drug therapy, such as diuretics
significant loss of weight may be a sign of an underlying disease

Question 27

1 Liter of fluid

Answer 27

2.2 lbs

Question 28

What signs are assessed at the same time?

Answer 28

Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure

Question 29

Vital signs are assessed every

Answer 29

4 hours

Question 30

The more ill the patient

Answer 30

the more frequently vitals are taken

Question 31

Recording vital signs

Answer 31

graphic flow sheet

Question 32

R

Answer 32

indicates rectal temperature

Question 33

Ax

Answer 33

indicates an axillary temperature

Question 34

Ap

Answer 34

apical pulse