CH # 19: Vital Signs Flashcards by Mary Best

Temperature range of 97F - 99 F however the younger the age= the higher the normal temp, infants can b as high as 100*F

Normal body temperature range

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Sound caused by the heart contracting

Rate is obtained by counting beats per min (Bpm)

10 Sites: radial, apical, brachial, ulnar, temporal, carotid, femoral,
popliteal, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis

Pulse

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Can effect frequency: age (inverse of age)
gender (women slightly +)
physical activity (causes temporary +)
emotional state (strong states cause
temporary +)
metabolism (+)
fever (+)
medication (alters both + and -)

Pulse affecting factors

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A pulse site on the thumb side of the wrist

Radial

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A pulse site that is over the heart and so its the strongest beat site

Go 2 site 4 infants - 3 years old children

Always use a stethoscope: place over apex of heart
go 2 left side of the 5th intercostal
along midclavicular line

Apical

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A pulse site located in the inner crease of the elbow

Used 2 obtain BP, measure site 4 infants during cardiac arrest,
acess circulation state of left arm

Brachial

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A pulse site located on the little finger side of the wrist

Used 2 access circulation state of the right hand

Ulnar

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A pulse site located in front of the ear and just above eye level

Use when radial pulse is inaccessible or 4 children

Temporal

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A pulse site located on the anterior side of the neck, slightly 2 one side of the midline

Best way 2 find pulse quickly and during cardiac arrest

Carotid

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A pulse site located in the midline of the groin

Use 2 find pulse during cardiac arrest

Used 2 access the circulation status of the lower leg

Femoral

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A pulse site located in the back of the knee bend

When finding keep knee slightly flexed

Used 2 measure BP when brachial location is unaccessible or 2 access the circulation status of the lower leg

Popliteal

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A pulse site located on the inner aspect of the ankle just posterior 2 the ankle bone

Used 2 access circulation status of the foot

Posterior tibial

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A pulse site located on the upper surface of the foot between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones

Use 2 access the circulation status of the foot

Dorsalis pedis

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Abnormally fast heart rate of 100+ Bpm ; if over verify at apical pulse site

May indicate disease states such as hemorrhaging or heart disease

Tachycardia

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Abnormally slow heart rate of under 60 Bpm ; if under verify at apical pulse site

May occur normally during sleep

Bradycardia

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Divided in2 2 phases: inhalation and exhalation

Exchanges oxygen and carbon-dioxide between the alveolus of the lungs (thin walled sacs)

A type of rate than can b affected by:
Age: age and rate r inverse
Physical activity: temporally +
Emotional state: strong states cause temporally +
Fever: +
Medication: both + or -

Respiration rates

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Abnormal + in rate and depth of rpm’s

Exhibits very deep, rapid and labored rpm

Occurs when oxygen is inadequate

Hyperpnea

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Abnormal fast and deep breathing

Associated w/acute anxiety

“Overbreathing” causes dizziness and weakness

Hyperventilation

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Abnormal decrease in rate and depth

Depth is 1/2 of normal breath

Occurs w/sleep disorders

Hypopnea

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Reduction of oxygen supply 2 tissues

Causes cyanosis (bluish discoloration)

Hypoxia

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Temporary absence of breathing

Apnea

“Sleep apnea”

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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Occurs normally during physical exertion

Dyspnea

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A device 2 measure and display the oxygen saturation of the blood

Painless and noninvasive procedure used 2 measure the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin in the arterial blood

Normal: 95% - 99%
>95% : not enough oxygen reaching body tissues
85% - 90% : respiratory failure
75% : cyanosis appears
>70% : life threatening

Pulse oximeter

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Measurement of the pressure or force excreted by the blood on the walls of the arteries

Blood pressure

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The point of maximum pressure on the arterial walls Upper # in BP fraction

Systolic pressure

The point of lesser pressure on the arterial wall Lower # in BP fraction

Diastolic pressure

Abnormally high BP Results from excessive pressure on the walls of the ateries Systolic BP 140+ mmHg

Hypertension

Abnormally low BP Results from reduced pressure on the arterial walls BP > 95/60 mm Hg Affecting factors: age; + w/age gender; after puberty women have lower BP after menopause women have higher BP diurnal; fluctuation during the coarse of the day emotional states; strong states increase BP exercise; temporary + body position; causes both + and - If other than sitting note in records

Hypotension

The tapping sound when measuring BP w/a stethoscope

Korotkoff sounds

Abnormal breath sounds

Adventitious sounds

W/out fever: the body temperature is normal

Afebrile

A thin-walled air sac of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place

Alveolus

The space located at the front of the elbow

Antecubital space

An agent that reduces fever

Antipyretic

The major trunk of the arterial system of the body It arises from the upper surface of the left ventricle

Aorta

The name for the area of the armpit

Axilla

A pulse w/a increased volume that feels very strong and full

Bounding pulse

An abnormal decrease in the respiratory rate Anything less that 10 rpm

Bradypnea

A tempature scale in which the freezing point of water is 100 degrees

Celsius

The transfer of energy from 1 object 2 another by direct contact; heat can b transferred from the body 2 a cooler object it touches

Conduction

The transfer of energy through air currents; cool air currents can cause the body 2 lose heat

Convection

A sudden falling of an elevated body temperature 2 normal

Crisis

The bluish discoloration of the skin and mucus membranes

Cyanosis

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions

Diastole

2 names 4 an irregular rythem

Dysrhythmia Arrhythmia

Normal respiration that is even and regular and the depth is normal Rpm of 16-20

Eupnea

The act of breathing out

Exhalation

A temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point of water is 212 degrees

Fahrenheit

Pertaining 2 fever

Febrile

A body temperature that is above normal

Fever

The midline fold that connects the undersurface of the tongue w/the floor of the mouth

Frenulum

An extremely high fever that is generally fatal A temperature of greater that 109.4*F

Hyperpyrexia

An abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration

Hypopnea

A body temperature that is below normal Temperatures below 97*F

Hypothermia

A decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood May lead 2 hypoxia

Hypoxemia

The act of breathing in

Inhalation

The name 4 the area between the ribs

Intercostal

A vague sense of body discomfort, weakness and fatigue that often marks that usually marks the onset of a disease and continues through the corse of the illness

Malaise

An instrument 4 measuring pressure

Manometer

The curved surface on a column of liquid in a tube

Meniscus

The condition in which breathing is easier when an individual is a sitting or standing position

Orthopnea

The use of a pulse oximeter measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood

Pulse oximetry

The difference between the systolic and diastolic number pressures (systolic # - diastolic #)

Pulse pressure

The time interval between heartbeats

Pulse rhythm

The strength of the heartbeat

Pulse volume

The transfer of energy in the form of waves; body heat is continually putting out heat waves in2 cooler surroundings

Radiation

The abbreviation of the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated w/oxygen in arterial blood

SaO2 | Saturation of arterial oxygen

An instrument 4 measuring arterial blood pressure

Sphygmomanometer

The abbreviation 4 the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated w/oxygen in arterial blood as measured by a pulse oximeter

SpO2 | Saturation of peripheral oxygen

An instrument used 4 amplifying and hearing sounds produced by the body

Stethoscope

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract sending blood out of the heart and in2 the aorta and pulmonary trunk

Systole

An abnormal increase in the respiratory rate of more then 20 rpm

Tachypnea

Temperature range of 99*F - 100.4*F

Fever/pyrexia

Name 4 when the body temperature 1st begins 2 increase during fever

Onset

A body temperature site that is the most convenient and mostly used site If there isn't a notation in the records of where the body temp was taken, u assume that it was taken at this site

Oral

A body temperature site that is taken in the armpit This is the most recommended site 4 toddlers and preschoolers This site should b used 4 mouth breathing patients and those who have mouth inflammation due 2 oral surgery

Axillary

A body temperature site that is the most accurate because few factors can alter the results Temperature is 1*F above oral temp Mainly used 4 infants(EXCEPT newborns), young children, unconscious patients and mouth breathing patients

Rectal

A body temperature site that is taken in the ear using the tympanic membrane thermometer that gives instantaneous results The most comfortable site 4 patients This site should b used 4 those under 6 years old, uncooperative patients and 4 patients that r unable 2 have their temp taken orally

Aural

A body temperature site that is taken on the forehead and down the neck Measures 1*F lower than oral This site can b used 4 all ages

Temporal

This type of bpm assessment is taken at 2 locations at the same time 4 a full minute; locations r over the heart and on the thumb side of the wrist This method is used 2 determine whether a pulse deficit is present

Apical-radial pulse

Name 4 when the apical pulse rate is different than the radial pulse rate The bpm at both locations r done at the same time This indicates an inefficient contraction of a heart that is not strong enough 2 transmit a pulse wave 2 the peripheral pulse site

Pulse deficit

An adjective used 2 describe a fast heart rate A pulse w/a decreased volume that feels weak and thin

Thready pulse

An adjective used 2 describe a pulse that is extremely strong and full

Bounding pulse