CH2 Vital signs Flashcards

1
Q

Vital signs contain: __________

A

Body temperature (T, Temp; degree Celsius, ˚C)
Pulse rate (P or PR; beats per min., bpm)
Respiration rate (R or RR; breaths per min, bpm)
Blood pressure (BP; milliliters mercury, mmHg)
Pulse oximetry (SaO2/ SpO2; percent, %)
Pain: 5th vital signs (Subjective data)

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2
Q

Time to perform vital signs assessment: ____________

A
  1. Doctor’s prescription (eg. Daily/ QD/ BD/ TDS/ QID/ Q4H),
  2. At least every 4 hours or even more frequent for patients when:
    Elevated temperature >37.5˚C (Re-check temperature every 4 hours until fever subsided, and QD 72hrs no fever),
    Changes in physical conditions (eg. Abnormal pulse rate/ respiratory rate too fast / too slow , abnormal blood pressure too high / too low),
    Respiratory difficulty (airway & breathing problems),
    Cardiac related discomfort
  3. On admission
  4. Assess patients during home care visit or out-patient care setting visit
  5. Before, during and after any procedures/ operations/ nursing interventions, eg. Passive movements on bed, surgery, abdominal tapping成肚水 …
  6. Before, during and after the administration of medications or application of therapies that affect cardiovascular, respiratory, or temperature-control functions
  7. Client reports specific symptoms of physical distress
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3
Q

Frequency to monitor vital signs: 1 time per day = _______

A

Daily, QD

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4
Q

Frequency to monitor vital signs: 2 times per day = _______

A

BD

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5
Q

Frequency to monitor vital signs: 3 times per day = _______

A

TDS, TID

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6
Q

Frequency to monitor vital signs: 4 times per day = _______

A

QID

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7
Q

Frequency to monitor vital signs: every ? Hour(s) = _______

A

Q?H

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8
Q

QD = ?

A

1 time per day

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9
Q

BD = ?

A

2 times per day

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10
Q

TDS, TID = ?

A

3 times per day

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11
Q

QID = ?

A

4 times per day

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12
Q

Q?H = ____

A

Every ? Hour(s)

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13
Q

Factors of thermoregulation - heat production includes ______

A
  1. Basal metabolic rate (BMR): Rate of energy utilization to maintain essential activities, decrease with age
  2. Muscle activity, Eg. Exercise, shivering; increase the BMR and heat production
  3. Thyroxine output; Increase thyroxine output increases BMR
  4. Epinephrine, nonepinephrine, and sympathetic stimulation/ stress response; immediately increase BMR
  5. Fever
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14
Q

Factors of thermoregulation - heat loss includes ______

A
  1. Radiation
    ◦ Infrared rays
    ◦ Transfer heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without contact between two
    objects
  2. Conduction
    ◦ Transfer heat from high temperature to low temperature by the contact of objects
  3. Convection
    ◦ Dispersion of heat by air currents
  4. Evaporation
    ◦ Continuous vaporization of moisture from respiratory tract, oral mucosa, and skin
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15
Q

List factors that you can change to reduce patient’s body temperature

A

Exercises (ask the patient to sit down for 15 minutes), Environment (turn on the air-conditioner or turn up the AC), Diseases, e.g. Infection -> fever (give antibiotic as prescribed for infectious disease) 打針比panadol effective

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16
Q

Factors affecting body temperature

A

-Age (basal metabolic rate)
-Diurnal variations (~1˚C morning to late afternoon)
-Hot/ cold drink (affects oral temperature)
-Exercises (increase metabolic rate)
-Hormones (e.g. Increase temperature during ovulation, thyroid disorders)
-Stress (due to hormonal changes)
-Environment (too hot/ too cold)
-Diseases, eg. Infection–> fever

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17
Q

Which body sites can measure core temperature?

A

Tympanic membrane, rectum, (temporal artery), (esophagus), (pulmonary artery), (urine bladder)

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18
Q

Which body sites can measure surface temperature?

A

Oral cavity, axilla, skin

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19
Q

Body temperature readings measured at tympanic is _____

A

37.5˚C (99.5˚F)

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20
Q

Body temperature readings measured at rectal is _____

A

37.5˚C (99.5˚F)

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21
Q

Body temperature readings measured at oral is _____

A

37.0˚C (98.6˚F)

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22
Q

Body temperature readings measured at axillary is _____

A

36.5˚C (97.7˚F)

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23
Q

Body temperature readings measured at forehead (skin) is _____

A

34.4˚C (94˚F)

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24
Q

How to measure tympanic temperature?

A

Straighten ear canal for measurement
◦ Adult: pull pinna upward & backward
◦ Child (< 3 years old): pull pinna downward & backward

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25
Q

State the advantages of taking tympanic temperature

A

Easily accessible site (available when the patient is sleeping), Provides accurate core reading because eardrum is close to
hypothalamus and sensitive to care temperature changes

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26
Q

State the limitation of taking tympanic temperature

A

Not used with patients who have had surgery of the ear or
tympanic membrane (should have no lesion)

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27
Q

Position for patient taking rectal temperature: ______

A

side-lying with one leg flexed

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28
Q

Procedures of taking rectal temperature: ________

A

Provide privacy
wear disposable gloves
Cover probe with disposable sheath
Lubricate & insert 1-1.5 inch into rectum; hold in place for 3 mins/ until “beep” sound
Remove disposable cover–> check the reading
(Never force insertion if resistance is felt)

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29
Q

State the limitation of taking rectal temperature

A

Requires lubrication

30
Q

Procedures of taking oral temperature: ________

A

Use a disposable sheath to cover the thermometer before use
Put under tongue (at left or right posterior sublingual pocket)
Hold it (not talk) for > 3 mins / until “beep” sounds

31
Q

State the limitation of taking oral temperature

A

Not used with infants; small children; or
confused, unconscious or uncooperative
patients

32
Q

Procedures of taking axillary temperature: ________

A

Dry the axilla if it is moist
Cover probe with disposable sheath
Place the thermometer at the center of the axilla
Ask client/ you hold it in place > 3 mins

33
Q

State the advantages of taking axillary temperature

A

Used with newborns and unconscious patients

34
Q

State the limitation of taking skin temperature

A

Affected by environmental temperature

35
Q

State the limitation of taking temporal artery temperature

A

Inaccurate with head covering or hair on
forehead
Affected by skin moisture such as diaphoresis
or sweating

36
Q

Normal range of body temperature: _______

A

36˚C to 37.5˚C ( 96.8˚F to 99.5˚F)

37
Q

Assessment for tympanic temperature measurement:

A
  1. Determine need to measure patient’s body temperature e.g.
    ◦ White blood cell count
    ◦ Expected or diagnosed infection
    ◦ Hypothermia or hyperthermia therapy
    ◦ Blood product infusion
    // (◦ Open wounds or burns
    ◦ Immunosuppressive drug therapy
    ◦ Exposure to temperature extremes
    ◦ Postoperative status ) //
  2. Assess any contraindication to temperature measurement (Ear injury/ recent ear surgery)
  3. Identify physician’s prescription if any
  4. Assess for factors that normally influence temperature
  5. Assess patient’s knowledge, understanding and ability to cooperate during the procedure
    // (6. Assess signs and symptoms that accompany temperature alteration:
    ◦Hyperthermia: decreased skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, decreased venous filling, concentrated urine
    ◦ Heatstroke: hot, dry skin, tachycardia, hypotension, excessive thirst, muscle cramps, visual disturbances, confusion or delirium
    ◦ Hypothermia: Pale skin, skin cool or cold to touch, bradycardia and dysrhythmias, uncontrollable shivering, reduced level of consciousness, shallow respirations ) //
    // (7. Determine appropriate measurement and device for patient)
    // (8. Determine previous baseline temperature and measurement site from patient’s record) //
38
Q

Planning for tympanic temperature measurement:

A

Prepare equipment:
Tympanic thermometer
Disposable probe cover
Rubbish bag / kidney dish
Alcohol swabs
+/- disposable gloves for precaution
* Disinfect all equipment and check the function of the equipment before approaching patient

Prepare client:
Explain the procedure to patient to gain the cooperation

39
Q

Tympanic temperature measurement:
Pull ear pinna ______ for an adult; Pull pinna ________ for children < __ years old

A

backward up, down and back, 3

40
Q

Assist patient to comfortable position that provides easy access to temperature measurement site
◦ Sitting: head turned toward side, away from you
◦ Lying: measure the _____ ear

A

upper

41
Q

For abnormal readings in tympanic temperature measurement,
◦ Repeat measurement in other ear; and/ or
◦ Repeat the measurement in same ear after __ minutes

A

2

42
Q

Term to describe no fever:

A

Afebrile

43
Q

Term to describe fever/hyperthermia:

A

febrile (37.6°C - 40.9°C)

44
Q

Term to describe very high fever (> 41°C)

A

Hyperpyrexia

45
Q

Stages of fever:

A

Onset (chill phase)
Stationary (fever phase)
Resolution (flush phase)

46
Q

Signs & Symptoms in chill phase:

A

Increased pulse & respiratory rate
Shivering
Feeling cold
Pallor, cold skin

47
Q

Pay attention to ________________ and give ______.when the patient is at chill phase of having fever

A

avoid taking a shower,
blanket

48
Q

Signs & Symptoms in fever phase

A

Absence of chills
Skin that feels warm
Thirst/ mild dehydration
Malaise/ Fatigue/ weakness
Aches and pains (eg. Headache)
Loss of appetite
Drowsiness, restlessness or convulsions

49
Q

Can the patient take a shower/bed bath in fever phase?

A

Yes

50
Q

Signs & symptoms in resolution phase

A

Sweating
Decreased shivering

51
Q

Nursing management/ interventions of client with fever:

  1. Continuous monitoring:
    ◦ Monitor temperature & vital signs regularly. Eg. Q4H
    ◦ ______________
    ◦ Monitor intake and output
  2. Collaborative care:
    ◦ Work with doctor for investigation tests, eg. Collect specimens (mid-stream urine, sputum); septic
    workup (mid-stream urine MSU for culture, sputum for culture, blood taking CBC, LRFT, clotting, blood
    culture, chest X-ray)
    ◦ Administration of medications as prescribed, eg. Antipyretics (panadol), antibiotics
    ◦ Initiate intravenous infusion if indicated
  3. Promote comfort for client with fever:
    Sufficient hydration & nutrition
    ◦ __________
    ◦ Encourage oral intake
    ◦ Keep mucus membrane moist , lubricate dry lips
    ◦ _____________
    Promote heat loss
    ◦ ____________________
    ◦ Promote sleep & rest
    ◦ Advise client to reduce activities
A

Assess skin color & temperature,

Encourage fluid intake if tolerated (2000-3000ml/ day),
Infusion IV fluid for promoting hydration if needed (for patient cannot drink),

Apply cold pad to client’s forehead, neck & armpits

52
Q

Methods to reduce body temperature:

Reduce heat production:
Decrease physical activities
Treat the causes
Provide medications

Increase heat loss:
Decrease environmental temperature
Remove excessive clothes/ blankets
Decrease humidity
Cool drink
Cool compress
Cold pads
__________

A

Tepid sponging/ Tepid bath

53
Q

Tepid sponging bath:

Lower body temperature for client with high fever, eg. 39’C or above
Wipe body with wet cloth or sponge using tepid water (lukewarm water ~____‘C)
Do NOT be applied during ____
Do NOT use _____ (prevent chilling)
Assess patient’s body temperature before & 15 mins. after the procedure

A

30-37 (not room temperature),
the chill stage,
cold water

54
Q

Hypothermia:
Sustained reduction of core body temperature (< ___‘C)

A

35

55
Q

Signs & symptoms of hypothermia:

A

◦ Decreased body temperature, pulse & respirations
◦ Severe shivering (initially)
◦ Feelings of cold & chills
◦ Pale, cool skin (cannot measure the SPO2)
◦ Hypotension
◦ Decreased urinary output
◦ Confusion
◦ Drowsiness–> coma

56
Q

Methods to increase body temperature:

A

Increase temperature of environment
Decrease ventilation
Warm & dry clothes/ blankets/ socks
Cover scalp
Keep limbs close to body

57
Q

Nursing management/ interventions of hypothermia:

1.1 Passive re-warming (mild hypothermia):
Remove cold/ wet clothes, dry body
Cover client’s head with cloth & wear socks
Provide blankets

1.2 Active re-warming (moderate to severe hypothermia):
Apply warm pads over central areas: _______
Provide warm blanket, eg. Space blanket, Bair hugger
Use warmer

**Check ________ for ALL heat application

  1. Monitor patient’s condition
    ◦ Assess vital signs hourly to Q4H
    ◦ Observe skin color & condition
    ◦ Assess sensation & movement of extremities
    ◦ Measure urine output hourly to Q4H if indicated (~__ml/hr)
A

neck, armpits & groins
,skin every 10 minutes for any redness & discomfort

30

58
Q

Pulse:
A wave of blood created by contraction of heart muscles

Healthy person: Pulse rate (PR) = heart rate (HR)
Persons with some cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
◦ Heart may produce weak/ very weak pulse waves
◦ PR is not equal to HR
◦ That’s why measure the ____ rate

A

apical

59
Q

Radial pulse

Position: radial artery over the radius
◦ On the ____, under your _____
Most commonly used to measure pulse rate in adults

A

wrist, thumb

60
Q

Carotid pulse

Position: carotid artery
◦ Between ______, sides of the ____
Used during cardiac arrest/ shock in adults
To determine circulation to the brain

Do not press both carotid at the same time!
–> reflex drop in blood pressure or pulse rate

A

trachea & sternocleidomastoid muscle, neck

61
Q

Apical pulse

Position: apex of the heart
◦ Older adults: sometimes further left with an enlarged heart
◦ Normal adult & child > 7 years old :
◦ Intersection of ______ line (Left MCL) , ____ intercostal space (ICS)
Detect differences with radial pulse
Auscultation using _____
For monitoring
◦ eg. Digoxin

A

left mid-clavicular, 5th,

stethoscope

62
Q

Femoral pulse

Position : femoral artery
◦ Passes along the ____ ligament
Use in cases of cardiac arrest/ shock
Determine circulation to a leg

A

inguinal

63
Q

Popliteal pulse

Position: popliteal artery
◦ _________
Determine circulation to the lower leg

A

Behind the knee

64
Q

Temporal pulse

Position: temporal artery
◦ Over the temporal bone at side of ____
Use when other pulse is not accessible

A

the head

65
Q

Posterior tibial pulse

Position: posterior tibial artery
◦ At medial surface of the ____; behind the medial malleolus
Determine circulation to the foot

A

ankle

66
Q

Dorsalis pedis pulse

Position: dorsal pedis artery
◦ Over the space between _____ OR
◦ Space between second & third toes
Determine circulation to the foot

A

big & second toes

67
Q

Pulse rate
◦ Normal range (adult) : _____

A

60-100 bpm

68
Q

______: heart rate faster than normal (over 100 bpm)
______: heart rate of less than 60 bpm (confirm with apical rate instead of radial pulse)

A

Tachycardia, Bradycardia

69
Q

Pulse rhythm: ____________

A

regular/ irregular (Dysrhythmia/ arrhythmia–> irregular heartbeat)

70
Q

Pulse volume

A

◦ Strength of pulse
◦ From absent to bounding

Grade 0: No pulse
Grade 1+: A faint, but detectable pulse
Grade 2+: A slightly more diminished pulse than normal
Grade 3+: Normal pulse
Grade 4+: Bounding pulse