Chapter 12 Flashcards
Vital signs included ?
-temperature,pulse,respiration, and blood pressure
Vital signs is important ?
-ability to obtain accurate measurement is critical
-often provide the basis for people-solving
-many facilities are using fifth vital sign -pain leave or comfort level
The nurse must be able to do the following ?
-measure vital signs correctly
-understand and interpret the values
-communicate the finding appropriately
The body’s regulation of temperature ?
-a relative measure of sensible heat or cold
-the body strives to maintain a temperature 98.9 F (37 C) which normal
Two types of body temperature ?
-core temperature (temperature of the internal organs, such as the liver, located deep within the body)
Rectum
-surface temperature
Temperature measurements are obtained by several methods ?
-Heat-sensitive patches
-Electronic thermometers
-Tympanic thermometer
-Temporal artery method
The body’s regulation of pulse?
The pulse is the regular recurrent expansion and contraction of an artery produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the last ventricle of the heart as it contracts
Major pulses include ?
-temporal , facial, carotid , brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis
-the pulses provide both general and specific information
-Auscultating the apical rate (apex of the heart) is essential on all cardiac patients
Pulse Apical pulse is the actual beating of the heart?
When auscultating the apical rate, the “lub-dub” that heard represents one cardiac cycle, or heartbeat
Radial pulse?
is measured in groove along radial side of forearm , lateral to flexor tendon of wrist
Pulse deficit?
difference between the radial and apical rates
Respiration Assessment of respiration?
-when assessing respirations, note the rate, depth quality, and rhythm
-assessment of respirations is done by observing the movement of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles
Dyspnea ?
breathing with difficulty
Blood Pressure?
Pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the arterial walls , the veins, and the chambers of the heart
What the unit of blood pressure ?
Measured in millimeters of mercury ( mm Hg)
Systolic pressure/ diastolic pressure ?
-Pulse pressure
-Cardiac output
-Hypertension blood pressure elevated
- Hypotension blood pressure below normal
Normal Limits Temperature:
Pulse rate (adult):
Respiratory rate (adult):
Blood pressure (adult):
Normal Limits Temperature: 97to 98.8F (36.1to 37.5C)
Pulse rate (adult): 60 to 100 beats per minute
Respiratory rate (adult): 12 to 20 respirations per minute
Blood pressure (adult): 120/80 mm Hg
Factors that Affect Vital Signs?
-Environment
-Age -Stress -Smoking -Time of day -Patient’s state of health –Activity levels -Stage of monthly menstrual cycle
Height and Weight ?
-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
Obtaining weight measurement ?
-Patients should be weighed the same time of day, on the same scale , and in the same type or amount of clothing
-1 liter of fluid =1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds ]
-A significant loss or gain of weight can point to an underlying disease
Obtaining height measurements?
-Patient should remove shoes and stand erect
-A measuring stick or tape may be attached vertically to the weight scales or wall
-Standing scales may have a metal rod which is attached to the back of the scale and swings out over the top of the patient’s head
When Vital Signs Are Assessed ?
-Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure are usually assessed at the same time at set intervals
-A set of vital signs is taken when the patient is admitted to the facility, and then as prescribed by the health care provider or as policy dictates
-Example: every 4 hours, once a shift, weekly
-The more ill the patient, the more frequently vital signs are taken
Accuracy?
Be sure equipment used to measure vital signs (e.g., thermometer, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer) is in proper working condition to ensure accuracy of findings
Self- Measurement of Blood Pressure?
-Portable home devices
-Stationary automated machines
-Patient education
Recording Vital Signs (Graphic flow sheet) ?
-Used for charting vital signs
-“R” indicates a rectal temperature
“Ax” indicates an axillary temperature
-Blood pressures are always written with the systolic first and the diastolic beneath Example: 120/80 mmHg
-Apical pulse is indicated with an apnext to the number Example : 78 ap
When to Assess Vital Signs?
- During admission and discharge to a health care facility
-On a routine schedule as determined by health care provider’s order or agency policy
-Before and after surgical procedures Before and after invasive diagnostic procedures
-Before and after administering certain medications especially those that affect cardiovascular , respiratory and temperature control function
-When the patient’s general condition changes (loss of consciousness , hemorrhage , cardiac dysrhythmias , or the onset of intense pain)
-Before and after certain nursing interventions ( when a patient ambulates for the first time or after tracheal suctioning )
-When the patient reports nonspecific symptoms of physical distress (reports of “feeling funny “ or “different “)
-Routinely as part of a procedure ( e.g. , blood transfusion , liver biopsy , paracentesis , thoracentesis )
-When assessing a patient during home health visit
-Pain is considered the fifth vital sign .
-Pain must be evaluated and documented each time other vital signs are taken
-depth discussion of pain and the interventions available for pain control .
Look photo 1
Look photo 1
Look photo 2
Body temperature falls into two categories ?
-core temperature, which is the temperature of the deep tissues of the body
-core temperature remains relatively constant unless the environment
-surface temperature, which is the temperature of the skin.
-often varies a great deal in response to the environment
The terms pyrexia , febrile , and hyperthermia are used ?
describe the condition of having above -normal body temperature