CHAPTER 4 GEN INSPECTION/MEASUREMENT OF VITAL SIGNS Flashcards
When does general inspection begin?
the moment nurse meets patient
True or false? Assessing presence of pain is considered standard
baseline data collected for all patients and
included with assessment of vital signs.
true
body temp is regulated by the ___
hypothalamus
how does the body generate heat?
heat is gained through the processes of metabolism and exercise
how is heat lost?
radiation, convection, evaporation, conduction
What are expected temperature ranges in celsius?
35.8-37.3
True or false? 35.8-37.3 C is the body temperature at which cellular metabolism is most efficient
true
True or false? emperature during menstrual cycle increases
from 0.5° F to 1.0° F (0.3° C to 0.6° C) at
ovulation and remains elevated until menses
cease because of progesterone secretion
true
Diurnal variations of _ F to _ F occur, with the
lowest temperature in the _____ and highest in the
late _____.
1, 1.5, morning, afternoon
a patient has just ingested hot or cold liquids or was smoking. how long should we wait to take their temperature orally?
10 minutes
how is oral temperature taken?
Electronic thermometer (sheathed): under
tongue in sublingual pocket for 15 to 30
seconds
true or false? the sublingual pocket receives blood supply from carotid artery, indirectly reflecting core temperature.
true.
in which populations are oral temps most often taken?
school-aged children, confused adults
how are tympanic temperatures taken?
Probe covered with protective sheath, placed in
external ear canal in contact with all sides of canal
for 2 to 3 seconds
true or false? axillary temperature measurement is very accurate.
false. axiallary temperatures have questionable accuracy.
heart rate vs rhythm
heart rate = number of times per minute a pulsation is felt
rhythm = regularity of pulsations
If pulse rhythm is irregular, note any odd rhythm, and
count pulsations for how long?
a full minute. basically do it again
Radial artery is most frequently used to measure
heart rate because
accessible and easily
palpated
where is the radial pulse found?
radial side of forearm at wrist
where is the brachial pulse found?
groove between biceps and triceps, in bend of elbow
where is the carotid pulse found?
the medial edge of sternocleidomastoid muscle in lower third of neck
heart rate is sometimes assessed by auscultating heart, which is known as ___
apical pulse
where is the apical pulse found
located over the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
true or false? men usually breathe diaphragmatically, whereas women are usually thoracic breathers
true.
why should we count respirations when patients are unaware?
to prevent them from getting nervous and changing their breathing patterns