Critical Care Monitoring Flashcards
What are the three types of monitoring?
Physical hands-on monitoring
Clinical pathological monitoring
Device based monitoring
In an unstable patient, how often should parameters be recorded/taken?
Every 15 minutes until stable
In a stable patient, how often should parameters be recorded/taken?
Every 6-8 hours
What parameters should be recorded?
Pulse rate, quality & rhythm
MM colour & CRT
Palpebral reflex
Eye position
Mental status - alert, responsive, obtunded, comatose
Temperature
Pain scoring
Demeanour
Weight - every 12 hrs
Muscle movement
Input/output
Glasgow coma scale is used to assess what?
For a neurological assessment - the lower the number the more severe injury.
Why is measurement of urine volume & specific gravity important?
As they provide information about renal perfusion (functionality).
What does Partial Pressure of oxygen indicate?
PO2
Indicates how well the blood is being oxygenated.
What does the pH measure?
Measures the acidity or alkalinity of the blood.
What is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide indicate?
PCO2
Indicator of ventilation.
What is pulse oximetry used for?
For oxygen saturation.
Provides information on tissue oxygen delivery.
Where can the oximetry probe be placed on a patient?
Tongue
Over lip
Ear pinna
Metacarpus
Toe/interdigital web
Prepuce/vulva
Axilla/inguinal fold
What are the disadvantages of a pulse oximeter?
Readings may not be possible/accurate in some patients - artefact.
Readings can be affected by darker skin, vasoconstriction, hypothermia, hypoperfusion, tachycardia dry MM, hair, ambient light.
How often should the pulse ox probe be repositioned?
Every 5-10 minutes & dampen MM.
What does systolic BP mean?
The pressure put against the arteries generated by vascular contraction.
What does diastolic BP mean?
The minimum pressure maintained between contractions.
What does the mean BP mean?
The average pressure in the cardiac cycle.
What are two types of indirect/non-invasive ways of measuring BP?
Doppler and Oscillometric
What are two ways of direct/invasive ways of measuring BP?
Central venous and arterial.
What is the normal blood pressure for a dog?
Systolic = 100-160 mmHg
Diastolic = 55-110 mmHg
Mean BP = 70-127 mmHg
What is the normal blood pressure for a cat?
Systolic = 120-160 mmHg
Diastolic = 70-120 mmHg
Mean BP = 87-133 mmHg
What blood pressure readings would you have in a patient that is hypotensive?
80mmHg - systolic
Or
60mmHg - mean
What is the purpose of ECGs?
They display electrical activity of the heart - monitor heart rhythm.
What three things does a trace on a ECG show?
P wave atrial polarisation
QRS complex - ventricular depolarisation
T wave - atrial repolarisation
What two types of capnographs are there?
Mainstream and side stream
