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CATA 262 > LECTURE: VITAL SIGNS > Flashcards

LECTURE: VITAL SIGNS Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 main vital signs

A

BP
Pulse
Respiration rate
pulse ox

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2
Q

What are some of the other diagnostic signs?

A 
SKIN TEMPERATURE AND CONDITION • 
PUPILLARY REACTION
• CAPILLARY REFILL
• LOC
• ABILITY TO MOVE (PMSC)
• REACTION TO PAIN (PMSC)
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3
Q

When should vital signs be taken initially

when should vital signs be taken after the secondary ?

A

Initially: if medical condition
Secondary: if trauma

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4
Q

What is blood pressure and what is it necessary for>

A

BP is the pressure of circulating blood against artery walls

necessary for proper circulation and perfusion

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5
Q

What are the parts of a sphygomomanometer?

A 
cuff 
bladder
tubing
valve 
bulb
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6
Q

What are the parts of a stethescope?

A

HEADSET
Earpieces
ear tube
tubing

CHEST PIECE
stem
bell
diaphrahm

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7
Q

Where do the earpeices have to be facing?

A

FORWARD / away from you

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8
Q

What are the korotkoff sounds

A 
phse 1: sharp thud
phase 2: blowing/swishing sound
3) thumping 
4) Softer sound that dissapears
5) silence
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9
Q

Explain Hypotension and the possible explanations for it

A

Decreased BP Below90/60mmofHg

Loss of blood or tissue fluid
Loss of arterial constriction
Cardiac problem
Adissons disease (serious adrenal gland disorder)
Hypothyroidism
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10
Q

Explain hypertension and possible explanations for it

A

Increased BP

Arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis
From head injuries

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11
Q

How does the body compensate for low BP

A

Heart rate increases
Arteries constrict
less Blood flow to extremities, greater Blood flow to organs

Treat for shock

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12
Q

What are the normal values for BP

A

Adult: 90 - 140 mm Hg (Systolic) 120
60 - 90 mm Hg (Diastolic) 80

Critically low systolic BP…
Male adult/Adolescent: < 90 mm Hg F
emale adult/Adolescent: < 80 mm Hg
Children: < 70 mm Hg = Critical Hypotension

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13
Q

What are the normal carotid pulse values

A
  • Adults: 60 - 100 beats per minute (bpm)
  • Children 60 – 90 bpm (10 – 15yrs)
  • Children: 80 - 100 bpm (5 – 10 yrs)
  • Children: 80 - 120 bpm (1 – 8 yrs) (CRC)
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14
Q

Define tachycardia and bradycardia

and define the normal and irregular characters of pulse

A

At rest

tachy: HR above 100
brady: HR below 60

Normal character: bounding strong
Irregular: weak or thready, premature or late beat

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15
Q

What are the normal respiration values

A

adult: 12-20
child 15-30
infant 30-40

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16
Q

What does stridor mean ?

A

Stridor = high-pitched sound

17
Q

What is sputum a sign of? what is pink/white froth a sign of?

A

Sputum = Advanced respiratory infection
Pink/white froth = chest injury or congestive heart
failure

18
Q

What is pulse oximetry and when should you give oxygen?

A

measurement of oxygen saturation of functional hemoglobin of the blood using an pulse oximeter.
When pulse ox is lower than 92%

19
Q

Where can you see color change in deeply pigmented skin?

A
  • fingernail beds
  • mucous membrane of mouth
  • lips
  • underarm (axilla)
  • palm
20
Q

What can the different skin temperatures indicate?

A

Hot: Fever, sunburn, hyperthermia

Normal: Warm and dry, Normal core temp 37 oC / 98.6 oF

Cool: Post exci sweating, early shock, heat exhaustion

Cold: Profound shock, frostbite, hypothermia

21
Q

How long should you hold the rectal thermometer for accurate reading>

22
Q

What is the purpose of capilary refil? and what is the time it should take?

A

Reflects perfusion, Circulation assessment

No longer than 2 sec.

23
Q

When is delayed cap refil normal>

A

In elderly and when you are cold

24
Q

What does pupil diameter reflect?

A

Status of the brain

PERFUSION, OXYGINATION, CONDITION

25
Q

What does PEARRLA stand for?

A 
PUPILS
EQUAL
ROUND
REACTIVE TO LIGHT
ACCOMODATION
26
Q

What are you checking in an external eye exam?

A

Extraocular Muscle Function

  • Check eye movement through the 6 cardinal directions of gaze.
  • Watch for parallel movement
  • Nystagmus (involuntary rapid rhythmic movement)
27
Q

What is considered a normal vs abormal eye reaction

A

Normal: When a light is shone in one eye, both eyes (pupils) should constrict

Abnomral: do not constrict, A sign of depressed brain function

28
Q

What are some examples of depressed brain function>

A
  • Injury to brain or brain stem
  • Trauma or stroke
  • Brain tumour
  • Decreased oxygen/perfusion
  • Drugs or toxins
29
Q

WHat are some abnomral signs to look for when checking pupils?

A
  • Fixed, no reaction
  • Dilate with light, constrict when removed
  • Slow reaction
  • Unequal sizes
  • Unequal in size with light influence

CATA 262 (17 decks)

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