Lecture: Vital Signs Flashcards
What is normal for temperature?
36-37 C or 96.8-98.6 F (according to lecture)
36-38 C or 96.8-100.4 F (according to text)
What is the normal range for pulse? What is average?
Normal = 60-100 bpm Average = 80 bpm
What is the normal range for respirations?
12-20 breaths/min
What is normal for BP?
<120/80 mm/Hg
What is normal for pulse oximetry?
95-100%
When should you monitor vital signs?
Admission to a healthcare agency, based on institutional policy (qs, q4), any time there is a change in the patient’s condition, before and after procedures, activities and medications that may affect vital signs
How should you check a patient’s pulse if they are on the medication digoxin?
Listen to the AP for a full minute
What is the primary source of heat production?
Metabolism
What increases metabolism?
Hormones, muscle movements, exercise
How is heat lost?
Through skin, sweat, warming and humidyfing inspired air, urine, feces
What are the four methods of transferring heat?
Radiation, convection, evaporation, conduction
Define convection in terms of transferring heat.
The transfer of heat away by air movement
Define radiation in terms of transferring heat.
The transfer of heat from one object to another without direct contact
Define evaporation in terms of transferring heat.
The transfer of heat when liquid is changed to gas
Define conduction in terms of transferring heat.
The transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact
What does it mean to become afebrile?
Fever has broken
What are the four most accurate methods of measuring body temperature?
Tympanic membrane (TM), Oral (O), Rectal (R), Axillary (AX)
When can you never take a rectal temperature?
When the patient is neutropenic. Also not for patients with diarrhea, rectal disorders, bleeding tendencies or those who had rectal surgery.
Which feature of the heart controls the pulse?
The sinoatrial (SA) node
What controls breathing and how is it activated?
The medulla controls breathing, which is activated by impulses from chemoreceptors.
What is the most powerful respiratory stimulant?
CO2
What is cheyne-stokes?
Deep irregular breaths with periods of apnea, usually right before someone dies
How is apnea treated?
With a c-pap, which maintains pressure in airways to keep them open. Allows those with sleep apnea to get a deeper sleep.
What specific population has a high rate of hypertension and generally does not respond to beta blockers?
African American men
