Lesson 1 (FINALS) Flashcards
Vital signs also called as…
Cardinal Signs
Measurements of the body’s most basic functions
Vital Signs
Enumerate the four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers
- Body temperature
- Pulse rate
- Respiration rate
- Blood pressure
This is not considered a vital sign but is often measured along with the vital signs
Blood Pressure
Rate of breathing
Respiration Rate
Useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems
Vital Signs
It can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere
Vital Signs
This is not required for vital signs to be measured
Physician’s Order
Body temperature is controlled by a small structure in the basal region of the diencephalon of the brain called the…
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus also referred to as…
Body’s Thermostat
When body’s metabolism increases…
More heat is produced
A patient whose body temperature is elevated above normal limits is said to have a…
Fever or Pyrexia
The normal body temperature remains almost constant; however, a variation of _____ to _____ above or below the average is within normal limits.
0.5º to 1º
It is rare for a person to survive with a body temperature between _____ and _____ or below _____.
105.8º F (41ºC) and 111.2º F (44ºC) or below 93.2ºF (34ºC).
Five areas of the body in which temperature is usually measured
- The oral site
- The tympanic site
- The rectal site
- The axillary site
- The skin
Is taken by mouth under the tongue
Oral Temperature
The average oral temperature is…
98.6 (37ºC)
Is taken in the axilla or armpit.
Axillary Temperature
The average axillary temperature is…
97.6º to 98 º F (36.4 ºC to 36.7 ºC)
Is taken at the anal opening to the rectum.
Rectal Temperature
The average rectal temperature is…
99.6 ºF (37.5 ºC)
Is taken inside the ear.
Tympanic Temperature
An ear (tympanic) temperature is _____ higher than an oral temperature.
0.3°C (0.5°F) to 0.6°C (1°F)
Also called as an aural thermometer.
Tympanic Membrane Thermometer
Is a small, hand-held device that measures the temperature of the blood vessels in the tympanic membrane of the ear.
Tympanic Membrane Thermometer/Aural Thermometer
In oral temperature, the probe is _____ and held in place until the instrument signals that is has registered temperature.
Under the tongue
Safest method of measuring body temperature because it is non-invasive.
Axillary Thermometer
Considered to provide the most reliable measurement of the body temperature because factors that can alter the results are minimized.
Rectal Thermometer
Normally is taken only on infant patients and not in adults.
Rectal Temperature
For rectal temperature, use a thermometer with a…
Blunt tip
Never use an _____ to take a rectal temperature.
Oral Thermometer
Probe covers are often colored _____ for rectal temperature.
Red
It is place on the abdomen or forehead of infants or children to measure temperature.
Temperature-Sensitive Patches
A newer method obtaining a temperature is done by _____ the forehead and the back of the ear with a probe.
They are quick and reliable method for obtaining a baseline temperature.
Scanning
Normal body temperature for adult in °F
97.8 to 99°F
Normal body temperature for child (5 to 13 years) in °F
97.8 to 98.6°F
Normal body temperature for infant (3 months to 3 years) in °F
99 to 99.7°F