Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Section 1: PCT Certification > Lesson 6: Assisting with the Physical Exam and Vital Signs > Flashcards

Lesson 6: Assisting with the Physical Exam and Vital Signs Flashcards

1
Q

What are the vital signs?

A

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, and Blood Pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How does the physician assess the general health state of the patient?

A

By comparing the patient’s vital signs to normal values and from previous visits

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Body heat

A

A measure of heat produced or lost during the chemical reactions of the body including metabolism , respiration, and elimination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which body systems help in regulating body temperature?

A
  1. Endocrine
  2. Digestive
  3. Cardiovascular
  4. Respiratory
  5. Urinary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Endocrine system in regulating body temperature

A

The hypothalamus turns off and on heat regulation mechanisms in the body through: sweating, dialation, constriction of blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Digestive system in regulating body temperature

A

When a person eats, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose.
Insulin moves the glucose from the blood towards inside of the cells.
The heat is distributed throughout the body via blood vessels.
Heat is also los through elimination of feces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Cardiovascular system in regulating body temperature

A

Heat can be lost through the skin where vessels are close to the skin.
Heat is lost through the skin by conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation of perspiration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Respiratory system and regulating body temperature

A

Heat is lost through breathing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Urinary system and regulating body heat

A

Heat is lost through the elimination of urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the 5 ways to measure a patient’s temperature?

A

Orally, axillary, aural, rectal, and temporal artery temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Oral temperature

A

The thermometer is inserted under the tongue and patient must be alert and cooperative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Axillary temperature

A

A thermometer is placed underneath the arm (the armpit), and used on patients who are young, unconscious, or uncooperative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Aural temperature

A

Measure the temperature of the tympanic membrane in the ear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Rectal temperature

A

The thermometer is placed in the rectum but high risk of perforating the rectal wall; used on patients who are young or unconscious

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Temporal artery temperature

A

Reads infrared heat waved released from the temporal artery on the side of the forehead; used on patients over 3 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Lowered body temperatures may result from:

A

Infection, fasting, decreased muscular activity, exposure to cold, drugs that lower metabolism, depression, hemorrhage, dehydration, and severe central nervous system problems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Continuous body temperature

A

Remains fairly constant over 24 hours and above the patient’s normal baseline; Is seen in fevers to indicate an infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Remittent body temperature

A

Significant fluctuations in a 24-hour period, but never falls back to normal body temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Intermittent body temperature

A

Several bouts of high temperature interrupted by periods of normal body temperature; Seen in malaria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Relapsing body temperature

A

Occurs 5 to 7 days and then the body temperature returns to normal for the next 5 - 7 days; This is a sign of fever caused by pathogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the types of thermometers?

A

Glass, battery-operated electronic, aural, disposable, and temporal artery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Glass thermometers

A

No longer recommended for use due to broken glass and exposure to mercury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Battery-operated electronic thermometers

A

Most medical facilities use this; much faster; two different probes for either oral/axillary or rectal methods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Aural thermometers

A

Have a disposable or reusable ear speculum; gives readings within 3 seconds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Disposable thermometer

A

Flat plastic strips or patched with colored numbers that are heat sensors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Temporal artery thermometer

A

Measure infrared heat released from the temporal artery on the side of the forehead; great to use on children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the steps for properly obtaining a temperature with an electronic digital thermometer?

A
  1. Identify the patient
  2. Wash hands and put on gloves
  3. Question patient
  4. Remove thermometer from base
  5. Place probe
  6. Remove thermometer
  7. Discard probe cover
  8. Remove gloves, wash hands, and complete documentation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the two ways to measure pulse?

A

Apical, and radial pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Apical pulse

A

The heartbeat heard when using the stethoscope at the apex of the heart; count this pulse for 60 seconds and determine the BPM; most accurate measurement of heart rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Radial pulse

A

Palpated at the radial artery in the wrist; the site most often used to measure pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Other measurement sites

A

Dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, popliteal, femoral, ulnar, brachial, and carotid arteries

32
Q

Pulse range for Newborn

A

130 - 160 BPM

33
Q

Pulse range for Infant

A

110 - 130 BPM

34
Q

Pulse range for children 1 - 7 years

A

80 - 120 BPM

35
Q

Pulse range for children over 7 years

A

80 - 90 BPM

36
Q

Pulse rate for adults

A

60 - 80 BPM

37
Q

Pulse rate for Elderly

A

50 - 70 BPM

38
Q

Respiration (ventilation)

A

Body process that brings in oxygen to the bloodstream and eliminates waste carbon dioxide

39
Q

What are the two parts of respiration?

A

Inspiration and expiration

40
Q

Factors influencing respiration rate

A

Allergic reactions, disease, exercise or increased activity, high emotions, stimulation of the peripheral nervous system, fever, hemorrhage, high altitude, medications and drugs, obstructed airways, pain, shock, decrease or increase of carbon dioxide in the blood

41
Q

What are the steps for taking both pulse and respiration rate?

A
  1. Identify the patient
  2. Wash hands
  3. Explain the procedure
  4. Take the measurements
  5. Wash hands and complete documentation
42
Q

Blood pressure

A

The measurement of the pressure of the blood against the walls of the vessels as the heart pumps the blood through

43
Q

What equipment do you need to measure heart rate?

A

Stethoscope and sphygmomanometer

44
Q

Stethoscope

A

Used to focus and amplify the sound of the heartbeat; Diaphragm is the flat piece used for listening to the pulse and the bell is used to listen to heart and lung sounds and sounds from

45
Q

Sphygmomanometer

A

Used to measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)

46
Q

Two readings important in measuring blood pressure:

A

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

47
Q

Systolic blood pressure

A

The period of highest pressure on the artery; the force of the blood against the artery wall when the ventricles are constricting

48
Q

Diastolic blood pressure

A

The lowest pressure of the artery when the vessels are relaxed

48
Q

Normal blood pressure

A

Varies by individual but should be around 120/80 mm Hg

49
Q

Hypertension

A

High blood pressure, rises above 140/90 mm Hg (Stage 1), rises above 160/100 mm Hg (Stage 2)

50
Q

Prehypertension

A

Blood pressure above 120/80

51
Q

Causes of increased blood pressure

A

Exercise, stress, anxiety, excitement, fear, pain, increased arterial blood volume, loss of vessel elasticity as blood vessels age, increased peripherla resistance, narrowing of blood vessels, endocrine disorders, smoking, renal disease, liver disease, heart disease, right arm higher than left arm, certain drug therapies, increased intracranial pressure, late pregnancy, obesity, and time of day

52
Q

Causes of decreased blood pressure

A

Weak heart, massive heart attack, hemorrhage, shock and vascular collapse, dehydration, adrenal insufficiency, certain drug therapies, disorders of the nervous system, hypothyroidism, sleep, infections, fevers, cancer, anemia, approaching death, middle pregnancy, pain, starvation, sudden postural changes, and time of day

53
Q

What are the steps in measuring blood pressure?

A
  1. Wash hands and assemble equipment
  2. Identify patient
  3. Clean equipment
  4. Position patient
  5. Position cuff
  6. Inflate cuff
  7. Release air and take reading
  8. Clean equipment
  9. Wash hands and complete documentation
54
Q

What are the steps in measuring height and weight?

A
  1. Identify patient
  2. Wash hands
  3. Explain procedure to patient
  4. Zero scale
  5. Position patient
  6. Read weight
  7. Reposition and measure height
  8. Wash hands and complete documentation
55
Q

Who is responsible for positioning the patient for the examination for the physician?

A

PCT

56
Q

What position does the patient begin the examination in typically?

A

A sitting position

57
Q

Anatomical position

A

A standing position with feet together and palms facing outwards

58
Q

Sitting

A

Begin the examination, auscultation of heart and lungs, and examination of head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat

59
Q

Fowler’s position

A

The patient is sitting erect on the table with the legs extended to the front and the backrest positioned at a 90-degree angle to the table

60
Q

Semi-Fowler’s position

A

The patient is sitting on the table with the legs extended and the backrest positioned to 45-degrees to the table

61
Q

Supine

A

The patient is lying flat on the back with arms to the sides and legs extended

62
Q

Dorsal recumbent

A

The patient is lying flat on their back with the knees bent and the feet flat on the table

63
Q

Prone

A

The patient is lying on their abdomen with their head pointed to one side, and hands to the side

64
Q

Tredelenburg position

A

The patient is lying flat on their back with the head lower than the feet; used for when the patient has decreased blood pressure or experiencing shock

65
Q

Knee-chest position

A

The patient brings the knees to the chest; useful in pregnant women to reduce compression of umbilical cord

66
Q

Jackknife position

A

The patient lies on their abdomen on the table with knees on the table and buttocks extended

67
Q

Lithotomy position

A

The patient lies on the back in dorsal recumbent with the feet on the corners of the table or in stirrups; assist the patient to the end of the table with their buttocks

68
Q

Left lateral recumbent position

A

The patient lies in a horizontal position on the left side

69
Q

Right lateral recumbent position

A

The patient lies in a horizontal position to the right side

70
Q

Sim’s position

A

The patient lies in the left or right lateral recumbent with the upper leg flexed sharply and the lower leg bent slightly

71
Q

What are the 5 assessment methods for physicians during the physical examination?

A

Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, and mensuration

72
Q

Inspection

A

Visual examination of both external and internal parts; look for symmetry, size, color and unusual breaks in the skin

73
Q

Palpation

A

Touching patients using hands and fingers to feel surfaces of the body and organs for abnormal size, location, and tenderness

74
Q

Auscultation

A

Listening to heart, lungs, and GI tract with a stethoscope to make hearing easier

75
Q

Percussion

A

Tapping fingers lightly and sharply against the body to assess the size and location of organs

76
Q

Mensuration

A

Measurement of parts of the body

Section 1: PCT Certification (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions