MAS-210 Chapter 37 Vital Signs and Measurements Flashcards
having a body temperature within one’s normal range
afebrile
the absence of resiration
apnea
blood pressure as measured by listening with a stethoscope
auscultated blood pressure
a reliable indicator of healthy weight that is calculated based on height and weight
body mass index (BMI)
a slow heart rate; usually less than 60 bpm
bradycardia
to determine the caliber of; to standardize a measuring instrument
calibrate
difficult or painful breathing
dyspnea
what does the suffix dys- mean
- difficult
- painful
- bad
- abnormal
what does the suffix pneo mean
breathing
having a body temperature above one’s normal range
febrile
a balanced, stable state within the body
homeostasis
abnormally deep, rapid breathing
hyperpnea
an exceptionally high fever over 106 degrees Fahrenheit (
hyperpyrexia
high blood pressure
hypertension
the condition of breathing rapidly and deeply. Hyperventilating decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood
hyperventilation
low blood pressure
hypotension
subnormal oxygenated of arterial blood, short of anoxia
hypoxemia
a situation in which blood pressure becomes low and the pulse increases when a patient is moved from a lying to standing position; also known as postural hypotension
orthostatic hypotension
measuring of the oxygen saturation of blood using spectrophotometry
oximetry
Systolic blood pressure measured by using the sense of touch. This measurement provides a necessary preliminary approximation of the systolic blood pressure to ensure an adequate level of inflation when the actual auscultatory measurement is made.
palpatory method
When the pulse rate increases more than 10 beats per minute (bpm) and the blood pressure drops more than 20 points while taking vital signs in the lying, sitting, and standing positions.
positive tilt test
A situation in which blood pressure becomes low and the pulse increases when a patient is moved from a lying to a standing position; also known as orthostatic hypotension.
postural hypotension
a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
pyrexia
noisy respirations usually due to blockage of the bronchial tubes
rales
Deep snoring or rattling sounds during breathing; associated with asthma, acute bronchitis, or any condition involving partial obstruction of the lung’s airway.
rhonchi
a condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep
sleep apnea
An instrument for measuring blood pressure; consists of an inflatable cuff, a pressure bulb used to inflate the cuff, and a device to read the pressure.
sphygmomanometer
an instrument that amplifies body sounds
stethoscope
rapid heart rate; generally in excess of 100 bpm
tachycardia
abnormally rapid breathing
tachypnea
An instrument, either electronic or disposable, that is used to measure body temperature.
thermometer
are vital signs taken before or after the doctor examines the patient?
before
vital signs include-
- temperature
- pulse
- respiration
- blood pressure
_____ is frequently evaluated during the patient interview and recorded along with the vital signs
pain level
is the balance between heat produced by metabolic processes and heat loss from the body
body temperature
what are the factors of body temperature?
- time of the day
- age
- sex
- physical exercise
- emotion
- ovulation
- pregnancy
- drugs
- food
- environmental changes
- metabolism
is usually a sign of inflammation or infection
fever
what are the 5 locations you can take temperatures?
- mouth (oral)
- ear (tympanic)
- armpit/axilla (axillary)
- temporal artery (temporal)
- rectum (rectal)
true or false: temperature can only be measured in Fahrenheit
false. can be measured in Fahrenheit and Celsius
what are the different types of electronic thermometers?
- digital thermometer
- tympanic thermometer
- temporal scanner
where are electronic digital thermometers commonly used?
medical offices
what are the advantages of an electronic digital thermometer?
- accurate
- fast
- easy to read
- comfortable for the patient
what does the tympanic thermometer measure?
measures infrared energy emitted from the tympanic membrane (eardrum)
what does the temporal scanner measure?
measures infrared heat of the temporal artery and the ambient temperature
true or false: disposable thermometers can be used multiple times
false. they are single use
what parts of the body is the disposable thermometer used for?
oral, axillary, or skin measurements
is the disposable thermometer accurate?
no
what places/environments are disposable thermometers used in?
useful for patients in their home, or used for screening
all temperature measurements should be recorded to the nearest ____ of a degree
one-tenth
where would you place the thermometer during an oral examination?
under the tongue in either pocket just off centered in the lower jaw
wait at least ____ minutes after a patient had been eating, chewing gum, drinking, or smoking before taking an oral temperature
15 minutes
how would you know a tympanic thermometer is ready for use?
after removing it from the cradle and waiting for an indicator light to show that it is ready for use
the tympanic membrane should not be used right after –
swimming or bathing
what is the most accurate measurement of the body?
rectal temperatures
what is the preferred position when taking a rectal temp. examination?
Sim’s position
where should the axillary thermometer be placed?
the tip of the thermometer should be in the middle of the axilla, with the shaft of the thermometer facing forward
how do you take a temporal scanner?
gently stroke the thermometer across the forehead, crossing over the temporal artery (left side of the forehead at the temple)
____ is measured as the number of times the heart beats in 1 minute
pulse
_____ is the number of times a patient breathes in 1 minute
respiration
one breath/respiration equals-
one inhalation and exhalation
is pulse/respiration rate higher on females or males?
females
what two body systems are related to pulse and respiration?
circulatory and respiratory system
a pulse rate rives information about the patient’s -
cardiovascular system
what is the average adult pulse rate?
60-100 BPM
where is the pulse rate measured in adults?
radial artery
if you count the pulse for 30 seconds, you multiple by ___ to get your BPM
2
if you count for 15 seconds, you multiply by ___ to get your BPM
4
where can the pulse be measured for and infant/child?
brachial artery
if the beats are irregular, how long do you measure the beats?
1 minute
what is the alternative if the brachial artery cannot be felt?
the apex of the heart
where is the apex of the heart located?
in the 5th intercostal space
what are the different types of major arteries to feel for a pulse?
- temporal artery
- carotid artery
- brachial artery
- radial artery
- femoral artery
- popliteal artery
- posterior tibial artery
- dorsalis pedis artery
where can a pulse oximetry be placed?
- finger
- earlobe
- toe
- dorsum
- plantar surfaces of the foot
- bridge of the nose
when should a nose pulse oximetry be used?
only with patients who have good peripheral circulation
what is the normal range in a pulse oximetry?
95-100%
____ indicates how well the patient’s body is providing oxygen to tissues
respiration
how are respirations counted?
- rate
- rhythm
- effort (quality)
if breathing is irregular, how long should you measure respiration?
1 minute
____ respirations are charcterized by periods of increasing and decreasing depth of respiration between periods of apnea
cheyne-strokes
what type of patients could show signs of Cheyne-strokes?
- strokes
- head injuries
- brain tumors
- congestive heart failure
_____ is the force at which blood is pumped against the walls of the arteries
blood pressure
what is another name for blood pressure
arterial blood pressure
what is the unit of measurement for blood pressure?
- millimeters of mercury
- mmHg
the pressure measured when the left ventricle of the heart contracts is known as the _____ pressure
systolic
the pressure measured when the heart relaxes is known as the _____ pressure
diastolic
the ____ pressure indicates the minimum amount of pressure exerted against the vessel walls at all times
diastolic
what is the average adult blood pressure?
120/80 mmHg
what diseases does hypertension cause?
heart diseases and strokes
hypertension crisis/malignant hypertension is blood pressure high enough to cause-
- renal/heart failure
- papilledema
- vital organ damage
