Maternal Vital Signs

Question 1

What are maternal vital signs?

Answer 1

Maternal vital signs are measures of various physiological statistics, often taken by health professionals, in order to assess the most basic body functions

Question 2

What are the 2 main reasons why vital sigs are recorded?

Answer 2

• To establish a baseline on admission or to monitor ongoing condition
• To help identify any abnormalities

Question 3

What is a maternal pulse?

Answer 3

A pressure wave which is transmitted through arteries, directly linked to cardiac output (caused by contraction of the ventricle)

Question 4

How do record the maternal pulse?

Answer 4

Can be felt at any point where the artery is close to the body surface

Question 5

What information can be gained from the maternal pulse?

Answer 5

Rate, volume, strength, regularity

Question 6

What is the normal resting maternal pulse?

Answer 6

60-100bpm

Question 7

In which 2 places can you find the maternal pulse?

Answer 7

The neck (carotid artery) and the wrist (radial artery)

Question 8

What is tachycardia?

Answer 8

> 100bpm

Question 9

What is bradycardia?

Answer 9

<60bpm

Question 10

What is a respiratory rate?

Answer 10

The intake of oxygen necessary for metabolic function and the elimination of carbon dioxide which is a by-product of that metabolism

Question 11

How do you calculate respiratory rate?

Answer 11

By counting the number of breaths a person takes per minute

Question 12

What is the normal respiratory rate?

Answer 12

10-20

Question 13

Why is respiratory rate a vital sign?

Answer 13

Changes in RR in pregnant women is one of the most sensitive indicators of deterioration of wellbeing

Question 14

What is tachypnoea?

Answer 14

RR higher than 20

Question 15

What is bradypnoea?

Answer 15

RR lower than 10

Question 16

What is body temperature?

Answer 16

Body temp is achieved by balance between heat gain and heat loss

Question 17

How is body temp measured?

Answer 17

By using a thermometer, can be inserted into mouth, rectum, ear or placed under the armpit

Question 18

What can influence body temperature?

Answer 18

Stress, dehydration, exercise, being in a hot or cold environment, drinking hot or cold beverage, and thyroid

Question 19

What is the normal body temperature?

Answer 19

36-37.4 degrees Celsius

Question 20

What is blood pressure?

Answer 20

The pressure exerted on the walls of the blood pressure (two readings)

Question 21

What is systolic blood pressure (top reading)?

Answer 21

• Arterial blood pressure changes throughout the cardiac cycle
• Contraction of the ventricles during systole ejects blood into the aorta and raises the arterial pressure

Question 22

What is diastolic blood pressure (bottom reading)?

Answer 22

• As the heart relaxes during diastole, blood leaves the main arteries and the blood pressure falls, this is affected by peripheral resistance, therefore depends on the level of systolic blood pressure, the elasticity of the arteries and the viscosity of the blood

Question 23

What is the normal blood pressure for a pregnant woman?

Answer 23

SYS 110-140 and DIA 70-90

Question 24

What can alter blood pressure?

Answer 24

Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors