MEASUREMENT OF VITAL SIGNS/PATIENT PREPARATION Flashcards
vital signs
temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. Abbreviated TPR and BP and may also be called cardinal signs.
anthropometric measurements
height, weight, BMI, body fat composition, and head and chest circumference
apnea
absence of respirations
arrythmia
irregular heart rate
bradycardia
heart rate less than normal
tachycardia
heart rate above normal
bradypnea
respirations less than normal
tachypnea
respiratory rate above normal
dyspnea
difficult breathing
febrile
pertaining to fever
afebrile
without fever
hypertension
blood pressure above the normal range
hypotension
blood pressure below the normal range
orthopnea
difficulty breathing in a reclining position
orthostatic hypotension
temporary decrease in blood pressure readings when changing positions
digital thermometers
used frequently and can measure temperature by mouth, axilla, rectum, or ear canal
disposable thermometers
used to obtain body temperature using heat-sensitive material that changes color
temporal thermometers
thermometer is rubbed across the forehead from temporal artery to temporal artery, reading the infrared heat that comes off the patient’s head
infrared thermometers
takes a person’s temperature without the need for body contact, by scanning the forehead. a sensor absorbs infrared energy from the subject’s body heat and converts it to a digital reading
Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C)
F-32x5/9=C
subtract 32, then multiply by 5, then divide by 9
Celsius (C) to Fahrenheit (F)
Cx9/5+32=F
multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
pulse rates
the count of the palpable beats against the walls of the arteries
respirations
measured as the complete cycle of inspiration and expiration being counted as one
Korotkoff sounds
sounds heard when the blood pressure is measured; also called heart sounds
