Measuring Vital Signs (VS) Flashcards
an assessment of vital or critical physiological functions
vital signs (VS)
the degree of heat maintained by the body
body temperature
an adult’s normal internal temperature or (core temperature)
97-100 degrees F or
36.1-38.2 degrees C
the process of temperature regulation
thermoregulation
hairs standing on end
piloerection
the sum of all physical and chemical processes and changes that take place in the body
metabolism
the amount of energy required to maintain the body at rest
basal metabolic rate (BMR)
the metabolism of brown fat to product heat
nonshivering thermogenesis
is the loss of heat through electromagnetic waves emitting from surfaces that are warmer than the surrounding air
radiation
the transfer of heat through currents of air or water
convection
when water is converted to vapor and lost from the skin (as perspiration) or the mucous membranes (breath)
evaporation
water loss by evaporation
insensible loss
moisture in the air
humidity
the process whereby heat is transferred from a warm to a cool surface by direct contact
conduction
a cyclical repetition of certain physiological processes that occurs every 24 hours
circadian rhythm
fever
pyrexia
a person with a fever
febrile
a person without a fever
afebrile
a fever above 105.8 F or 41.0 C
hyperpyrexia [hyper (above)-pyrexia (fever)]
fever-producing substances
pyrogens
specialized white blood cells
phagocytes
substances that reset the hypothalamic thermostat at a higher temperature
prostaglandins
reset value
set point
the period when body temperature is rising but has not yet reached the new set point
in initial phase (febrile episode or onset)
the period when body temp reaches its maximum (set point) and remains fairly constant at eh new higher level
the second phase (course)
the period when the temp returns to normal
the third phase ( defervescence or crisis)
temp alternates regularly between periods of fever and periods of normal or below-normal temp w/o pharmacological intervention : or the temp returns to normal at least once every 24 hours
intermittent fever
Very thin wasted appearance
Cachectic
In a general system what are normal/abnormal findings?
Normal: alert,oriented x3, properly dressed, cooperative
Abnormal: lethargic ,confused, uncooperative , angry, sad, depressed
CRT
Capillary refill time
In skin what are norm/abnormal findings? Interventions?
Norm: warm dry intact no tenting no bruises or lesions
Abnormal : cold clammy wounds open areas bruises rashes tenting cyanosis jaundice
Intervention: turn q 2hrs skin softeners dressing changed / protect wounds use Braden scale to predict pressure ulcers
fluctuations in temp above normal during 24 hour period
remittent fever
The first step of the nursing process
Assessment
temp may fluctuate slightly but always above normal
constant (sustained) fever
The systematic gathering of information related to the physical, mental, spiritual, socioeconomic , and cultural status of an individual , group, or community
Assessment
short periods of fever alternating with periods of normal temp each lasting 1-2 days
relapsing (recurrent) fever
fever reducing
antipyretic
a body temp above normal but the elevated temp higher than the set point
hyperthermia
a type of hyperthermia that is potentially life threatening; a state of weakness produced by exposure to heat, humidity and excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes; the body’s thermoregulatory system is still functioning
heat exhaustion
a derangement of thermoregulation with altered mental status and high body tem; occurs if heat exhaustion is not treated; caused by high temp and high humidity
heat stroke
an abnormally low core temp less than 95 F or 35 C
hypothermia
the contraction of the heart
systole
the resting phase of the heart
diastole
the quantity of blood forced out by each contraction of the left ventrical
stroke volume
the total quantity of blood pumped per minute
cardiac output
feeling
palpation
listening with a stethoscope
auscultation
a sound-transmitting device (bell and diaphragm) that is attached to earpieces by rubber tubing and hollow metal tubes
stethoscope
pulse at the apex of the heart
apical pulse
a place where an artery can be pressed by the fingers against a bone
peripheral pulse
a difference between the two counts
pulse deficit
count the number of beats per minute while palpating or auscultating
rate
brady
slow
cardiac
heart
bradycardia
slow hart
tachy
rapid
the intervals between heartbeats establish a pulse pattern
rhythm
dys
irregular
when the intervals between beats vary enough to be noticeable
dysrhythmia
ECG
Electrocardiogram