Medical observations

Question 1

What is the NEWS system

Answer 1

National early warning scoring system
An aggregate scoring system
Scores are allocated to 6 physiological assessments

Question 2

What are the 6 physiological assessments involved in the NEWS system

Answer 2

RR
BP
HR
spO2
Temp
Level of consciousness

Question 3

What is heart rate

Answer 3

Number of times the heart beats per minute

Question 4

How to measure heart rate

Answer 4

Auscultating the cardiac apex

Question 5

How to measure pulse rate

Answer 5

Palpating a peripheral artery (radial or carotid)
Can also use a blood pressure cuff or O2 saturation probe

Question 6

What do heart rate results mean

Answer 6

Normal is between 60 and 100 bpm at rest
High is more than 100 bpm at rest (Tachycardia)
Low is less than 60 bpm at rest (Bradycardia)

Question 7

What is blood pressure

Answer 7

The strength at which your blood pushes on the sides of arteries as it is pumped around your body
Measured in mmHg

Question 8

What is systolic pressure

Answer 8

Pressure in the arteries when the heart beats

Question 9

What is diastolic pressure

Answer 9

Pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between contractions

Question 10

How should blood pressure be taken

Answer 10

Using an arm or wrist cuff
Patient should be relaxed and comfortable
Take 2x readings 1 min apart
Can be affected by standing, sitting, supine (with and without crossed legs) and exercise

Question 11

What do blood pressure results mean

Answer 11

Normal is between 95/60 and 140/90 (average is 120/80)
High is above 145/90
Low is lower than 90/60

Question 12

What is respiratory rate

Answer 12

Number of breaths a person takes per minute

Question 13

How should RR be measured

Answer 13

Patient seated comfortably in a quiet, calm location
Patient should not be talking
Count breaths in 1 minute

Question 14

What do RR results mean

Answer 14

Normal is between 12 and 20 breaths per min
High is more than 20 breaths per min (Tachypnoea)
Low is less than 10 breaths per min (Bradypnoea)

Question 15

What is O2 saturation

Answer 15

How much oxygen your blood is carrying as a percentage of the maximum it could carry

Question 16

How is O2 saturation measured

Answer 16

Using a pulse oximeter
Using a percentage amount
Can be taken on a child’s big toe
Can be affected by cold hands, poor circulation, decreased blood flow to the fingers, Raynaud’s and nail polish/fake nails

Question 17

What do O2 saturation results mean

Answer 17

Normal is between 95-100% on room air
Low is below 92-95% in ‘normal adults’ or below 88% in those with a respiratory condition

Question 18

What is temperature

Answer 18

The degree of heat or cold in an object or human body

Question 19

How is temperature taken

Answer 19

Using a thermometer (orally/axillary/rectal/tympanic/temporal artery)
Measured in degrees celsius
Can be affected by time of day, age, health status, where it is measured, consciousness, emotions and activity

Question 20

What do temperature results mean

Answer 20

Normal is between 36.5 and 37.5
High is above 38
Low is below 35

Question 21

What is the acronym for measuring consciousness

Answer 21

AVPU

Question 22

What does AVPU stand for

Answer 22

Alert
Voice
Pain
Unresponsive