Module 4 Flashcards
Vital Signs
Temperature
Pulse
Respiration
Blood Pressure
O2 Saturation
(Pain is often included but not necessarily)
Vital Signs reflect…
the health of a person
When should vitals be taken?
- to get a baseline with pre/post medications or pre/post vitals
-upon admission
-based on institutional policy/procedure - before and after activity that increases risk, surgery, or medication administration affecting cardio/resp.
-when physician orders it
-WHENEVER YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO DO THEM
Can you take just one vital sign?
Absolutely Not
Who can take vitals?
People who are delegated healthcare personnel, but it is the nurses responsibility to assure its correct
We need to have a what for vital comparison?
Baseline vitals
“Close the Loop”
Responsibility of the nurse to follow up on delegation of vitals - the nurse has the responsibility if someone else is told to do it
Thermoregulatory center is in …
the hypothalamus
Primary source of body heat production?
metabolism
What things increase metabolism and heat production?
-hormones (EP and NEP), muscle movements, and exercise
-NEP and EP are released and alter metabolism which leads to energy production decreases and heat production increases
Sources of Heat Loss
-Skin (primary source)
-evaporation of sweat
-warming and humidifying inspired air
-eliminating urine and feces
Physical Processes Transferring Body Heart to External Environment?
- Radiation
- Convection
- Evaporation
- Conduction
Radiation
the diffusion or dissemination of heat by electromagnetic waves (ex: not having a hat)
Convection
transference of heat by motion between areas of unequal density
Evaporation
conversion of a liquid to a vapor (lose heat)
Conduction
transference of heat to another object during direct contact (ex: ice pack)
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
- Circadian Rhythm
- Age and Gender
- Environmental Temperatures
How does core temperature fluctuate during the day?
- core temperature is lowest in the morning
- body temperature highest in the alte afternoon (4-8 pm)
How does Age and Gender influence core body temperature?
- Older and Younger people have less adaptable ability (from things like less sweat glands or less muscle mass)
-Men and Woman have hormone changes differing body temperature (Female Progesterone leads to more fluctuation)
Types of Fever
- Intermittent - Temp returns to normal once every 24 hours
- Remittent - fluctuating a few degrees
- Sustained/Continuous - stays stable at the same temperature
- Relapsing - returning to normal for 1+ days with fever for several days reoccurring
FUO
Fever of unknown origin - a fever greater than 38 Celsius lasting more than 3 weeks with no identifiable cause
Methods of Taking Temperature
Blue Oral
Blue Axillary
Red Rectal
Tympanic Membrane
Temporal Arterial
Temperature Sensitive (invasive)
Single Use Thermometer
Mercury Glass Thermometer
Infrared Thermometer
Sites for Temperature Assessment
Forehead
Orallly
Axillary
Rectal
Temporal Artery
Contraindications for Oral Temperature
Vomiting
Cognition issues
Eating or Drinking
Oxygen Use
Smoking
Age
Seizure Status
Open Sores
Age (<4 is too young to cooperatre)
Recent Oral Surgery
Contraindications for Rectal Temperature
Cardiac Issues (Vagus nerve stimulation lowers HR)
Rectal Surgery
Thrombocytopenia
Neutropenia
Age
Cognitive Issues
Contraindications of Tympanic Temperature
Pain
Infection
Scar Tissue
Cerumen Excess
Age (Under 3 can perforate the E tubes)
What might alter Temporal Artery Temperature?
Hair, Scarring, Cranial Surgery
Oral Normal Temperature
37 C / 98.6 F
Rectal Normal Temperature
37.5 C / 99.5 F
Axillary Normal Tempearture
36.5 C / 97.7 F
Tympanic Normal Temperature
37 C / 98.6 F
Forehead Normal Temperature
34.4 C / 94 F
Temporal Arterial Normal Temperature
37.5 C / 99.5 F
What temperatures are about a degree above and below Oral?
Above: Rectal, Temporal Arterial
Below: Axillary
Core Temperatures
Rectal, (possibly tympanic)
Routine newborn temperature is taken…
Axillary
Important thing to do when taking Tympanic Temperature?
in an adult, pull back on the ear
In a child above age 3/4 y/o you pull down and back
When taking a rectal temperature you must use what 2 things?
Gloves and Water Soluble Lubricants
Pulse is regulated by the ____ through _____
ANS through pacemaker (cardiac sinoatrial node)
What is the heart’s pacemaker?
Cardiac Sinoatrial Node
Parasympathetic stimulation does what to heart rate
decreases it (Sympathetic increases it)
What is Pulse Rate?
number of contractions over a peripheral artery for one minute
Physical Effects of Fever?
Anorexia
Headache
Diaphoresis
Thirst
Dehydration
Muscle Aches
Elevated Respiration
Elevated pulse Rate Due to Fluid Deficiency
Possibly Seizures