Module 4: Vital Signs Flashcards
Vital Signs are part of which component:
1. scene size up
2. primary assessment
3. secondary assessment
4. reassessment
3 secondary assessment
What are the five components of a scene size up?
- BSI
- Is the scene safe?
- How many PTs are there?
- What is the MOI/NOI?
- Additional resources?
Name some examples of additional resources
ALS, Backup like PD
What are the basic steps of primary assessment?
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Decision
- Report
What are the components of secondary assessment?
Past medical history
Vital Signs!!
Physical Exam
Medical: examine body systems
Trauma: Look for injuries
Treatments
What occurs during ongoing assessment?
State how often you would reassess
Give a final Hand-Off
What are baseline vital signs?
first set of vitals the EMT obtains
can compare to future vitals
Vital Signs always include:
BERPS(P)
BP
Eyes
Respirations
Pulse
Skin (CTC)
Pulse Oximetry (SpO2)
Describe a normal BGLs and indicators it should be take
Normal: 80-120 mg/dL
Indications: altered mental status, diabetic Pts having symptoms (ex. dizziness, sweating, nausea, headaches)
What patients should have BGL assessed?
drunk people, people with seizures
What is a normal Pulse ox? What should be noted before taking it?
Normal: 94% and above
Caution:
nail polish
pt is cold
pt has resp. disease
CO poisoning
Should you take pulse ox if CO poisoning is suspected?
No, inaccurate reading
Describe how the rate, quality, and rhythm of respiration should be noted?
Rate: Number breaths per minute (30 seconds x2)
Quality: Character of breathing: Shallow, normal effort, labored
Rhythm: regular or irregular
ex. pt is breathing 18 times a minute, normal effort and regular
What are the normal respiratory rates for
adults
children
infants
adults: 12-20
children: 15-30
Infants: 25-30
When should you consider a BVM?
if adult resps <8 or >24
Rate not necessarily only indicator, if done with irregular/shallow effort
Which pulse should be used if
unconscious
conscious
unconscious: carotid
conscious: radial
Where should pulse be taken for pts under 1 years old?
brachial artery (upper arm)
How should rate, rhythm, and quality of pulse be noted?
rate: number of beats per minute (30 seconds x2)
rhythm: regular or irregular
quality: weak-strong
if heart rate is irregular, EMT must count for one full minute
What is the normal range for pulse rate:
adults
children
infants
Adults: 60 to 100
Children: 70 to 150
Infants: 100 to 160
How should color, temperature, and moisture of skin be noted? (ctc)
Color: pink, pallor, cyanosis, flushed, or jaundice
Temperature: cool, warm, hot
moisture: dry, moist (diaphoretic)
Where should skin color be checked on darker skin colors?
Inside of lip
What sort of patient should you test capillary refill on? When should blood return?
Children below the ago of five, NOT reliable in adults
Blood should return in less than 2 seconds
How is capillary refill documented?
CRT and time
ex. CRT, two seconds
Compare the two ways to obtain BP
- Auscultation (preferred)
-BP Cuff
-Stethoscope
-Will obtain systolic and diastolic - Palpation
-BP Cuff
-EMT Fingers
-ONLY Obtains systolic
What is systolic BP?
Pressure during heart’s contraction, amount of force against the arteries
What is diastolic BP?
Pressure during relaxing phase of heart’s cycle. Residual pressure remaining in arteries while heart is filling
What is the first step when finding BP?
Find brachial artery, make sure arm is straight, on pinky side of arm
What is the second step when finding BP?
Wrap cuff with enough space for stethoscope
What is the third step when finding BP?
With stethoscope over brachial, begin to inflate cuff to about 180 to 200, deflate SLOWLY
What is the fourth step when finding BP?
Watch the gauge
When you hear the first strong heartbeat, this is the SYSTOLIC
When you hear the last heartbeat, this is DIASTOLIC
When should auscultation be used?
When it is too loud or difficult to find
Describe process of palpating to find systolic BP
- Locate radial
- Wrap cuff around arm
- Inflate cuff to 200
- Slowly deflate
- Note number when pulse returns
Name the three things you need to have a good BP
- Pump (heart)
- Fluid (blood)
- Pipes (blood vessels)
A drop in BP may indicate:
loss of blood
loss of vascular tone
cardiac pumping problem
What occurs when normal pupils are shined w light?
Gets smaller faster and go back to normal size
What is PERL?
Pupils are Equal and Reactive to Light
A heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute in an adult patient is called
tachycardia
