Monitoring the Patient Flashcards
Define Blood Pressure
Pressure exerted by the blood on the blood vessel walls
What does blood pressure depend on?
Cardiac Output
Peripheral Resistance
State the normal bp ranges for Systolic and Diastolic
- Systolic BP 140 - 100mmHg
- Diastolic BP 60 - 90mmHg
Describe how to take BP
Position the cuff so that the centre of the cuff covers the brachial artery; use the correct size of cuff; apply cuff snugly
When should the bp cuff not be placed on an arm
- Lymph drainage has been drained
- Patient has AV fistula, arterial line, intravenous cannula or infusion
What is a pulse?
The impulse which is transmitted to arteries by contraction of the left ventricle
State normal pulse values for an adult
60 - 100 bpm
State the normal pulse range for Tachycardia
> 100 bpm
State the normal pulse range for Brachycradia
<60 bpm
Describe the process of taking a pulse
- Locate the pulse point with first and second finger
- Lightly, but firmly compress the artery
- Count the beats for a full minute
- Take not of the Rate, Rhythm (Regular or Irregular), Volume (Strength)
State how to measure respiratory rate
- Is the patient breathing?
- How many breaths is the patient taking in one minute?
- Are they regular?
- Are they shallow or deep?
- Is the breathing noisy or quiet?
- Does both sides of the chest move equally and evenly?
- Does the patient need to be in a certain position to breathe?
Describe some respiratory symptoms
- Dyspnoea
- Apnoea
- Orthopnea
- Tachypnea
- Wheezing
- Cyanosis
- Hypoxia
What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult?
12- 18 breaths per minute
What is the normal respiratory rate for an 8 yr old?
20 breaths per minute
What is the normal respiratory rate for a 1 yr old?
30 breaths per minute
What is the respiratory rate for a neonate?
40 breaths per minute
What is a Pulse Oximetry
A non-invasive device which monitors the percentage of haemoglobin which is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood
- Main function is to detect Hypoxaemia
State the benefits of Pulse Oximetry
- Useful monitoring device evaluating the oxygen status of patients
- Determines how much and how well oxygen is being transported to the tissues and cells of the body
- Will detect low levels of oxygen saturation before cyanosis is apparent
State the Haemoglobin Saturation for a Healthy Individual
97%
State an advantage of Face Masks for Oxygen
Controlled Concentration Delivery
State disadvantages of a Face Mask for Oxygen
- Patient will remove facemask to eat or talk
- May feel claustrophobic
State advantages of using Nasal Cannula
- Patient can talk and eat
-Oxygen delivery is continous
State disadvantages of a Nasal Cannula
- Not appropriate for acute respiratory failure
- Concentration delivery is varied
How will oxygen therapy be delivered to a unconscious patient
They may have an endotracheal tube in place which enables administration of oxygen directly into the lungs while through a ventilator or through spontaneous breathing
