NHA vital signs Flashcards
before taking any vital signs, what should you verify
patient identity (name and dob)
to obtain the most accurate weight which things should the patient be asked to remove
-coat, shoes, heavy things in pockets
when taking height, the bar should be at what angle on the top of the patients head
90
when taking oral temperature, you have to make sure the patient has not done what
no food, drink or smoking within 15 to 30 min.
when taking oral temperature, where do you place the thermometer
Under tongue in posterior sublingual pocket on either side of the frenulum
when taking auxillary temperature, you dry with a paper towel in what way
pat (do not rub)
when taking temporal artery temp, where is it placed
Gently move thermometer probe across forehead from midline to just in front of the hairline
- then to back of the ear
number of heart beats per minute
pulse rate
you usually use the _____ artery to take pulse rate
radial (by wrist)
the pulse rate rhythm should be described as either
Normal or abnormal
the pulse rate volume should be described as
Normal,
bounding (strong)
thready (weak)
If patient has an _________- pulse, count for full minute.
abnormal
what is a bounding pulse volume
strong
what is a thready pulse volume
weak
average heart rate for adults is
60 to 100 beats per minute
increase in volume of breathing
hyperpnea
A decrease in the volume of breathing and is often related to sleep apnea
hypopnea
the rhythm of a pulse is which characteristics
time between breaths; consistency (regular or irregular
where do you locate pulse on the patient
Place tips of your first, second and third fingers over the radial artery
- thumb side of the wrist
when counting pulse and respiratory rate, you count for 30 seconds then
multiply by 2
Observe rise and fall of chest for a full respiratory cycle while doing what
acting like you’re taking the pulse
the depth of a respiration is characterized by its
amount of air inhaled or exhaled (normal, deep or shallow)
when describing respiratory rate in EHR, what two things are included
depth and rhythm
top number of a blood pressure
systolic
bottom number of a blood pressure.
diastolic
normal blood pressure range is between
90/60mmHg and 120/80 mmHg
high blood pressure (hypertension stage 1) is
systolic: 130-139 mmHg
diastolic: 80-89 mmHg
High blood pressure(hypertension) stage 2
systolic: 140 mmHg or higher
diastolic: 90mmHg or higher
Hypertensive crisis(consult your provider immediately)
systolic: over 180 mmHg
diastolic: over 120mmHg
before touching patient ask what
“i am going to take your temp, BP, etc… is that okay with you?”
when positioning the patient for BP reading, what should the patient do
Feet flat on floor,
arm at heart level,
palm up on a table or chair next to them,
elbow should be slightly flexed at a 90-degree angle
A properly fitted cuff should cover____ of patient’s upper arm
2/3
which artery do you find for the BP reading
brachial
- space in front of elbow where arm bends
Keep lower edge of BP cuff at least _____ above bend of elbow
1 inch
Using your dominant hand, tighten the pressure-release valve on the air pump and rapidly inflate the cuff ___________ the patient’s previous highest reading
30 mm hg above
when documenting BP, include what
Include the location of the measurement (la, ra, thigh) and the position of the patient
_________ refers to the interval timing between measured beats. The intervals between each beat should be consistent and symmetric
Pulse rhythm
As you deflate the blood-pressure cuff, you’ll hear the first sound - a clear, rhythmic tapping sound that coincides with the patient’s______ blood pressure
systolic
fifth sound, which is actually the disappearance of sound, is the ________ blood pressure
diastolic
normal result for pulse oximetry
95%
percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.
pulse oximetry
