Normal ranges

Question 1

What is the normal blood pressure?

Answer 1

For an adult aged 19-65:
- Systolic (90-120mmHg).
- Diastolic (60-80mmHg).

Question 2

What does the systolic measure?

Answer 2

The pressure in your arteries.

Question 3

What does the diastolic measure?

Answer 3

The pressure in your arteries when your heart rests.

Question 4

What can affect blood pressure?

Answer 4

• A lot of salt can make it high.
• Regular Physical activity can make it low.
• Stress can make it high.

Question 5

What is the normal heart rate?

Answer 5

60-100 bpm.

Question 6

How is heart rate measured?

Answer 6

This is measured electronically on a pulse oximeter or manually by resting a finger on the inside of the wrist of the side of the neck.

Question 7

What can affect the heart rate?

Answer 7

• Stress can cause it to rise due to the release of adrenaline.
• Exercise as your muscles become stronger when you exercise regularly, as it will improve the circulation therefore lowering the heart rate.
• A fatty diet will cause cholesterol to build up, increasing your heart rate.

Question 8

What is the normal respiratory rate?

Answer 8

• At rest, 12-20 breaths per minute.
• When exercising. 40-60 breaths per minute.

Question 9

How do you measure respiratory rate?

Answer 9

Watch as the chest and or shoulders fall and rise for a minute, counting each breath.

Question 10

What can affect respiratory rate?

Answer 10

• An overdose on painkillers can lower it as they depress the breathing drive in the brain.
• Sleep apnea can lower it as your throat tissue relaxes, blocking the airways.
• Anxiety can increase it as you tend to breathe faster when anxious.
• A fever will increase it as you breathe more to get rid of heat.
• Dehydration as your body breathes more to get energy to your cells.

Question 11

What is the normal body temperature?

Answer 11

36 - 37.5 Degrees Celsius.

Question 12

How do you take body temperature?

Answer 12

With a thermometer.

Question 13

What is hypothermia?

Answer 13

When your body temp is lower than 35.

Question 14

What is hyperpyrexia?

Answer 14

A fever higher than 41.

Question 15

What affects body temperature?

Answer 15

• Time of day (Lowest early in the day and at its peak in the late afternoon due to metabolic activity, which is low when you sleep).
• Stress (Increases due to cortisol and adrenaline as adrenaline increases the heat production of the liver).
• Gender (Higher in women).

Question 16

What is capillary refill?

Answer 16

This is a way to monitor blood circulation to extremities.

Question 17

How do you check capillary refill?

Answer 17

Hold the fingertip and press down for 5 seconds. Release, and count how long it takes for the fingers full colouring to come back.

This can also be done on the torso.

Question 18

What is the normal capillary refill?

Answer 18

• It should take up to 3 seconds.
• 4-5 seconds is concerning.

Question 19

What does a long capillary refill indicate?

Answer 19

An infection, but also possibly a cold.

Question 20

What is a NEWS chart?

Answer 20

This is a chart containing sections to record a pupils observations, to monitor their condition.

Question 20

Why were NEWS charts implemented?

Answer 20

To improve the detection and response to clinical deterioration to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Question 21

What is blood pressure?

Answer 21

The force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries

Question 22

What is heart rate?

Answer 22

Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats each minute.

Question 23

What is urinary output?

Answer 23

How much urine you produce over a specific period of time.

Question 24

What is oliguria?

Answer 24

Low urine output.

Question 25

What is anuria?

Answer 25

No urine output.

Question 26

What is polyuria?

Answer 26

Excessive urine output.

Question 27

What is the normal urinary output over 24 hours?

Answer 27

800-2000ml

Question 28

How do you measure urinary output?

Answer 28

Vol of urine produced
——————————
No. hours the bag/chamber
has been on

Question 29

What is oxygen saturation?

Answer 29

It measures how much hemoglobin is currently bound to oxygen compared to how much hemoglobin remains unbound.

Question 30

What is the normal oxygen saturation?

Answer 30

95% - 100%

Question 31

How do you measure oxygen saturation?

Answer 31

With a pulse oximeter.

Question 32

What is a normal blood sugar level?

Answer 32

• 4-7 mmol/l before meals
• below 9mmol/l when tested 2 hours after meals

Question 33

How do you test blood sugar levels?

Answer 33

You prick your fingertip with a small needle called a lancet to produce a blood drop. You then place the drop against the test strip in the glucose meter, and the meter shows your blood sugar level within seconds.

Question 34

What is a blood sugar level?

Answer 34

The measure of glucose concentration in the the blood.