Patient Assessment Flashcards

1
Q

What essential vital signs should be taken to assess the patient’s current condition?

A
  • Temperature
  • Pulse + heartbeat
  • Respiration
  • Mucous membrane colour
  • Capillary Refill Time
  • Blood pressure
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2
Q

What is the most common + accurate method of taking a patient’s temperature?

A

Rectally, with a rectal thermometer

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3
Q

What is not an acceptable method of storing thermometers, after use?

A

In a container of disinfectant, as it is very un-hygienic

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4
Q

What is the standard measurement that temperatures should be recorded at?

A

Celsius

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5
Q

What should you always apply both pre + post use of a thermometer?

A

PPE, along with WHO hand-wash

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6
Q

How long should you typically leave the thermometer in place for?

A

30 > 60 seconds or until the thermometer beeps

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7
Q

How should you disinfect a thermometer after use?

A

Wash in warm water + detergent
or
If you have applied a thermometer cover, remove this + repeat as above

Never use hot water + as can break the thermometer

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8
Q

If you’re using a mecury thermometer, what should you do prior to switching it on and off?

A

Shake the mecury down

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9
Q

How should you insert a rectal thermometer?

A
  • Gently
  • With rotating action
  • Hold against rectal canal not centrally, where fecal matter may be present
  • Read at horizontal level
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10
Q

What should you do if you recieve an abnormal reading on the thermometer?

A
  • Re-take/repeat it
  • Record
  • Report to VS
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11
Q

What should you apply to the thermometer or thermometer cover?

A

Lubrication
(KY-Jelly most common)

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12
Q

True or False.

You should perform the WHO handwash prior to to patient contact + taking the patient’s temperature

A

True

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13
Q

What should you ensure the thermometer is prior to use?

A

Clean!

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14
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Dog?

A

38.3 > 38.9 degrees celsius

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15
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Cat?

A

38.2 > 38.6 degrees celsius

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16
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Rabbit?

A

38.5 > 40 degrees celsius

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17
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Guinea Pig?

A

37.2 > 39.5 degrees celsius

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18
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Chinchilla?

A

37 > 38 degrees celsius

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19
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Chipmunk?

A

38 degrees celsius

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20
Q

During Torpor

What is the normal temperature of a Chipmunk?

A

38 degrees celsius (+ or - a few)

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21
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Gerbil?

A

37.4 > 39 degrees celsius

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22
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Rat?

A

38 degrees celsius

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23
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Syrian Hamster?

A

36.2 > 37.5 degrees celsius

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24
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Russian Hamster?

A

36 > 38 degrees celsius

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25
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Mouse?

A

37.5 degrees celsius

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26
Q

What is the normal temperature of a Ferret?

A

37.8 > 40 degrees celsius

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27
Q

What are the organs which are most susceptible to Hyperthermia?

A
  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Kidneys
  • Liver
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28
Q

What is Pyrexia also known as?

A
  • True fever
    or
  • Pyrogenic
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29
Q

What are potential causes of Hyperthermia?

A
  • General over-heating
  • Uncontrollable set point is altered
  • Core Body Temperature (CBT) due to exogenous factors
  • Exposure to endogenous heat
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30
Q

What are potential causes of Pyrexia?

A
  • Imflammatory response or infection
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31
Q

What are potential causes of Hypothermia?

A
  • Sedation
  • Anaesthetic
  • Analgesic drugs
  • Kidney disease
  • Heart disease
  • Shock
  • Lethargy
  • Injury
  • Internal bleeding
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32
Q

What is meant by Diphasic?

A

Fluctuating temperature

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33
Q

What are potential causes of Diphasic?

A

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)

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34
Q

What is CDV also known as?

A

Hard-pad Disease

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35
Q

Alongside the clinical sign of Diphasia, what discharge is accompanied with CDV?

A

Nasal + Ocular discharge

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36
Q

What 2 fingers should be used when applying light pressure to the pulse point?

A
  • Index finger
  • Middle fingers
37
Q

Why should you not use the thumb to take a pulse point?

A

The thumb has a strong pulse which can be mistaken for the patient’s pulse

38
Q

How long should you count pulse beats for per 1 minute, to get a reading?

A

Either:
* Taking the reading for 30 seconds, then x 2
* Take the reading for 15 seconda, then x 4

39
Q

What aspect should you access the Femoral artery for a pulse?

A

Medial aspect of the proximal femur

40
Q

What aspect should you access the Digital artery for a pulse?

A

Palmar aspect of carpus

41
Q

What aspect should you access the Metatarsal artery for a pulse?

A

Dorsal aspect of metatarsus

42
Q

What aspect should you access the Coccygeal artery for a pulse?

A

Ventral aspect of base of the tail

43
Q

What aspect should you access the Sub-lingual artery for a pulse?

A

Underside of tongue, for each side of the frenulum

44
Q

What does assessment of the pulse rate + quality provide?

A

An overall evaluation of the cardiovascular system

45
Q

What is the pulse rate?

A

Number of pulses within 1 minute

46
Q

What does a pulse deficit mean?

A

That the pulse rate + the heart rate are not corresponding

47
Q

What should 5 major things should you assess when taking a pulse rate?

A
  1. Quality
  2. Strength
  3. Speed
  4. Duration
  5. Abnormalities
48
Q

What can be useful to assess whilst you are palpating the patient’s pulse?

A

Asculate the heart with a stethoscope

49
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Dog?

A

70 > 140 bpm

50
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Cat?

A

100 > 200 bpm

51
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Rabbit?

A

130 > 325 bpm

52
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Guinea Pig?

A

230 > 380 bpm

53
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Chinchilla?

A

200 > 380 bpm

54
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Chipmunk?

A

264 > 296 bpm

55
Q

During Torpor

What is the normal heart rate of a Chipmunk?

A

3 > 6 bpm

56
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Gerbil?

A

260 > 600 bpm

57
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Rat?

A

310 > 500 bpm

58
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Syrian Hamster?

A

300 > 470 bpm

59
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Russian Hamster?

A

300 > 460 bpm

60
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Mouse?

A

420 > 700 bpm

61
Q

What is the normal heart rate of a Ferret?

A

420 > 700 bpm

62
Q

What are the potential causes for Tachycardia?

A
  • Congestive heart faliure
  • Splenic disease
  • Gastro-Intestinal disease
  • Heart disease
  • Myocarditis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
63
Q

What are the potential causes for Bradycardia?

A

Types of disease:
* Systemic
* GI
* Respiratory
* Neurological
* Ocular
* Sinus

64
Q

Define what is meant by Sinus Arrhythmia?

A

Normal vairation in pulse rate

65
Q

What is a weak pulse?

A

Lower circulating blood volume

66
Q

What can a weak pulse indicate?

A

Cardiac disease

67
Q

What does the body indicate when a strong + jerky pulse is produced?

A

It’s providing a temporary compensatory mechanisim

68
Q

What can a strong + jerky pulse indicate?

A
  • Reduced circulating volume
  • Congential cardiac abnormalities
69
Q

What 2 methods are used to assess the heart?

A
  1. Palpation
  2. Ausculation
70
Q

(More so a dog)

Where would you locate a heartbeat on a patient?

A
  • Between the 3rd + 6th rib
  • Left side
  • Ventral chest
71
Q

Where do you place the stethoscope on the patient to accertain a heartbeat?
+
How should you ausculate it?

A
  1. Hold stethoscope to the diaphragm
  2. Gently against chest
  3. Move cranially, caudally + ventrally = covers the base + apex of the heart
  4. Listen for 1 minute 1st = to establish quality, strength of contractions, rhythm, abnormalities, intensity + clarity
  5. Then listen for either 30 sec x 2 or 15 sexc x 4
  6. Palpate patient’s pulse stimultaneously = ensure no pulse deficit
  7. Listen to R-side of chest = hear for heart sounds or murmurs
  8. Then listen for:
    * Cranial + cadual lung fields
    * Dorsally
    * Medially
    * Ventrally
    = at Inspiration + Expiration
    = to detect abnormal lung sounds
72
Q

What 6 things should you listen for when listening to heart sounds?

A
  1. Rate
  2. Rhythm
  3. Quality
  4. Strength
  5. Extraneous sounds
  6. Timing

All alongside pulse

73
Q

What sound does the heart make when the beginning of Systole starts?

A

“Lub”

74
Q

What sound does the heart make when the end of Systole starts + the beginning of Diastole starts?

A

“Dub”

75
Q

(LUB)

What occurs during Systole?

A

The Tricuspid + Mitral valves close

76
Q

(DUB)

What occurs during end of Systole + the beginning of Diastole starts?

A

The Aortic + Pulmonic Valves Close

77
Q
A
78
Q

(Primary survery)

Name the 6 cardiovascular parameters that can be assessed from the patient

A
  1. Heart rate
  2. Pulse rate, quality + signs of deficits
  3. MM colour
  4. CRT
  5. Cardiac auscultation
  6. Evidence of severe (arterial) haemorrhaging
79
Q

(Primary survery)

Name the 4 respiratory parameters that can be assessed from the patient

A
  1. Rate
  2. Effort
  3. MM colour
  4. Thoracic wall injuries
80
Q

(Primary survery)

Name the 4 neurological parameters that can be assessed from the patient

A
  1. Consciousness
  2. Mentation
  3. Gait/Movement
  4. Cranial Nerve Responses (CNR)
81
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the 7 parameters that can be assessed from the patient’s head + neck

A
  1. Head position
  2. Eye position + general ocular examination
  3. Ears
  4. Jaw (crepitus, malalignment + asymmetry)
  5. Teeth (wear, fractures + missing)
  6. Beak (apposition, length + wear)
  7. Superficial lymph nodes
82
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the 3 parameters that can be assessed from the patient’s abdomen

A
  1. Body wall trauma (bites + punctures)
  2. Distension
  3. Herniation
83
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the 6 parameters that can be assessed from the patient’s genitourinary area

A
  1. Cloaca
  2. Vulva
  3. Anus
  4. Mammary glands
  5. Prepuce
  6. Scrotum
84
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the 3 parameters that can be assessed from the muscoskeletal section of the patient

A
  1. Palpate = length of limbs or wings
  2. Palpate = tail
  3. Manipulate all joints
85
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the 4 parameters that can be assessed from the patient’s skin + Integument

A
  1. Epidermis
  2. Feathers
  3. Coat
  4. Evidence of = bruising, bleeding + wounds, etc
86
Q

(Secondary survery)

Name the parameter that can be assessed from the patient’s lymphatic system

A
  1. Palpate superficial lymph nodes
87
Q

Name 3 other parameters which can be assessed, and are not strictly included/linked to either:
* Cardiovascular
* Respiratory
* Neurological
* Lymphatic
* Skin/Integument
* Genitourinary
* Abdominal area
* Head + neck

A
  1. Hydration status
  2. Temperature
  3. Pain
88
Q
A