PCM 1 ( Vital Signs) Flashcards
Can verify both the order for procedure and accuracy of requisition ?
Also help to assess the patient’s current
Checking the chart
Assessing current physical status ?
Begin with a clear understanding of the patient’s current status
Who the first and primary observer of a significant change in patient’s ?
Radiographer
To accurately assess change ? what you should do ?
First establish a baseline for the observations
Evaluate changes in patient’s condition before , during and after procedures ?
Physical Assessment
Compares the actions and appearance of current patient to other similar patients ?
Eyeballing the patient
What denotes a bluish coloration in skin and lack of sufficient oxygen ?
Cyanotic
Most seen on mucous membranes ( lips)
Considered as a form of communication and reassurance ?
Skin temperature ( Touch)
A sudden change in patient’s mental acuity considered as ?
Level of Consciousness such as
(Baseline observation)
What are the 4 levels of consciousness ?
1) alert and conscious
2) Drowsy but responsive
3) Unconscious but reactive to painful stimuli
4) Comatose
Changes may signal the onset of serious distress ?
Breathing
First sign of Respiratory distress ?
Depth and rate of respiration
What are the vital signs ?
Temperature , pulse rate , respiratory rate and blood pressure
Controlled by CNS and any significant variation from normal ?
Temperature
Reflects the rate , volume and rhythm of heart beat ?
Pulse
Measures the rate of breathing ?
Respiration
Measures the force of the heart beat and condition of blood vessels ?
Blood pressure
What is a sign of increased body metabolism ?
Fever( pyrexia or hyperthermia)
Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius ?
C= ( F-32) / 1.8
Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit ?
F= ( Cx1.8) + 32
How to obtain temperature ?
By axillary , Rectal , oral and tympanic
Oral : 98.6 F Tympanic : +1 , Axillary : -1 , Rectal : +1
pulse ?
The heart rate is measured in beats per
minute (bpm)
Tachycardia : (abnormally rapid pulse) occurs
when the heart rate is greater than 100 bpm
Average normal pulse rates in adults vary
between 60 and 100 bpm
What common site for palpation of the pulse ?
Radial artery ( Base of either thumb)
Which site is easily accessible if patient loses consciousness / difficult to count ?
Carotid Artery Pulse ( below the angle of mandible )
Which pulse may be significant when there’s is a question of compromise ?
Dorsalis pedis or pedal pulse
If the pulse is slow or irregular what you should do?
Take apical pulse ( which measurement taken by listening to the heartbeat through a
stethoscope )
What are normal rate for breathing ?
12 to 20 breaths per min
Also breath cycle refers to both inspiration and expiration
What are the 3 types of respirations ?
Dyspnea : Difficultly in breathing
Bradypnea : Slow breathing with fewer than 12 breaths per min
Tachypnea : Rapid breathing in excess of 20 breaths per min
Can result in potentially life threatening condition called shock and has low blood pressure is ?
Hypotension ( normal rate : 120/78)
Systolic : 100 to 120
Diastolic : 60 to 80
Blood pressure is measured using a stethoscope and a blood
pressure cuff ?
sphygmomanometer
What should a technologist do if you identify an abnormal vital sign in a patient?
Stop the procedure
Stabilize the patient
Call for help
Normal vital signs for adult female and male ?
37C , pulse : 60-100 , Respirations : 12-20
blood pressure : < 120
37C , pulse : 60-100 , Respirations : 12-20
Blood pressure : < 120
