physical measurements Flashcards
1
Q
what is the purpose of taking a peak flow?
A
- to measure how quickly someone can blow air out into their lungs.
- to monitor asthma; showing the narrowing of airways can be an early indication of asthma attacks.
- to see whether peak flow scores are in the normal range (400-700 litres)
2
Q
what is the normal range for an adult in peak flow score?
A
400-700 litres per minute
3
Q
how to you take a peak flow?
A
- Put the marker at zero/the base of the meter
- stand up
- take a deep breath
- seal lips around mouthpiece
- blow out hard and fast as you can into the peak flow meter
- Note the reading
- Repeat it 3 times
- Note down the highest reading of the 3 attempts
4
Q
what is the purpose of taking someones height?
A
- to assess growth and development in children by tracking growth patterns and identifying any growth issues.
- to calculate dmi to see whether weight is overweight, underweight etc
- determine appropriate diagnoses for medication
- monitor chronic conditions by tracking changes overtime that may indicate health problems.
5
Q
how do you measure height?
A
- Gather a stadiometer ready
- prepare the area by ensuring it is flat and the meter is against the wall.
- prepare the patient by explaining the procedure and ensuring consent. Remove their shoes, and ensure that they are standing straight.
- Position the measuring tool by putting the head piece ontop of the head.
- take the measurement by recording the height to the nearest inch or millimetre.
- record height in health record
6
Q
what is the purposes of taking someones weight?
A
- assessing BMI to see whether overweight/underweight/normal to gain insight into health risks, and help set goals for lifestyle changes.
- monitor growth and development in children and see any growth issues
- evaluate health risks, such as obesity can increase chance of heart disease, underweight with malnutrition etc
-determine appropriate medication dosages
7
Q
how do u take someones weight?
A
- Gather the weighing scale on a flat, even surface
- Prepare the individual - remove any heavy clothing and shoes, give an explaination and ensure consent
- Position the individual by ensuring they step on the scale with both feet evenly on scale and are standing straight.
- take the measurement once the scale has stabilised
- record the weight, time and date in health records.
8
Q
what is the purpose of taking blood pressure?
A
- detect health problems, such as identifying high and low blood pressure which could be indications for health conditions by routine checks
- monitor heart health to see how the heart is functioning and whether it is under stress. Also track how the heart is either worsening or improving.
- evaluating the effectiveness of treatments
- assessing risk factors, such as assess risk of heart disease and other conditions so they can be managed as soon as possible.
9
Q
How do you take blood pressure?
A
- Gather a heart monitor
- Prepare the patient - give explanation, ensure consent, that they are sitting relaxed with feet on floor. That they have rested for a few minutes before taking reading
- Position the cuff around the upper arm.
- Locate the brachial artery inside of the elbow, placing a stethoscope over it to listen to blood flow.
- Inflate the cuff
- Listen and record the SYSTOLIC PRESSURE and the DIASTOLIC PRESSURE, and record the readings.
10
Q
Why do we take someone’s temperature?
A
- To detect fevers or infections by identifying higher-than-normal temperatures
- Evaluating response to treatment. Measuring temp helps evaluate how a treatment is working such as a decrease in temp. Allows doctors to adjust medication.
- Monitoring individuals’ health: Regularly taking temp provides baseline info abt normal body temperature to help identify any significant changes in the future that indicates health problems.
- Ensuring safe care: Infection control by identifying contagious infections
11
Q
How to take temperature?
A
- Gather equipment: Ear thermometer that functions properly
- prepare the individual: Sitting down, explained what’s going to happen, consent
- Turn on thermometer: Attach the disposable cover, straighten the ear canal by pulling the top of the ear.
- Insert the thermometer into the ear canal and point it towards the eardrum. Press button and wait for reading
- Remove the thermometer and record the result.
12
Q
What’s the normal temperature range?
A
36.1 - 37.5 degrees Celsius.
13
Q
Why do we measure BMI?
A
- categorising weight to indicate health risks associated with weight (obesity, malnutrition)
- identifying health risks: High BMI = heart disease, diabetes. Low BMI = malnutrition + weakened immune system.
- Monitoring changes overtime: tracking weight management to track weight gain/loss progress overtime.
- Guiding lifestyle interventions: develop personalised health and nutrition plans and recommend lifestyle changes.
- Assessing growth and development in children to see if they are growing at a healthy rate.
14
Q
How to take BMI?
A
- Gather equipment: weighing scale and measuring tool
- Explain procedure and make sure they consent
- Measure weight: make sure they are standing on scale evenly without any heavy clothing. Record weight in KG
- Measure Height: Standing straight against a wall without shoes. Record in MM or CM
- Calculate the BMI: divide the weight in kg by the height in metres squared.
- interpret the BMI result by comparing to the BMI catergories.
- Record Result.
15
Q
Why do we record respiratory rate?
A
- Assessing respiratory health - indicates a person’s overall wellbeing. Abnormal respirate rate can indicate underlying health issues (Asthma, COPD)
- Detecting illnesses - Increased = fever, anxiety
Decreased = respiratory depression - Evaluating response to treatment
- Give healthcare professionals indication of severity of emergencies and the individuals condition
16
Q
How to take respiratory rate?
A
- Prepare the individual: At rest + relaxed. Explain, consent
- Positioning: Sit or lying comfortably so breathing patterns aren’t disrupted.
- Observe and time breathing: Watch chest and use timer to count the number of breaths for 60 seconds.
- Record respiratory rate: Record the bpm and note any irregularities.
17
Q
What are the normal respiratory rates?
A
12-20 beats per minute
18
Q
Why do we take pulse?
A
- Monitoring heart function: Reflects health of cardiovascular system and heart health. Recognise underlying problems such as heart disease.
- Assessing health status: Elevated = fever, infection, dehydration. Low = heart block
- Detecting signs of medical emergencies: Early signs of heart attacks and help with rapid response.
- Tracking physical fitness: track improvements in fitness and identify when heart is under stress.
19
Q
How do we take pulse?
A
- Prepare patient: explain, consent. Sitting down relaxed.
- Identify the pulse point: Radical pulse located on thumb side of the wrist below base of thumb
- Place your fingers: Use index and middle finger to gently place over the pulse.
- Count the beats for 60 seconds to determine BPM
- Observe rhythm and strength: Regular/irregular, strong/weak
- Record results: Document in BPM and note any concerns.
20
Q
what is the normal pulse rate?
A
60-100 BPM
