Physical Measurements

Question 1

What is the ‘Normal’ range for systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults?

Answer 1

Ideal - 120/80mmHg

Systolic only counted on NEWS 2 - Value of 111-219 doesnt score on the scale.

NHS health check - 90/60mmHg to 140/90mmHg is ‘Normal’.

Question 2

Define blood pressure, including systolic and diastolic.

Answer 2

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the arterial vessel walls. It is measured in mmHg and is presented in two values;

• Systolic is the maximum pressure exerted on the vessel wall, during ventricular contraction.
• Diastolic is the resting pressure, exerted on the walls when the ventricles are not contracting.

Question 3

State three signs of hypertension.

Answer 3

(Increased BP : I.e. 140/90)

1. Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
2. Headaches
3. Chest pain
4. Vision problems

Question 4

What are the risks of hypertension.

Answer 4

Damaged and narrow arteries, decreasing the flow.
Increased risk of a stroke, aneurysm, coronary artery disease or eye damage.
Enlarged left heart.

Question 5

State three signs of hypotension.

Answer 5

(Low blood pressure: I.e. 90/60)

1. Blurred vision
2. Fainting
3. Dizziness
4. Increased falls

Question 6

What is the ‘Normal’ range for heart rate in adults.

Answer 6

51 - 90 bpm scores 0 on NEWS 2.

> 100bpm increased HR = Tachycardic
< 50bpm decreased HR = Brachycardic
(Athletes and the elderly can have a low HR as their ‘Norm’.)

Question 7

Define Tachycardia.

Answer 7

An abnormally rapid HR (>100bpm)

Question 8

Define Brachycardia.

Answer 8

Abnormally slow HR (<50bpm)

Question 9

State five sites to palate a pulse.

Answer 9

1. Radial (wrist)
2. Brachial (inner crease of elbow)
3. Carotid (neck)
4. Femoral (groin)
5. Popliteal (behind knee)
6. Posterior tibial (ankle)
7. Dorsalis pedis (big toe)

Question 10

What is the ‘Normal’ range for body temperature I’m an adult.

Answer 10

36°c to 37.5°c

NEWS 2 doesn’t score with values between 36.1°c and 38°c.

Question 11

Define hypothermia.

Answer 11

Abnormally low body temperature. (<35°c)

Question 12

Define hyperthermia.

Answer 12

Abnormally high body temperature. (>38°c)

Results when the hypothalamic regulation of the body temperature is overwhelmed and an uncontrolled increase of body temperature exceeds the body’s ability to lose heat.

Question 13

Define pyrexia.

Answer 13

Fever: abnormally high body temperature due to the presence of pyrogen (released during an infection).
Pyrexia is a type of hyperthermia.

Question 14

Define apyrexia.

Answer 14

Absence or intermission (pause/break) from fever.

Question 15

State three reasons why a patient may have pyrexia.

Answer 15

1. Bactrial Infection
2. Virus
3. Certain medications (I.e. antibiotics)
4. Vaccinations
5. Sepsis

Question 16

State three reasons why a patient has hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Answer 16

Hypothermia:

1. Cold exposure forong periods of time
2. Low blood sugar
3. Shock

Hyperthermia:

1. Heat stroke
2. Reduced sweating due to medications (I.e. diuretics)
3. Sepsis

Question 17

What is the ‘Normal’ respiratory rate range in adults

Answer 17

12-20 (Key indicator)

Question 18

Define bradypneoa

Answer 18

Abnormally slow breathing rate.

Question 19

Define tachypnoea

Answer 19

Abnormally fast/rapid breathing rate.

Question 20

State three reasons why a patient has bradypnoea and tachypnoea.

Answer 20

Bradypnoea:

1. Due to medications (I.e. anethisia or morphine).
2. Choking
3. Loss of consciousness
4. Brainstem injury

Tachypnoea:

1. Shock
2. Athsma attack
3. COPD

Question 21

Normal range of oxygen saturation in adults.

Answer 21

About or equal to 96% oxygen saturation.

COPD 88%-92% or about 93% on oxygen.

Question 22

Define oxygen saturation.

Answer 22

The concentration of oxygen attached to haemoglobin.

Question 23

Define hypoxia.

Answer 23

Abnormally low oxygen saturation.
Inadequate level of oxygen in the tissue.
Oxygen deficiency.

Question 24

State three signs of hypoxia.

Answer 24

1. Colour (cyanosis)
2. Confusion
3. Shortness of breath

Question 25

State thee reasons for an inaccurate oxygen saturation reading.

Answer 25

1. Patient moving.
2. Nail polish.
3. Anemia (low haemoglobin. Oxygen saturation will show a high reading despite the lack of haemoglobin. The reading represents that the haemoglobin present is saturated well.)
4. Carbon monoxide poisoning: pulse oximetre can’t distinguish between the haemoglobin attached to oxygen and those attached to carbon monoxide. It just gives a reading for the conc9of haemoglobin occupied.