Temperature, Pulse, Respiration and Blood Pressure Flashcards
Why should temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure be monitored?
to pick up any abnormal readings
helps to identify any trends or changes which could lead to interventions
What are the normal temperature ranges for a dog?
38.3 - 39.2 C
What are normal temperature ranges for a cat?
38.2 - 38.6 C
What are normal temperature ranges for a horse?
38 - 38.2 C
What are the 6 types of thermometer?
digital mercury biotherm oesphegeal rectal aural
What must you ensure happens before a mercury thermometer is used?
mercury is shaken down to the end
What is an issue with mercury thermometers?
easily broken, presents health and safety issue to staff and patient
Why is a digital thermometer preferable to a mercury one?
safer, quicker, more pleasant for patient and easier to read
What is a biotherm thermometer?
thermometer inserted into microchip and placed at the time of micro-chipping patient. Placed in the scruff.
patient is scanned for chip with biotherm scanner and temperature shown at the same time
Why should you take a patients temperature?
determine the presence of abnormailities
guide as to patients health status
Which patients should have their temperatures monitored?
all
what is pyrexia?
increase in body temperature due to fever
What is hypothermia?
low body temperature
What is hyperthermia?
raised body temperature due to environmental factors
What is the proper procedure for restraint of patient for temperature and pulse recording?
arm under patients neck, hold head close to your chest
other arm under patients abdomen to lift into standing position
hold patients body close to your chest
do not allow to sit down
Describe how to take a rectal temperature
have a colleague restrain the patient correctly
if using a mercury thermometer shake down mercury or if using a digital thermometer turn it on
lubricate the thermometer
insert the thermometer into the rectum with a twisting motion
with thermometer flat, push it towards the dorsal aspect of the rectum to avoid being in faeces
hold thermometer in place for 30 secs to 1 minute (digital thermometer will usually beep when finished)
gently remove and wipe with cotton wool
hold the thermometer horizontal and read off figure
record figure on patient records
clean and disinfect end of thermometer
shake down mercury or reset digital thermometer
replace thermometer in storage location
Which patients should thermometers never be shared between even with disinfecting inbetween?
infectious
What is the problem with single use thermometer covers?
may reduce accuracy of reading
What are the potential causes of hyperthermia?
infection, heatstroke, convulsions, pain, excitement, clinical conditions, diseases
What are potential causes of hypothermia?
shock, circulatory collapse, impending parturition, general anesthesia
What is diphasic temperature?
fluctuating or spiking
What is pulse the overall evaluation of?
efficiency and condition of animals cardiovascular system
What is pulse the basic measurement of?
the heart rate
How can pulse be detected?
use a stethoscope to auscultate the thorax or palpate pulsations in the artery
What does a pulse correspond to?
expansion of an artery, corresponds with contraction of left ventricle of the heart as it pumps blood into the aorta and around the body
What is the normal pulse rate of a dog?
70 - 140 bpm
What is the normal pulse are of a cat?
100 - 200 bpm
What is the normal pulse rate of a horse?
32 - 44 bpm
Why is there such large variation in pulse rates within species?
larger animals will have slower pulse rates
Where can a central pulse be felt?
the femoral artery
what are the 3 types of peripheral pulses?
digital, tarsal and lingual
Where can the femoral pulse be found on an animal?
medial aspect of the femur
Where can the digital pulse be found?
palmar aspect of carpus
where can the tarsal pulse be found?
medial aspect of tarsus
where can the lingual pulse be found?
ventral aspect of the tongue
when should the lingual pulse only be used?
during anesthesia
what are peripheral pulses useful for?
early indication of peripheral shutdown
describe the process of taking a patients pulse
ask colleague to restrain patient locate artery of choice with fingers count pulsations for 15 seconds and times by 4 or count for one minute record on patients notes take note of pulse character and quality
what is sinus arrhythmia?
normal variation in rate, pulse increases with inspiration and decreases with expiration
what do weak pulses indicate?
reduced circulating blood volume or shock
what do strong and jerky pulses indicate?
reduced circulatory volume or other cardiac abnormalities but there is a temporary compensatory mechanism in place