Vital Signs Flashcards
What is the definition of temperature?
The amount of heat in the body: a balance between the amount of heat produced and amount of heat lost
What is a normal temperature range for a healthy adult?
35.5 to 37.7 centigrade
Is 38 degrees centigrade within the normal temperature range of a healthy adult?
No. Healthy range is 35.5 to 37.7 degrees centigrade.
When is body temperature lowest?
In the morning
What are the four sites for taking temperature?
Mouth (oral), ear (tympanic), underarm (axillary), rectum (rectal)
Where is a tympanic temperature taken?
In the ear
What is the average or ideal temperature?
37 degrees centigrade
What is the best place to take temp on an infant?
Axilla/armpit
Who are rectal temps not done on?
Infants, children, anyone who is restless or confused
What is the normal temperature range for an oral thermometer?
36 to 37.5 degrees centigrade
What are three types of thermometers?
Electronic, dot matrix, temperature sensitive tape
When is an oral thermometer not used for taking temps?
If patient is unconscious, had surgery on the face, has a naso-gastric tube, has breathing challenges, is paralyzed on one side, is restless/confused/disoriented, has a sore mouth, is on oxygen, has convulsive disorder
Name three things that could affect an oral temperature
Hot or cold liquids, smoking, chewing gum
What is the definition of pulse?
The beat of your heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through
Where is the temporal pulse taken
The temple
Where is carotid pulse taken
the neck
What is the most common pulse site for infants
Brachial pulse (inside arm)
Where are pulses usually taken in an emergency?
The carotid site
Where is the radial pulse taken?
wrist
Where is the femoral pulse
groin
Where is the popliteal pulse
inner back of knee
a pulse taken at the top of the foot is called:
pedal pulse
Where is apical pulse
Chest, over heart
How is the apical pulse site different
Taken with stethoscope only, listening to heart beat directly
What is the normal pulse range for a healthy adult
60-100 BPM (beats per minute)
Name the 2 qualities of heart rates
Rhythm and Force
What are some words to describe the force of a pulse
strong, full, bounding, weak, thready, feeble
What is dysrhythmia?
An irregular heart rhythm
What is the definition of respirations?
The act of breathing air in and out
What is the unit of measurement for respirations?
RPM, respirations per minute
What is the normal respiration rate for a healthy adult
12-20 rpm
How would you describe normal respiration
quiet and effortless
Name some qualities of respirations
Depth (deep or shallow), regular or irregular, painful, noisy, wheezy, rattling, gurgling
What is the definition of blood pressure?
The amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of an artery
What are the two devices used to measure blood pressure?
Stethoscope and sphygmomanometer
What units of measurement is blood pressure measured in
mm of mercury (mmHg)
What is the normal/average/ideal blood pressure?
120 over 80
What is the top number in BP called?
systolic
What is the lower number in BP called?
diastolic
What is the normal systolic range in a healthy adult?
100 to 140
What is the normal diastolic range in a healthy adult?
60 to 90
What is the condition called when blood pressure is high?
Hypertension
What is the condition called when blood pressure is low?
Hypotension
What are the two parts of a sphygmomanometer?
The blood pressure cuff and pressure gauge
What does orthostatic mean?
A change in BP when going to an upright position
