Vital Signs Flashcards
What are the four main vital signs?
Respiratory rate (RR), pulse (HR), temperature, and blood pressure (BP).
What temperature is considered fever?
38.9 C
What is the relationship between metabolic rate and temperature?
An increase in temperature will increase the metabolic rate (increase O2 consumption and CO2 production, increase in RR and HR); the opposite is true for lowering the body temperature
Define hypothermia and list some symptoms.
A body temperature below normal. Shivering, peripheral vasoconstriction, slow and shallow breathing.
What is the normal respiratory rate?
12-20 breaths per minute
What is the normal adult heart rate?
60-120 beats per minute
Define pulsus paradoxis?
When the strength of the pulse decreases as the patient inhales.
Define pulsus alternans?
When you can find both strong and weak pulses.
What is the normal range of adult blood pressure?
systolic: 90-130
diastolic: 60-85
What is the pulse pressure?
The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures. Normal difference is 35-40 mmHg
Define hypertension.
A BP over 140/90 mmHg
What are some risks of hypertension?
Heart, vascular, and renal disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease.
Define hypotension.
A BP of less than 90/60 mmHg.
What are some symptoms and risks of hypotension?
Dizziness, fainting.
What are some causes of hypotension?
Left ventricular failure, blood loss, peripheral vasodilation, and orthostatic hypotension.
What is a Karotkoff sound?
The sound the blood makes as it re-enters the artery after being occluded by a BP cuff, indicating the systolic pressure.
How do you find the diastolic BP?
When the Karotkoff sounds cease is where the diastolic pressure is.
How much of the arm should a BP cuff cover?
Approximately 2/3rds of the upper arm.
How does pulsus paradoxis affect the BP?
Systolic BP will decrease more than 10mmHg during inhalation.
Define bradypnea and list some causes.
Slower than normal breathing.
Define tachypnea.
Faster than normal breathing.
Define hypotension.
Low blood pressure.
Define eupnea
Normal rate and depth of breathing.
Define hypopnea.
Decreased depth of breathing.
Define hypopnea.
Increased depth of breathing.
