Vital signs Flashcards
Why take vital signs?
baseline info
assess medical status
screen for undiagnosed conditions
refer to physician
what are examples of vital signs? (6)
temperature
blood pressure
pulse rate
respiratory rate
height/weight
finger prick blood glucose
Where are locations that temperature can be checked? (6)
forehead rectal (most accurate)
oral (comft & easy)
tympanic (comf but less accurate)
axillary (takes 4 min & least accurate)
core (most accurate but invasive)
what is the normal body temp?
37 C or 98.6 F
mean daily temp can differ by ___C
0.5 C
what is the variation range of mean daily temp
0.25-0.5 C
normal rectal temp is usually ___ to ___ C greater than oral temp
0.27 to 0.38 C
axillary temp is about _____ more/less than oral temp
0/55 LESS
febrile
having or showing symptoms of a fever
when is a patient considered febrile?
when oral temp exceeds 37.5 C or 99.5 C
or rectal emp exceeds 38 C or 100.5 F
term applied to a febrile state when the temp exceeds 41.1 C or 106 F
hyperpyrexia
condition where a rectal temp is 35 C or 95 F
hypothermia
what is blood pressure
pressure exerted on the arterial walls that changes with heartbeat
during systole (contract) = higher bp
during diastole (at rest) = lower bp
what happens if blood in arteries thickens?
heart will have to pump harder during systole to push the blood through the arteries
ex. high salt diet bc it promotes water retention and extra fluid increases blood volume
what happens to bp when you’re stressed?
bp rises because epinephrine and other hormones are released which cause artery walls to thicken thus constricting blood flow
what is peripheral circulation
concerned with the transport of blood, blood flow distribution, exchange between blood and tissue, and storage of blood (venous system).
what does systolic pressure measure?
pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (left ventricle contracts)
represents the top number 120/80
what does diastolic pressure measure?
the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes or in between heartbeats (when left ventricle relaxes and refills)
represents the bottom number 120/80
auscultatory method
based on the detection of Korotkoff sounds issued from the acoustic transudcer signal.
oscillometric method
measuring bp with electronic device using a cuff around the upper arm
korotkoff sounds
generated when a blood pressure cuff changes the flow of blood through the artery
how many phases of korotkoff sounds are there?
5
what does the first phase of korotkoff sounds indicate and how does it sound
sharp tapping
indicates the systolic pressure
what does the second phase of korotkoff sounds indicate and how does it sound
swishing sounds as blood flows through the blood vessels as cuff is inflated
what does the third phase of korotkoff sounds indicate and how does it sound
softer thumping than in phase 1
cuff is still inflated
what does the fourth phase of korotkoff sounds indicate and how does it sound
softer blowing muffler sound that fades as cuff air is released
what does the fifth phase of korotkoff sounds indicate and how does it sound
silence
hypertension stage 1
systolic 130-139 OR diastolic 80-89
hypertension stage 2
systolic 140 or higher OR diastolic 90 or higher
hypertensice crisis
systolic higher than 180 and/or diastolic higher than 120
orthostatic hypotension
a form of low blood pressure when patient goes from lying down to sitting down or vice versa
bp falls by 20 or pulse increases by 20bpm
what is a cause of orthostatic hypotension?
dehydration
certain medication may cause this
fever
prolonged bed rest
what is pulse rate
peripheral measurement of heart rate, rhythm, and strength measured for 60sec at rest
what is a normal pulse rate?
60-90 beats/min
what is the avd adult pulse rate?
72 beats/min
what is the normal pulse rate of infants
100+ bpm
normal pulse rate for children
90-100bpm
normal pulse rate for elderly
70-80 bpm
what are some pulse points
radial
brachial
carotid
temporal
what to document when checking pulse?
rate
rhythm
force
location of detection
bradypnea
abnormal slowing of respiration
tachypnea
abnormal increase of respiration
apena
temporary cessation of respiration
hyperpnea
increase depth of breathing, usually associated with metabolic acidosis
what is the normal range of respiratory rate?
what is the avd adult rate?
12-20 cycles/min
avg adult = 14 cycles
hyperglycemia
high blood sugar
requent urination
high levels of sugar in urine
increased thirst
hypoglycemia
feeling weak
blurred/impaired vision
tingling or numbness in lips, tongue or cheeks
headaches
hunger
