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Certified Medical Assistant > Vital Signs > Flashcards

Vital Signs Flashcards

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USMLE® Step 1 flashcards
1
Q

What do vital signs consist of?

A
  • Body temperature
  • Pulse rate
  • Breathing rate
  • Blood pressure
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2
Q

What does it mean to have a fever?

A

The patient is fighting an infection inside their body

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3
Q

What does pulse measure, and what is the regular range?

A

it measures how many times the heart beats per minute.
Regular range: 60 to 100 beats per minute
Note: consider the person’s age, fitness level, etc

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4
Q

What is Respiration? What is the healthy range for adults?

A

It measures how many breaths per minute a person takes
Healthy range: 12 to 16 breaths

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5
Q

Blood Pressure

A

Measures the pressure exerted on the blood vessels
Normal blood pressure: 120/80

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6
Q

What body systems help regulate body temperature?

A

Endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary

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7
Q

Endocrine System in Relation to Body Temperature

A

Hypothalamus in the brain regulates heat production by “turning it off or on”
Ex: sweating, shivering, dilation, or constriction of blood vessels

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8
Q

Cardiovascular System in Relation to Body Temperature

A

Heat is lost through the skin because of body processes
Ex: conduction, conception, radiation, and evaporation of perspiration

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9
Q

Respiratory System in Relation to Body Temperature

A

Heat is lost through respiration

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10
Q

Urinary System in Relation to Body Temperature

A

Heat is lost by expelling urine

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11
Q

What are some ways to take body temperature?

A

Oral, Axillary (armpit), Aural (ear), Rectal, Temporal Artery (forehead)

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12
Q

Body Temperature Changes

A

Continuous: fairly constant over 24 hours, could be a fever (infection)
Remittent: significantly fluctuates in a 24-hour period
Intermittent: several waves of high temp followed by regular temp (malaria or other infection)
Relapsing: fever occurs for 5-7 days and then returns to normal temp for 5-7 days (fever caused by pathogen)

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13
Q

What causes a lower body temprature?

A

a decrease in activity, stress, depression, viral infection, dehydration, sleep, etc

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14
Q

What are some methods to take pulse?

A

Apical: heartbeat heard when using a stethoscope
Radial: palpitation at the radial artery in your wrist

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15
Q

Contractions of the heart is called ___________.

A

Pulse

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16
Q

Give some examples that could affect respiration rate

A

allergic reactions, disease, shock, high emotions, drugs/medication, exercise, etc

17
Q

Pulse and Respiration rate are measured __________.

A

At the same time

18
Q

Systolic Blood Pressure

A

measures the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart beats

19
Q

Diastolic Blood Pressure

A

measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats

20
Q

What are the Standard Patient Positions?

A

Anatomical, Sitting, Fowler’s, Semi-Fowler’s, Supine, Dorsal Recumbent, Prone

21
Q

Anatomical

A

Standing with feet together & palms facing outwards

22
Q

Fowler

A

Back at a 90 degree angle w/ legs straightened

23
Q

Semi-Fowler

A

Back at a 45 degree angle and legs extended

24
Q

Supine

A

Laying flat on your back

25
Q

Dorsal Recumbent

A

Laying flat on your back, with knees bent, and flat feet on the table

26
Q

Prone

A

Laying on your abdomen

27
Q

Assessment Methods

A

Inspection, Palpation, Auscultation, Percussion, Mensuration

28
Q

Inspection

A

Any internal or external examinations

29
Q

Palpation

A

Touching the patient to feel the surface of the body or the organs

30
Q

Auscultation

A

Listening to the parts of the body

31
Q

Percussion

A

Tapping w/ fingertips lightly but sharp to find the location and size of the organs

32
Q

Mensuration

A

Measuring parts of the body

Certified Medical Assistant (9 decks)

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