Vital Signs

Question 1

What are the normal adult VS ranges?

Answer 1

T-96.7-100.5
HR 60-100
Resp 12-20
BP 120/80
O2 >95

Question 2

When should you asses a pts vital signs ?

Answer 2

When there is a change in the patients condition
Before administering any med that affects the cardiopulmonary system

Question 3

What is another word for fever ?

Answer 3

Pyrexia

Question 4

What are some types of fevers?

Answer 4

Neurogenic fever- the result of damage to the hypothalamus due to inter cranial trauma, pressure or bleeding
- does not respond to antipyretic meds

FUO- a fever of >101 for longer than 3 weeks with no cause

Question 5

What are the effects a fever can have on you

Answer 5

Hot, Thirsty, Flushed, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue
Will increase HR and RR

Question 6

What are some ways to treat a fever?

Answer 6

Antipyretic drugs
Treating what is causing it
Ice pack or cool sponge bath
Fluids to prevent hydration

Question 7

What are the effects of a low body temp ?

Answer 7

Slurred speech
Hallucinations
Poor coordination
Amnesia
Decrease HR and RR

Question 8

What’s a rule of taking a oral temp ?

Answer 8

Wait 15-30 min after a pt has eaten anything hot, cold or has been smoking

Question 9

What regulates your pulse and what occurs when pulse is stimulated?

Answer 9

Sa node
Parasympathetic- decrease HR
Sympathetic- increase HR

Question 10

What is tachycardia and how does that affect the pulse?

Answer 10

Rapid heart rate (100-180 BPM)
results in a decreased cardiac filling time which will decrease SV AND CO

Question 11

What is bradycardia?

Answer 11

< 60 bpm

Question 12

What is the pulse amplitude and rhythm?

Answer 12

The quality (how strong the LV is contracting)
0 absent
+1 diminished
+2 normal
+3 bounding

Question 13

What is a dysarthria?

Answer 13

Irregular heart beat

Question 14

When and how should you palpate the carotid artery’s?

Answer 14

Used mostly for emergencies
One side at a time to not cut off blood flow

Question 15

What is tachypnea?

Answer 15

increase breathing rate > 24
- Any condition causing an increase in CO2 and a decrease in O2 in the blood
- Ex; pneumonia or hyperventilation

Question 16

What are some factors that would affect RR?

Answer 16

Exercise
smoking
respiratory diseases
age
anemia
increased altitude

Question 17

What is bradypnea and when does it occur

Answer 17

decrease breathing rate <10 breaths/min
- Increase in intracranial pressure
- Opioids

Question 18

The depth of respiratory varies from?

Answer 18

shallow to deep

Question 19

What is blood pressure?

Answer 19

The force of the blood against the arterial walls
creates a continuous pressure wave

Question 20

What is systole/ diastole ?

Answer 20

Systole- the highest point of pressure on the arterial walls happens during contracting
Diastole- the lowest point of pressure on the arterial walls

Question 21

What factors help determine BP?

Answer 21

the cardiac output and the peripheral resistant

Question 22

WHat are some factors that can affect BP?

Answer 22

Age
Weight
Diet
Race
Emotional State
Medications

Question 23

What is hypertension?

Answer 23

aka the silent killer
results in a permanent thickening of the blood vessels

Question 24

WHat are some symptoms of hypotension?

Answer 24

dizziness
tachycardia
sweating
blurred vision
nausea
confusion

Question 25

What is orthostatic hypotension?

Answer 25

The decrease in BP when sitting to standing

can be caused by dehydration or blood loss

Question 26

What will happen if the Bp cuff does not fit the patinet?

Answer 26

if cuff is too big BP will read low
If cuff is too narrow- BP very high