Vital signs Flashcards
What are vital signs
Vital signs tell a patients current status so that future changes can be identified and compared.
vital signs idicate a patients presnt status so that future changes can be identified and compared
Whe are vital signs taken and when are they taken more frequently
upon admission and twice per day
when a patiet has retured from the theatre and when they are critically ill.
list the components of vital signs
tempersture
pulse
blood pressure
respiration
Define temperature
temperature is the state of warmth or coldness of a substace or body when compared to a standard
name three thermometers and their uses
slender bulb -oral
stubby bulb -oral and axillary
pear shaped bulb-rectal
List 6 factors affecting temperature
age
menstrual cycle
climatic conditions
surroundings
fever
excersise
what is the normal body temperature
what is the range
36.9c or 98f
36.1-37.2c or 97-99f
list and explain the 4 types of pyrexia
continuous - very little variation
remittent- varies but never reaches normal during 24 hrs
nonremittent- varies between normal and subnormal for 1 to 3 days
inverse fever- higher during the day and low at night
list and explain the terms used to descrbe temperture fall
crisis- sudden return to normal
lysis- gradual drop to normal over a 2 to 10 day period
rigors- violent shivering attack due to disturbances in the heat regulating mechanisms
What is pulse
pulse is the wave of expansion felt at an elastic artery.
name the pulse location
temporal
brachial
radical
femoral
carotid pulse
dorsolis pedis
temple
inner elbow
inner thumb side of the wrist
the groin
side of the neck
top of foot
what term is used to describe fast pulse rate and slow pulse rate
fast- tachycardia
slow- brachycardia