Vital Signs Flashcards
are an objective
measurement of the essential
physiological functions of a human
being.
Vital signs
include heart rate, respiration
(breathing rate), blood pressure, and
temperature.
Vital signs
e - is the
temperature of the deep tissues
of the body and is relatively
constant.
Core Temperature
- is the
temperature of the skin,
subcutaneous and fat.
Surface Temperature
- Basal Metabolic Rate
- Muscle Activity
- Thyroxine Output
- Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and
Sympathetic Stimulation - Fever
Factors that affect heat production of the body
- Radiation
- Nonduction
- Convection
- Evaporation
Factors that affect heat loss
● The Normal Range of body temperature
is
36.5-37.5 C
temperature below 36 C
Hypothermia
temperature between 37.5-39.5 C
Pyrexia, Hyperthermia, Fever
temperature above 41 C
Hyperpyrexia-
is the wave of blood created by
the Left Ventricle of the heart expressed
as BPM.
Pulse
The normal range for cardiac output is
about
4-8 liters per minute
This site is superior and
lateral to the eye. It is used when the
radial pulse is not accessible
. Temporal
t the side which is located at
the side of the neck where the carotid
artery runs between the trachea and the
sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is used
during cardiac arrest or shock in adults,
and it is also used to determine
circulation to the brain.
Carotid
This is located at the apex of
the heart or at the point of maximal
impulse. The apical is routinely used for
infants and children up to 3 years of
age. It is used to determine
discrepancies with radial pulse and it is
received in conjunction with some
medications, so for example you will be
giving your Digitalis or Lanoxin, you
need to check the apical pulse of the
client.
Apical
The site is at the inner
aspect of the biceps muscle of the arm
or medially in the antecubital space.
Brachial pulse is used to measure blood
pressure, this is also used during cardiac
assessment or cardiac arrest for infants.
. Brachial
It is located where the radial
artery runs along the radial bone, on the thumb side of the inner aspect of the
wrist. We commonly assess the pulse
rate of our patient at the radial pulse
site, this is readily accessible.
. Radial
It is located where the
femoral artery passes alongside the
inguinal ligament. It is used in cases of
cardiac arrest or shock, it is also used to
determine circulation to the leg
Femoral
- It is located at the area
where the popliteal artery passes behind
the knee. This is used to determine
circulation to the lower leg
Popliteal
t is located on the
medial surface of the ankle where the
posterior tibial artery passes behind the
medial malleolus. It is used to
determine circulation to the foot
Posterior Tibial -
- It is located where the
dorsalis artery passes over the bones of
the foot, on an imaginary line drawn
from the middle of the ankle to the
space between the big and the second
toes. The dorsalis pedis is used to
determine circulation to the foot.
Dorsalis Pedis -
- more than 100
beats per minute in an adult
Tachycardia
- less than 60 beats
per minute in an adult
Bradycardia
- A pulse with an
irregular rhythm is referred to as
dysrhythmia or arrhythmia.
It may
consist of random irregular beats
or a predictable pattern of
irregular beats.
○ Regularly Irregular
- force of blood with each
beat
Pulse Volume (Pulse strength /
amplitude)
A forceful or
full blood volume that is
obliterated only with difficulty.
Full bounding pulse
- mode of breathing
that requires contraction of intercostal
muscles, as the intercostal muscles
relax, air passively leaves the lungs. This
type of breathing is also known as
Shallow Breathing.
Costal / Thoracic
- mode of breathing
that requires the diaphragm to contract
and as the diaphragm relaxes, air
passively leaves the lungs. This type of
breathing is also known as Deep
Breathing
Diaphragmatic
- normal rate and depth of
breathing
Eupnea
- abnormally fast breathing
Tachypnea
- abnormally slow
breathing
. Bradypnea -
- the absence of breathing
Apnea
difficult and labored
breathing
Dyspnea -
- ability to reach only in
upright sitting or standing position
Orthopnea
can be established by
watching the movement of the chest
and can be described as normal, deep
or shallow. You only need to observe the
rise and fall during ventilation or
breathing.
Depth -
can be described as regular
or irregular. Normal respirations are
evenly spaced, normal breathing is also
silent and children’s respiration may be
less regular than adults. Observe
whether it is evenly spaced is
considered regular, if it is unevenly
spaced it is considered irregular
Rhythm -
can be described as normal,
effortless breathing or labored
breathing.
Quality
over-expansion of
the lungs characterized by rapid and
deep breaths.
Hyperventilation -
under-expansion of
the lungs, characterized by shallow
respirations.
Hypoventilation
- a shrill, harsh sound heard
during inspiration.
Stridor
continuous, high-pitched
musical whistling sound occurring on
expiration.
Wheeze
snoring respiration.
Stertor -
gurgling sounds heard as air
passes through moist secretions in the
respiratory tract
Crackles
- signs that the body does not
receive enough air which cause increased
effort during inhalation
Retractions
indrawing
between the ribs.
Intercostal Retraction
- indrawing
between the breastbone.
Substernal Retraction
- indrawing
above the sternum.
Suprasternal Retraction
the presence of blood in
the sputum.
Hemoptysis
a cough
accompanied by expectorated
secretions.
Productive Cough -
