📝 Vital signs Flashcards
What are the commonly measured vital signs?
Vital signs commonly measured include body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
When should vital signs be assessed in a healthcare facility?
Vital signs should be assessed:
On admission to any healthcare facility
Routinely throughout patient admission (every 4-6 hours)
Before, during, and after surgery or invasive procedures
In conjunction with medication that may affect vital signs
Prior to calling medical staff regarding patient concerns
Prior to and following transfer between wards or healthcare facilities
Following an episode of patient deterioration
During physical examination or when “something is not quite right”
What is the normal range for core body temperature?
The normal range for core body temperature is 35.8 to 37.5°C.
What factors can affect body temperature?
Factors affecting body temperature include age, gender, stress, environmental temperatures, surgery, and hormonal changes.
How is body temperature regulated?
Core body temperature is maintained within a constant range by the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus.
What is pyrexia?
Pyrexia is an elevated core temperature above 38°C, often occurring as a response to tissue injury or trauma.
What are the characteristics of a normal pulse?
A normal pulse should have a regular rhythm, appropriate rate according to age, adequate strength, and equal characteristics between pulse points.
How is pulse rate assessed?
Pulse rate is assessed by counting the pulsations in 1 minute, typically at common sites like the radial, brachial, carotid, or femoral arteries.
What is the normal range for oxygen saturation?
The normal range for oxygen saturation is between 95-100%.
What are the two components of blood pressure?
Blood pressure consists of systolic pressure (during ventricular contraction) and diastolic pressure (during ventricular relaxation).
What is the procedure for assessing orthostatic hypotension?
The procedure involves measuring blood pressure and pulse rate first in a supine position, then sitting, and finally standing, and comparing the findings.
What are the possible causes of hypertension and hypotension?
Hypertension can result from factors such as age, diet, ethnicity, and underlying health conditions. Hypotension may result from pathology, medications, or heart failure.
How should blood pressure cuff size be chosen?
The cuff width should be about 40% of the limb’s circumference, and the bladder inside the cuff should encase 2/3 of the limb.
What are the phases of Korotkoff sounds during blood pressure measurement?
The phases include the onset of tapping sounds (systolic pressure) followed by muffled sounds, knocking sounds, and finally silence (diastolic pressure).
What are common errors in blood pressure assessment and their contributing causes?
Errors may include falsely low or high assessments due to factors like cuff size, hearing deficits, environmental noise, and incorrect technique.
How should vital signs be documented?
Vital signs should be documented graphically on an observation and response chart, including accompanying symptoms, interventions, and clear, contemporaneous notes following facility protocol.
What is the process for escalating concerns if vital signs are outside normal limits?
The process involves reassessment, informing colleagues and management, considering physician notification, explaining findings to the patient, and escalating further if necessary.
What are the normal ranges for respiratory rate across different age groups?
Normal respiratory rate ranges from 12-20 breaths per minute in adults but varies across different age groups.
What are the characteristics of normal respirations?
Normal respirations should be regular in rhythm, with adequate depth and effort.
What factors can affect respiratory rate?
Factors affecting respiratory rate include exercise, temperature, emotions, medications, pulmonary conditions, pain, and neurological damage.
Define eupnoea
Eupnoea: Normal respirations for an adult (12-20 breaths/min)
Define Bradypnoea
Bradypnoea: Slow respiratory rate (<12 breaths/min in adults)
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Define Tachypnoea
Tachypnoea: Rapid respirations (>20 breaths/min)
Define Apnoea
Apnoea: Periods of no breathing
Define Dyspnoea
Dyspnoea: Difficult or labored breathing
Define Orthopnoea
Orthopnoea: Inability to breathe lying down, preferring an upright position.
How is oxygen saturation measured, and what is the normal range?
Oxygen saturation is measured using pulse oximetry, with a normal range of 95-100%.
What are the considerations when measuring oxygen saturation in patients with chronic respiratory conditions?
Patients with chronic respiratory conditions may tolerate oxygen saturation levels between 88-94%.
Define blood pressure and its components.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the vessel walls. Its components include systolic pressure (during ventricular contraction) and diastolic pressure (during ventricular relaxation).
What are the determinants of blood pressure?
Blood pressure is influenced by cardiac output, vascular resistance, blood volume, blood viscosity, and vessel compliance.
Name some factors that can affect blood pressure measurements.
Factors affecting blood pressure measurements include age, circadian rhythm, gender, diet, ethnicity, exercise, weight, emotional state, body position, medications, and renal or neurological diseases.
What are the categories of blood pressure readings in adults?
Categories include normal, prehypertension, hypertension (stages 1, 2, and 3), low blood pressure, and hypotension.
Describe the process of escalating concerns if vital signs are outside normal limits.
The process includes reassessment, informing colleagues and management, considering physician notification, explaining findings to the patient, and potentially escalating further with MET calls or Code Blue activations.
What are the common vital sign assessment sites for measuring pulse and blood pressure?
Common sites for pulse assessment include the radial, brachial, carotid, and femoral arteries. For blood pressure measurement, the brachial and popliteal arteries are commonly used.
How is respiratory rate assessed, and for how long should it be measured?
Respiratory rate is assessed by counting breaths per minute, typically for a full minute, while ensuring the patient is unaware of the assessment.
What are the potential alterations in respiratory patterns, and what do they indicate?
Alterations include bradypnoea (slow breathing), tachypnoea (rapid breathing), apnoea (no breathing), dyspnoea (difficult breathing), and orthopnoea (difficulty breathing while lying down), each indicating different respiratory issues.
Describe the mechanism of pulse oximetry and its limitations.
Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation by passing light through capillary beds, but it may provide inaccurate results if the saturation falls below 70%.
What are the phases of Korotkoff sounds during blood pressure measurement, and what do they signify?
The phases include tapping sounds (systolic pressure onset), muffled sounds, knocking sounds, and silence (diastolic pressure cessation), representing different stages of blood flow.
What are the considerations when choosing an appropriate blood pressure cuff size?
The cuff should be about 40% of the limb’s circumference, with the bladder inside encasing 2/3 of the limb, to ensure accurate readings.
What errors can occur during blood pressure assessment, and how can they be minimized?
Errors include falsely low or high readings due to cuff size, hearing deficits, environmental noise, incorrect technique, and viewing angle. Minimization involves proper technique and equipment calibration.
What is the normal range for pulse rate across different age groups, and how does it change with age?
Pulse rate varies across different age groups, with newborns having higher rates compared to adults. For example, the normal range for adolescents to adults is 60-100 beats per minute.
Describe the characteristics of normal pulse and what they indicate about cardiovascular health.
Normal pulse characteristics include regular rhythm, appropriate rate, adequate strength, and equality between pulse points, indicating effective cardiovascular function.
What factors can affect pulse rate, and how do they influence cardiovascular health?
Factors such as exercise, temperature, emotions, medications, and underlying health conditions can affect pulse rate, reflecting the body’s response to various stimuli and overall cardiovascular health.
Explain the significance of tachycardia and bradycardia in relation to cardiac output.
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and bradycardia (slow heart rate) can both affect cardiac output, with tachycardia potentially increasing cardiac workload and bradycardia reducing cardiac efficiency.
How does blood pressure relate to cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance?
Blood pressure is influenced by both cardiac output (the amount of blood ejected from the heart) and peripheral vascular resistance (the resistance to blood flow in the arteries), reflecting the balance between blood flow and resistance in the circulatory system.
