Vital signs Flashcards
vital signs
clinical measurements that indicate the state of a patient’s essential body physiological functions.
Examples of Vital Signs
- Temperature (T): Reflects the body’s ability to generate and get rid of heat.
- Pulse (P): Measures the number of heartbeats per minute.
- Respirations ®: Indicates the number of breaths a person takes per minute.
- Blood Pressure (BP): Measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it around the body.
Importance of Vital Signs
- Baseline Information: Provide initial data about a patient’s health.
- Problem Identification: Help identify patient problems and assist in planning care.
- Condition Monitoring: Play a crucial role in monitoring a patient’s condition.
- Critical Information: Provide vital information necessary for life.
- Intervention Evaluation: Help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
When to Measure Vital Signs
- On admission to the hospital.
- Prior to and post-surgery.
- Before, during, and after administering certain drugs (e.g., contrast media in radiography).
- As necessary, depending on the patient’s condition.
Guidelines for Measuring Vital Signs 1
- Know Normal Readings: Familiarize yourself with normal readings for each parameter.
- Ensure Working Equipment: Make sure the equipment is functional and age-appropriate.
- Take Proper History: Include drug history in the patient’s history.
Guidelines for Measuring Vital Signs 2
- Know Usual Ranges: Understand the patient’s usual range of vital signs.
- Control Environment: Consider factors like room temperature and patient stress.
- Analyze and Document: Interpret and document the results.
- Communicate Readings: Share the readings with the patient and other caregivers.
how is temperature regulated in the body
- Regulated by the Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus in the brain regulates body temperature.
What mechanisms are employed to regulate temperature as triggered by the hypothalamus.
Mechanisms: Includes vasoconstriction/dilation, sweating/shivering, and sweat gland activity.
Factors Affecting Heat Production and Loss
- Heat Production:
Metabolism, muscle activity, hormones (e.g., thyroxin, epinephrine). - Heat Loss:
Sweating, dehydration, exposure, respiration.
Factors Affecting Temperature
Exercise,
hormones,
age,
time of day,
medication,
fluids,
infection,
emotions/stress,
hydration,
clothing,
environment,
smoking, and alcohol.
Methods of Heat Loss
- Conduction: Heat transfer from one object to another.
- Convection: Heat dispersion through air currents.
- Radiation: Heat transfer without contact.
- Evaporation: Heat transfer through moisture evaporation from the respiratory tract, mouth, and skin.
Types of Thermometers:
Mercury, electronic/digital, armpit, infrared
Oral Temperature Measurement
- Use a mercury thermometer,
- Shake it until the mercury reaches its lowest point
- Place it under the tongue and wait 3-4 minutes before reading.
- Read at eye level & record
temperature
Sites for Checking Temperature
- Oral,
- axilla,
- rectal,
- tympanic
Axillary Temperature Measurement
- Place the thermometer in the armpit
- Let the patient close his/her arm and wait for the reading.
