Vital signs 2

Question 1

Safety Precautions when using Thermometers

Answer 1

• Hold Thermometers in Place: Ensure rectal and axillary thermometers are held securely.
• Stay with Patient: Remain with the patient while taking their temperature.
• Shake Liquid Thermometers: Shake the liquid in glass thermometers down before use, away from the patient and hard objects.
• Clean Thermometers: Wipe from end to tip before reading.
• Delay Oral Temperature: Wait 10-15 minutes if the patient has been smoking, eating, or drinking hot/cold liquids.

Question 2

Checking Temperature Sites by Age Group Birth to 2 Years

Answer 2

Rectal, Axillary.

Question 3

Checking Temperature Sites by Age Group Over 2 to 5 Years

Answer 3

Rectal, Tympanic, Axillary.

Question 4

Older than 5 Years

Answer 4

Oral, Tympanic, Axillary.

Question 5

Normal Temperature Ranges
Adults

Answer 5

Axillary: 36-37.4°C

Oral: 36.5-37.5°C

Rectal: 37-38.1°C

Question 6

Normal Temperature Ranges Children

Answer 6

Axillary: 34.7-37.3°C

Oral: 35.5-37.5°C

Rectal: 36.6-38°C

Question 7

Normal Temperature Ranges infants

Answer 7

Axillary: 36.3-37.4°C

Oral: 37-37.9°C

Question 9

Sites for Taking Pulse (Part 2)

Answer 9

• Popliteal: Behind knee
• Dorsalis Pedis: Top of foot
• Apical Pulse: Over apex of heart (taken with stethoscope, left side of chest)

Question 10

Factors Affecting Pulse

Answer 10

Age, Sex, Position, Drugs, Emotions, Activity level, Temperature, Fever, Caffeine

Question 10

Normal Pulse Rates

Answer 10

• Newborn: 70-190 beats/min
• Infant (>1 month): 80-160 beats/min
• Toddler: 80-130 beats/min
• Preschooler: 80-120 beats/min
• School-age: 75-110 beats/min
• Adolescent: 60-90 beats/min
• Adult: 60-100 beats/mi

Question 10

Methods of pulse Assessment

Answer 10

1. Palpation: Use 2nd & 3rd fingers of one hand.
2. Auscultation: The “lub-dub” sound makes one heartbeat. (use stethoscope)

Question 11

Procedure for Measuring Pulse ( Equipment)

Answer 11

• Stethoscope,
• wristwatch with a second hand,
• record for documentation.

Question 12

Procedure for Measuring Pulse (steps)

Answer 12

1. Explain procedure,
2. wash hands, position patient,
3. place fingertips along the groove at the base of the thumb,
4. press on the artery of interest and release to feel pulse, assess regularity and strength,
5. count for 60 seconds, chart reading, communicate findings.

Question 13

Documenting pulse rate

Answer 13

• Noted as number of beats per minute
• Rhythm-regular or irregular
• Volume-strong, weak, thread, bounding