Vital Signs Flashcards

Question

Where is the pulse palpated?

Answer 1

At body sites where an artery lies close to the skin and over a bone

Answer 2

The number of pulsating sensations occurring in 1 minute

Answer 3

The volume if blood pumped by the heart (stroke volume-SV) during 1 minute

Answer 4

Radial and carotid arteries

Answer 5

Use the pads of first 3 fingers • Apply moderate pressure • Count for 60 seconds

Answer 6

Number of beats per | minute (bpm)

Answer 7

``` Pattern of beats and intervals Regular • Irregular e.g. dysrythmia/arrythmia • Thready/bounding ```

Answer 8

``` - Force of the blood with each beat • Normal pulse can be felt with moderate pressure, occluded with heavy pressure • Strong/Weak ```

Answer 9

Infant- 120-160bpm • Child- 75-100bpm • Adult- 60-100bpm

Answer 10

``` Age • Gender • Exercise • Fever (body temperature) • Medication • Hypovolaemia • Stress • Positional changes • Pathology • Pregnancy ```

Answer 11

``` – On admission (baseline) – Before and after any procedure – Any change to patient condition • After a major fluid loss e.g. bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea – During blood transfusion – During intravenous administration of medication – During introduction of new medication ```

Answer 12

the lateral force on the walls of an artery from the blood pulsing under pressure from the heart

Answer 13

- the resting pressure between each heart beat

Answer 14

the maximum pressure within an artery | when ejection occurs

Answer 15

resistance to blood flow within the systemic vasculature SVR= BP CO

Answer 16

- the difference between the highest and the lowest level of blood pressure PP= systolic pressure– diastolic pressure

Answer 17

the average pressure in the arteries during a cardiac cycle MAP= diastolic + 1/3 PP

Answer 18

arterial cannula connected to a transducer

Answer 19

Dinamap or sphygmomanometer

Answer 20

``` – Age – Gender – Stress – Race – Medications – Obesity – Diurnal variation – Exercise – Patient’s position – Pain – Cardiovascular disease ```

Answer 21

``` Normal ranges Systolic: 100-140mmHg Diastolic: 60- 80mmHg • Hypertension Diastolic >80mmHg Systolic >140mmHg • Hypotension Systolic <100 mmHg ```

Answer 22

movement of gases into and out of the lungs

Answer 23

mechanism the body uses to exchange gases between the atmosphere, blood and cells

Answer 24

movement of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the lung alveoli and red blood cells

Answer 25

insufficient levels of arterial O2

Answer 26

abnormally low levels of arterial O2

Answer 27

abnormally high levels of arterial CO2

Answer 28

respiratory system is unable to supply necessary oxygen | or cannot eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2)

Answer 29

While fingers still in place from pulse count, observe RR  Observe complete respiratory cycle (inspiration and expiration)  Count rate for 60 seconds if irregular and note pattern  Note depth: shallow, normal, deep  Note audibility: silent, effortless, respiratory sounds  Document and report abnormal findings

Answer 30

cessation of breathing

Answer 31

difficulty breathing

Answer 32

SOB when lying flat

Answer 33

abnormally rapid RR at rest

Answer 34

abnormally shallow and slow RR

Answer 35

alternate apnoea (15-60 secs) and hyperventilation

Answer 36

``` Exercise • Acute pain • Anxiety • Smoking • Body position • Medications • Neurological injury • Haemoglobin function ```

Answer 37

Adults; 12-20 breaths/minute

Answer 38

Non-invasive device that measures oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO2) Uses spectrophotometry • Normal range: 95-100%