Vital Signs

Question 1

Purpose

Answer 1

• to obtain baseline measurement of patients vital signs
• to access patient’s response to treatments
• to monitor patient’s condition after procedure

Question 2

Temperature

Answer 2

Heat of body measured in degrees and the diff between production of heat and loss of heat

Question 3

Heat production

Answer 3

Thru food metabolism and activity, increased thyroxin production, and Chem thermogenesis

Question 4

Heat loss

Answer 4

Thru
Radiation- surface to surface by waves
Conduction- contact between 2 surfaces
Convection-movement by air currents
Evaporation-water to stream
Elimination-urination, defecation

Question 5

Types of temp

Answer 5

• core temp: measured thru tympanic and rectal routes

- surface temp: measured thru oral and axillary routes

Question 6

Oral

Answer 6

Most frequently used, convenient

Question 7

Rectal

Answer 7

Most accurate, invasive

Question 8

Axillary

Answer 8

Safer than oral, least accurate

Question 9

Tympanic

Answer 9

Accessible, less invasive

Question 10

Pyrexia

Answer 10

Elevated body temp

Question 11

Hyperpyrexia

Answer 11

Body temp over 41 degrees c

Question 12

Intermittent fever

Answer 12

Body temp alternates regularly

Question 13

Remittent fever

Answer 13

Fluctuations of several degrees above normal but never reaches normal

Question 14

Constant fever

Answer 14

Consistently elevated and fluctuates

Question 15

Relapsing fever

Answer 15

Returns to normal for 1 day then bad again

Question 16

Resolution of Pyrexia by crisis

Answer 16

Body temp returns to normal suddenly

Question 17

Pulse

Answer 17

Wave of blood being pumped into the arterial circulation by the contraction of the left ventricle

Question 18

Rate

Answer 18

Number of beats per minute

Question 19

Rhythm

Answer 19

Pattern of beats and interval between each beat

Question 20

Volume/amplitude

Answer 20

Amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat

Question 21

Pulmonary ventilation

Answer 21

Breathing, movement in and out of lungs

Question 22

External respiration

Answer 22

Exchange of O2 and co2 between alveoli and blood

Question 23

Internal respiration

Answer 23

Exchange of O2 and co2 between blood and tissue cell

Question 24

Coastal/thoracic breathing

Answer 24

Involves external intercoastal muscles and other accessory muscles

Question 25

Diaphragmatic/abnormal breathing

Answer 25

Involving the contraction and relaxation of diaphragm

Question 26

Eupnea

Answer 26

Normal, effortless

Question 27

Tachypnea

Answer 27

RR> 24 BPM

Question 28

Braypnea

Answer 28

RR> 10 BPM

Question 29

Apnea

Answer 29

Absence of breathing

Question 30

Hyperpnea

Answer 30

Deeper respiration with normal rate

Question 31

Chyne stokes

Answer 31

Respiration becomes faster/deeper then slow

Question 32

Blot’s

Answer 32

Faster and deeper with abrupt pauses

Question 33

Kussmaul’s

Answer 33

Faster and deeper respiration a without pauses between pants

Question 34

Apneustic

Answer 34

Prolonged grasping with extremely short exhalation

Question 35

Dysnea

Answer 35

Difficulty in breathing

Question 36

Orthopnea

Answer 36

Can’t breathe when lying down

Question 37

Wheezing

Answer 37

Narrowing of airways causing whistling sounds

Question 38

Stridor

Answer 38

High pitched sounds on inhalation

Question 39

Rales

Answer 39

Sound caused by air passing thru fluid or mucus in the airways

Question 40

Rhonchi

Answer 40

Sound caused by air passing thru airways narrowed by fluids

Question 41

Vital signs

Answer 41

Aka Cardinal signs; includes temp, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
-reflects physiologic status of a patient