Vital Signs Flashcards
What is normal core temperature?
97-99.5F
What is the difference between core temperature and tympanic temperature?
1 degree lower
What is the difference between core temperature and oral temperature?
1 degree lower
How can you take measurements for core temperature?
Only true way is to swallow capsule
What’s the difference between temporal and rectal temperature?
Nothing.
Your temples are the same as your butt
What is the difference between temporal/rectal temperature and core temperature?
They are the same
When is your body temperature at it’s highest and when is it at it’s lowest?
Highest at 4pm
Lowest at 4am
What can cause an increase in body temperature?
Immune problems! (and hyperthyroid) Immune dz Infection Cancer Hyperthyroid
What can cause a decrease in body temperature?
Exposure
Addison’s dz and DM
Liver and Kidney failure
Hypothyroid
How would you take oral temperature?
Make sure pt hasn’t had any hot or cold beverages in last 30 mins
Put temperature as deep as can under tongue
Have pt close mouth and leave there
When stable, will give you reading
How would you take temporal temperature?
Clean off contact points on probe
Clean lens if you need to by turning it upside down before wiping
Press button, place on pt forehead and drag over to temple
If very sweaty, continue to drag until behind ear
Record and turn off button
Which one takes longer? Oral or temporal temperature readings?
Oral takes longer
What is the purpose of taking pulse?
Find rate and rhythm of heart
What is normal for pulse?
60-100bpm
What can cause an increase in pulse?
Infection, anxiety, fever, heart and lung failure
Where do you typically take pulse? Where can you take pulse?
Radial artery but you can take it anywhere you want
How do you take pulse?
Put 2nd and 3rd finger on radial artery on both sides. Count number of beats for 30 seconds and multiply for bpm.
Make sure pulse symmetrical on both sides to determine unilateral occlusion
What would you need to take note of in order to interpret pulse? What do they all mean
Rate and rhythm (self explanatory)
Contour: How smooth or hard pulse is
Smoother = healthy. Hard punch = hard artery
Amplitude: Pulse STRENGTH
What gradings can you give amplitude and what do they mean?
4+ Bounding - After exercise 3+ Elevated - Anxious, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroid 2+ Normal 1+ Diminished 0 Absent/occluded
What are normal respiratory rates in adults, kids and newborns?
Adults: 12 - 18cpm
Kids:
What is considered bradypnea? Tachypnea?
Bradypnea
What can cause an increase in respiration?
Infection, anxiety, fever, heart or lung failure
WTF is hypercapnea?
Quick deep breaths
How do you take respiratory rate?
Don’t alert patient that you’re counting breaths
Give nonspecific instructions
Count for 30secs after taking pulse is a good strategy
When do you measure bp?
During each comprehensive exam
Each time you see pt if HTN
How do you fit a bp cuff?
Line up brachial artery correctly
Make sure index line falls in correct range
What kind of reading would you get if the cuff was too small?
Falsely high bp
How do you ideally take bp?
Place cuff directly on skin and bell of steth on skin
Feel radial pulse as pump up sphyg
When stop feeling pulse, give few more pumps
Place bell of steth at brachial artery and listen
Release 2-3mmHg while listening to artery
When start hearing sound = systolic
When stop hearing i= diastolicc
How long do you have to wait before taking a 2nd reading?
1 minute
What are patient requirements before taking bp?
Well rested with no caffeine
How would you notate blood pressure?
Systolic/Diastolic mmHg
Pt Position and which arm used (Ex: RAS)
Time of reading
Sidenote! Pain is sometimes considered a vital sign
Free Card
How do you evaluate blood pressure?
Age appropriate charrts
