Vital Signs Flashcards
Vital signs are:
- a measurement of body’s basic functions
- variable w/age, weight, gender, overall health
- measurements taken to assess general health of a patient, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress towards recovery
What are the four main vital signs:
pulse, temperature, respiration rate, blood pressure
____ and ____ are the key indicators of cardiovascular function
Pulse rate and Blood pressure
This indicates possible inflammation or infection.
Temperature
This is a key indicator of pulmonary function.
Respiration rate
True/False: Blood pressure measures the surge of arterial blood that occurs w/each contraction of the heart muscle.
False: Pulse
These areas are where you can measure a patient’s pulse rate:
- Radial Artery
- Temporal Artery
- Carotid Artery
This primarily indicates the force, rate, and rhythm of the heartbeat.
pulse rate
True/False: This also measures the quality of peripheral vascular perfusion.
True
What is typically considered a “normal” pulse rate?
60-100 beats/min
unless for athletes: could be lower
Tachycardia is where the pulse rate is typically ____.
too fast (abnormally fast)
Bradycardia is where the pulse rate is typically ____.
too slow (abnormally low)
Typical causes for Tachycardia:
- Inflammation
- Sympathetic stimulation/Parasympathetic inhibition
- Medications
- Cardiac abnormalities
Typical causes for Brachycardia:
- Parasympathetic stimulation/Sympathetic Inhibition
- Medications
- Cardiac abnormalities
Blood pressure measures:
Vascular pressure during heartbeat and b/w heartbeats.
