Vital Signs

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Reflects the balance between heat the body produces and heat lost to the environment

Question 2

Pulse

Answer 2

The measurement of heart rate and rhythm. Corresponds to the bounding of blood flowing through various points in the circulatory system

Question 3

Respiration

Answer 3

The body’s mechanism for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the blood and cells of the body, which is accomplished through venerating and recorded as the number of breaths per minute

Question 4

Blood pressure

Answer 4

Reflects the force the blood exerts against the walls of the arterioles during contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of the heart

Question 5

Heat production

Answer 5

Results from increases in basal metabolic rate, muscle activity, thyroxine output, testosterone, and sympathetic stimulation, which increases heat production

Question 6

Heat loss

Answer 6

Conduction: transfer of heat from the body directly to another surface

Convection: dispersion of heat by air currents

Evaporation: dispersion of heat through water vapor

Radiation: transfer of heat from one object to another object without contact between them

Diaphoresis: visible perspiration on the skin

Question 7

Oral temp range

Answer 7

36° to 38°C

96.8° to 100.4°F

Question 8

Rectal temperature

Answer 8

Usually 0.5°C higher than oral and tympanic temperatures

Question 9

Axillary temperature

Answer 9

Usually 0.5°C lower than oral and tympanic temperatures

Question 10

Temporal temperature

Answer 10

Nearly 0.5°C higher than oral and 1°C higher than axillary