Vital Signs Flashcards
Define vital signs.
indicators of body’s response to physical, environmental, and psychological stresses
What are the 5 vital signs taken?
Temperature Pulse Blood pressure Oxygen saturation Respiration rate
What is temperature?
The balance between heat gain and heat loss; degree of hotness or coldness of the body
What are the two main types of temperature?
Core
Peripheral
In which sites can core temperature be monitored?
Rectal
Oral
How does the body regulate temperature?
Vasoconstriction and vasolidation to decrease/increase the flow of heat to the skin.
Sweating/Cessation of sweating
Shivering to increase heat production via muscle contractions.
Secretion of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and thyroxine to increase heat production
What section of the brain controls thermoregulation?
Hypothalamus
What is the normal temperature?
36.0 - 37.2 degrees celcius
State the 3 grades of fevers above 37.2 degrees celcius.
- 37.3 - 37.8; Mild (tapid sponging, shower, exposure)
- 37.9 - 38.5; Moderate (mild grade methods + antipyretics)
- > =38.6; Severe (antipyretics and analgesics)
Differentiate antipyretics and analgesics.
Antipyretics - treat pain and fever
Analgesics - pain relievers
What is pulse assessment?
The process of measuring the pressure pulsations created by the heart when it contracts and eject blood into the aorta, resulting in a wave of expansion and recoil that can be felt by palpating the artery against a bone
Normal pulse levels are….
60-100BPM; 10years+ 70-110BPM; 7-9years 75-115BPM;5-6years 80 - 120BPM; 3-4years 120-160BPM; 0-2years
What types of abnormal pulses rise quickly?
Bisferians
Thready
*ang’s BISon quickly THREADed his way through the clouds.
What types of abnormal pulses rise slowly?
Anacrotic
Pervus ET tardus
*PETs are ANnoyingly slow.
What is waterhammer pulse? What could it indicate?
Large pulse that may not be seen in ECG but can be palpated and is strong.
Indicates; large stroke volume (caused by fever, alcoholism, pregnancy)
