Vital Signs Flashcards
How do you locate the apical impulse? (point over the apex of the heart where the apical pulse can be most clearly heard)
- Palpate the angle of Louis
- Slide finger just left of the sternum, palpate 2nd intercostal space
- Palpate downward until locate 5th intercostal space
- Move finger laterally along 5th intercostal space to midclavicular line (MCL)
Angle of Louis
The angle between the manubrium, the top of the sternum, and the body of the sternum. Palpated just below the suprasternal notch and is felt as a prominence
Normal HR for newborns
100-170bpm
Normal HR for Infants to 2 years
80-130bpm
Normal HR for 2-6 years
70-120bpm
Normal HR for 6-10 years
70-110bpm
Normal HR for 10-16 years
60-100bpm
Normal HR for 17 years to adult
60-100bpm
What causes the S1 heart sound (lub)?
The atrioventricular valves closing after the ventricles have been sufficiently filled
What causes the S2 heart sound (dub)?
The semilunar valves closing after the ventricles empty
What is a normal rhythm and strength of a heartbeat?
Normal pulse has equal time periods between beats
Normal beats are equal in strength
Periodic breathing in newborns
some newborns pause for a few seconds between respirations. This condition can be normal, but parents should be alert to prolonged or frequent pauses (apnea) that require medical attention
Why would an infants’ respiratory rate and effort of breathing increase with respiratory infections?
Compared to adults, infants have fewer alveoli and their airways have a smaller diameter
Normal respiratory rate for newborns
30-80 pm
Normal respiratory rate for 1 year
20-40pm
Normal respiratory rate for 3 years
20-30pm
Normal respiratory rate for 6 years
16-22pm
Normal respiratory rate for 10 years
16-20pm
Normal respiratory rate for 17 and older
12-20pm
Tachypnea (Rate)
quick, shallow breaths
Bradypnea (Rate)
abnormally slow breathing
Apnea (Rate)
cessation of breathing
Hyperventilating (Volume)
overexpansion of the lungs characterized by rapid and deep breaths
Hypoventilation (Volume)
Underexpansion of the lungs, characterized by shallow respirations.