Vital signs Flashcards
What are the vital signs?
Temperature Pulse Respirations Blood Pressure Pain Pulse ox
When do you measure vital signs?
Inpatient settings Upon admission Evaluation of treatment Establish baseline Monitor trends
What is the average temp range for adults?
36.5-37.5
What is the average oral temp?
98.6
Rectal temps may be …
1 degree higher
Axillary temps may be …
1 degree lower
What routes can you take a temp?
Mouth, rectum, ear, forehead, axilla
Elderly generally have …
Lower temps
36-36.8
How does the body respond to decreased temperature?
Vasoconstriction
Shivering is vasoconstriction is ineffective
How does the temp respond to increased body temp?
Vasodilation
Sweating
Factors affecting body temp
Age Exercise Hormones Circadian rhythm Stress Environment
Pyrexia
Fever
Defense mechanism
Results when heat-loss mechanisms are unable to keep pace with excessive heat production
Methods of heat loss
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation
Radiation
Transfer of heat from one surface to another without actual contact
Conduction
Transfer of heat from the body to another surface
Convection
Dispersion of heat by air currents (wind blowing across exposed skin - fan)
Evaporation
Heat loss through water vapor (diaphoresis)
At what point does the body hit an abnormally elevated body temp?
102.2/39
How to deal with pyrexia
Antipyretics (no Aspirin for kids - causes Rye syndrome in kids)
Cooling blanket
Encourage liquids
Hypothermia
Temp <95/35
Nursing interventions for hypothermia
Remove wet clothes Blankets Warm liquids Increase room temp Warmed IV fluids
What is pulse an indirect measure of?
Cardio output
How to measure pulse?
Count for 30 second then multiply by 2
When giving a beta blocker, how should one take a HR?
Apically
What is a bounding pulse?
Fingers bounce when feeling for pulse
Hypervolemic
What is a normal pulse?
60-100/min