Vital Signs

Question 1

what are the vital signs

Answer 1

Temp 
pulse
respiratory rate 
BP 
oxygen stats 
used to calculate NEWS score

Question 2

how do you take a patients temperature

Answer 2

ear thermometer with disposable tip 
explain what you will do to the patient 
wash hands and gain consent 
apple new disposable prob and switch on thermometer 
insert into ear pulling ear backwards gently and aim tip towards far side eye 
press button 
remove probe once beep goes 
remove cover and put in clinical waste 
record temp and which ear was used

Question 3

how do you take a patients pulse

Answer 3

explain what you will do and gain consent
wash hands or use gel
identify most accessible spot
palpate pulse for 30s then multiple by 2
if irregular take for 1 minute
record any rate or rhythm changes

Question 4

how do you take a patients respiratory rate

Answer 4

try taking while patient is unaware
can be done with pulse so can count pulse and RR for 30 seconds - observe depth abnormalities and pattern
record

Question 5

how do you take a persons blood pressure

Answer 5

patient should rest 3-5 mins before taking
explain to patient and gain consent
wash hands and clean stethoscope
sit patient comfortably and sit arm at heart level palm up
apply cuff to upper arm and ensure in line with brachial artery
palpate radial or brachial pulse
close valve and inflate cuff until no more pulse felt (estimated systolic)
reinflate cuff to 30 mmhG above estimated
slowly release and when heart sounds heard that’s systolic and when disappear that is diastolic

Question 6

if it is a first time for the patient how many times should you record blood pressure

Answer 6

do twice with 30 second rest in-between

Question 7

what is white coat hypertension

Answer 7

patient may be anxious or hypertensive due to doctor so wait a while then retake

Question 8

how are O2 stats taken

Answer 8

pulse oximetry with probe - non-invasive

Question 9

what are the required levels for O2 stats

Answer 9

should be above 95% with no underlying respiratory diseases

Question 10

what are the rough o2 stats for respiratory disease patents

Answer 10

88-92%

Question 11

what causes changes in O2 stats

Answer 11

cold extremities - false low reading
nail polish - false low
high levels of ambient light may give false low