vital signs Flashcards
temperature range
36-38, normal is 37. higher for babies and lower for over 70
what is pyrexia
inc in temp 38-40
what is hyperpyrexia
very elevated 41-44
hypothermia
low temp 36-34
factors affecting temp
- age
- exercise
- hormone
- circadian rhythm
- stress
- environment
what are the sites of assessment of temp
- tympanic membrane (ear)
- mouth
- rectum
- axilla
what is the pulse
is a throbbing sensation that can be palpated over a peripheral artery or auscultated over the apex of the heart
what factors indicated the effectiveness of the heart
rate, rhythm, quality and volume
what are the pulse rates (BPM)
newborn = 120-160 6-12 = 75-110 adult = 60-100
where the pulse locations
radial, brachial, carotid, pedal and apical
what is inspiration
diaphragm contracts and moves down
intercostal muscles pull ribs = inc in size of thoracic cavity (expansion)
intraplueral pressure decreases
pressure = less than atmospheric- air moves into lungs
what is expiration
- Diaphragm relaxes and moves up
- Intercostal muscles relax and ribs move inwards
- Decreases the size of thoracic cavity and lung size
- Increases gas pressure in the lungs to greater than atmospheric pressure and gas moves out of lungs.
normal rates of rest
newborn = 30-60 child = 20-30 adult= 12-20
assessment of respirations
count full inspiration and expiration for 1 minute
observe movement in chest wall
breathing pattern and observe chest or abdomen
what is apnoea
periods of no breathing
dyspnoea
difficulty breathing
orthopnoea
being able to breath more easily upright than lying flat
tachypnoea
fast resp rate
bradypnoea
slow resp rate
what is blood pressure
the force on the walls of an artery by the pulsing bp
what is systolic bp
the pressure recorded when the left ventricle pushes blood into the aorta and out of the heart
what is diastolic bp
when the ventricles relax and the blood remaining in the arteries exerts and min pressure
what are the factors to maintain bp
- cardiac output
- Peripheral resistance
- Blood volume
- Viscosity
- Elasticity
BP sounds
- Phase 1- 1st faint tapping sound which increase as cuff is deflated (systolic)
- Phase II- murmur or swishing during cuff deflation
- Phase III- sounds are crisper and inc in intensity
- Phase IV- distinct, abrupt, muffling of sound
- Phase V- last sound is heard (diastolic)
BP technique
- Patient seated, arm supported, have rested for 5 minutes
- Use appropriate cuff size
- No smoking or coffee 30min prior
- Korotkoffs phase V
average optimal BP
1y = 95/65
middle adult = 120/80
older = 140/90
acceptable values of <130/<85
