Vital Signs

Question 1

When to measure vitals

Answer 1

Upon admission to any healthcare agency
Based on agency policy and procedure
Anytime there’s a change in the patient’s condition
Anytime there’s a loss of consciousness
Before and after surgical procedures
Before and after activity that may increase risk
Before administering medication that affects cardiovascular or respiratory function

Question 2

Guidelines

Answer 2

Ensure equipment is working properly and select appropriate equipment
Know patience usual range
Know patient’s history

Question 3

Body temp

Answer 3

Normal range 97-99.5 
Core temp:
- rectal
- tympanic
Surface temp: 
- oral
- axillary 
- skin surface

Question 4

Normal temps

Answer 4

Oral: 98.6
Rectal: 99.5
Axillary: 97.5
Temporal artery: 98.6

Question 5

Rectal temp

Answer 5

Adult: 1.5 in
Child: 1 in

Question 6

Primary source of heat in body

Answer 6

Metabolism with heat produced as a byproduct of metabolic activities that generate energy for cellular function

Question 7

Temp regulation

Answer 7

Neural and vascular control

• hypothalamus = thermoregulatory center
• vasodilation
• vasoconstriction

Question 8

Afebrile

Answer 8

Normal body temperature

Question 9

Heat production

Answer 9

Metabolism
Hormones
Skeletal muscle activity
Vasoconstriction

Question 10

Heat loss

Answer 10

Skin is primary source
Sweat
Elimination

Question 11

Hypothermia

Answer 11

Shivering

Constriction of blood vessels

Question 12

Radiation

Answer 12

Heat transfer via infrared radiation

Diffusion of heat by electromagnetic waves

Question 13

Convection

Answer 13

Air / water

Heat by motion between areas of unequal density

Question 14

Evaporation

Answer 14

Transfer heat as water

Conversion of liquid to a vapor

Question 15

Conduction

Answer 15

Transfer heat from one object to another through physical contact

Question 16

Pyrexia

Answer 16

Fever

Heat loss mechanism unable to keep pace with excess heat production

Question 17

Function of fever

Answer 17

Inhibit bacteria growth
Increase WBC production
Stimulates interferons (virus fighting substances)

Question 18

Constant / sustained fever

Answer 18

Remain above normal

Question 19

Intermittent fever

Answer 19

Returns to normal at least once per 24 hours

Question 20

Remittent fever

Answer 20

Does not return to normal, fluctuates up or down

Question 21

Relapsing

Answer 21

Returns to normal for 1 or more days; episodes of fever lasting several days

Question 22

Syncopal

Answer 22

Fainting or sudden temporary loss of consciousness

Question 23

Pulse

Answer 23

Normal: 60-100
Bradycardia: < 60
Tachycardia: > 100

Question 24

Pulse deficit

Answer 24

Difference in apocalyptic and radial rates

Question 25

Pulse amplitude

Answer 25

``` 0= absent not palpable +1= diminished, weaker than expected +2= brisk, expected (normal) +3= bounding ```

Question 26

Pulse rhythm

Answer 26

Pattern of the beats and phases between them Regular= beasts and pauses occur at regular intervals Irregular= beats and pauses occur at unequal intervals

Question 27

Pulse pressure

Answer 27

Systolic - diastolic

Question 28

Cardiac output

Answer 28

Volumes of blood pumped by heart | - heart rate x stroke volume

Question 29

Stroke volume

Answer 29

Amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle

Question 30

Respiration rate

Answer 30

12-20

Question 31

Eupnea

Answer 31

Normal, unlabored breathing

Question 32

Apnea

Answer 32

Periods there is no breathing

Question 33

Orthopnea

Answer 33

Breathing better upright

Question 34

Normal pulse oximeter

Answer 34

> 93% (95 % for class)

Question 35

Blood pressure

Answer 35

Force exerted on the walls of the artery created by the pulsing blood under pressure from the heart

Question 36

Peripheral resistance

Answer 36

Elasticity of the arteries Lumen size Smaller lumen= higher BP Larger lumen= lower BP

Question 37

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer 37

Form of low BP that happens when standing up from sitting down

Question 38

Orthostatic hypotension signs

Answer 38

``` Dizziness Fainting Weakness Lightheadedness Pillar Syncope- temporary loss of consciousness cause by fall in BP ```

Question 39

Blood volume

Answer 39

Increased volume = increase BP - iv fluid overload Decreased volume = decreased BP - hemorrhage

Question 40

Blood viscosity

Answer 40

Increased viscosity = increase BP - heart has to work harder Decreased viscosity = decreased BP

Question 41

Auscultatory gap

Answer 41

Where sound completely disappears then return at a lower level The true systolic BP is the higher reading the 4th diastolic sound is the distinct muffling sound

Question 42

Hypotension

Answer 42

< 100 systolic | < 60 diastolic

Question 43

Prehypertension

Answer 43

Systolic 120-139 | Diastolic 80-89

Question 44

Hypertension

Answer 44

> 140/90 on several readings

Question 45

Guidelines for measuring orthostatic hypotension

Answer 45

Measure BP lying, sitting and standing