Vital Signs and Meauserements Flashcards
Absence of Fever
AFEBRILE
Fever is present
FEBRILE
Fever comes and goes, or it spike then returns to average range. Higher than normal
INTERMITTEN FEVER
when is a continuous to be higher than normal temperature. Rises and falls only slightly during 24 hour period.
CONTINUOUS FEVER
Fluctuatesss but never returns to the averages temperature
REMITTENT FEVER
Body temperature increased beyond normal range
FEVER or PYREXIA
Time when fever begins
ONSET
Body temperature gradually returns to normal after a period of fever
LYSIS
Body temperature decreases suddenly to normal levels the patient may perspire profusely (DIAPHORESIS)
CRISIS
a fever tha remains above the baseline; it does not influctuate nut remains fairly constant
CONTINUOUS
MUST label if taken by methods other than oral
R for rectal = -1 A for axillary = -2 Tym is tympanic = same TA temporal artery = +1 When oral is T = 98.6F
This have inter-changeable oral and rectal probes attached to a battery-operated portable unit
ELECTRONIC THERMOMETERS
Types of thermometers
DISPOSABLE STRIPS
ELECTRONIC / SIGNAL
TYMPANIC
TEMPORAL ARTERY
These are individual wrapped strips with heat-sensitive dots that change color indicate temperature. Although strips are easy to used and prevent patient cross contamination accuracy is questionable
DISPOSABLE THERMOMETERS
These are widely used, handheld, battery operated or plug in units that have easy-to-read electronic display screens to indicate results
ELECTRONIC & DIGITAL THERMOMETERS
These are becoming more popular because they are fast, provide no discomfort to the patient can be used on patients over 2 years of age as well as adults and usually are accute
TYMPANIC THERMOMETERS
These thermometer measures the temperature of the skin surface over the temporal artery. These can also be used behind the ear lobe if the forehead is wet with respiration
TEMPORAL ARTEY THERMOMETERS
F -32 X 5 divided by 9
Conversion from F to C
C x 9 divided by 5 + 32
Conversion from C to F
Drawbacks to the tympanic thermometer have been demostrated in pediatric patients with ear conditions. An inaccurated recording can result because fluid buildup in the inner ear.
BILATERAL OTITIS EXTERNA / AMPACTED CERUMEN (lots of wax)
The dots that have changed color are read using the scale located on the strip.
ORAL TEMPARUTRES WITH STRIP
These are used for infants, young children and patients who were unable or uncooperative with oral temperature measurement
RECTAL AND AXILLARY TEMPERATURE
Each type of thermometer has a storage case or a wall mounted base made specially for storing the unit. The covers protect the probes from contamination
CLEANING AND STORAGE OF THERMOMETERS
The arteries expand and it returns its normal position for every heart action
contraction - the increased pressure passes through the arteries this cause expand
Realxing - the pressure is decreased in the arteries so returns to its previos position.
PULSE
Pulse and heartbeat rate are usually identical in healthy individuals
PULSE
