Vital Signs & Assessment/Physical Exam Flashcards
general survey
- peforming SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION and recording general traits
- our first glance and IMPRESSION OF PATIENT
includes;
- skin color
- body build
- age
- gender
- dress
- hygiene
- posture/gait
- physical development
- mood/alertness
what are some things to look for in a patient’s GENERAL APPERANCE?
- what is their STATE OF HEALTH?
- how alert/conscious is the patient?
- are they in distress?
- how is their skin color?
- how do they present themselves?
- how is their facial expression?
vital signs definition
- used to DETECT CHANGES IN BODY
- determines COURSE & RESPONSE OF TREATMENT
- gives us the BASELINE INDICATOR OF THE PERSON’s HEALTH
what to prep for BEFORE VITAL SIGNS?
- know the PATIENT’S USUAL RANGE
- know their HISTORY/MEDS etc…
- use PROPER EQUIPMENT
- IT IS UR RESPONSIBILITY; don’t delegate the first set
what are our VITAL SIGNS?
- temperature
- pulse
- respiration
- blood pressure
- pain
temperature
- regulated by our HYPOTHALAMUS
- invasion of body through PATHOGENS;
- release of EXOGENOUS PYROGENS»_space; travels to the hypothalamus
- release of PYROGENIC CYTOKINES when phagocytic cells start attacking these pathogens = prostaglandin E2
- raising of BODY TEMP SET POINT
how does the BODY GENERATE HEAT/COOL DOWN?
- SHIVERING;
rapid contraction/relaxtion - VASOCONSTRICTION; decrease heat loss
- VASODILATION; sweating
expected finding of temp
Expected range – 97.2° F to 99.9° F (36.2° F to 37.7° C)
Fever considered T >100.4° F (38° C) (99° F axillary [37.2° C]
where can we take TEMP?
- Oral
- Rectal - core temp; most accurate
- Axillary
- Tympanic
pulse
- occurs during VENTRICULAR HEART CONTRACTION
- push of blood into the ARTERIAL SYSTEM
- measures our HR
where can we measure PULSE?
- CAROTID
- BRACHIAL
- RADIAL
- FEMORAL
- POPLITEAL
- DORSALIS PEDIS
- POSTERIOR TIBIAL
expected findings of pulse
Count pulsations for 30 seconds (multiply by 2).
Average adult pulse ranges between 60 and 100 beats/min
- should be REGULAR RATE; if irregular; count full min
- feel for the CONTOUR AND AMPLITUDE
tachycardia
> 100
bradycardia
<60
what is the PULSE AMPLITUDE?
0: Absent
1+: Diminished, barely palpable
2+: Expected (Normal)
3+: Full, Increased
4+: Bounding
what muscles are used during respiration?
- DIAPHRAGM
- INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES
INSPIRATION;
d - downward
external intercostal muscles
EXPIRATION;
internal intercostal muscles
expected findings in respiratory rate
- depends on age; inspecting the RISE & FALL OF THE CHEST
normal rate; 12 - 20 breaths/min - tachypnea
- bradypnea
blood pressure
the force of your blood moving through BV with VENTRICULAR CONTRACTION
systolic BP
- force exerted during VENTRICULAR CONTRACTION
- considers; cardiac output, blood volume, & artery compliance
- where BP is the HIGHEST
diastolic BP
force exerted by PERIPHERAL VASCULAR RESISTANCE during filling of heart or relaxed state
- where BP is the LOWEST
pulse pressure
difference between systolic & diastolic pressures
sounds during BP
known as KOROTKOFF SOUNDS;
first sound - systolic
disappreance of sound - diastolic
describe the BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES
NORMAL; 120/80
ELEVATES; 120-129/less than 80
HIGH BP/HYPERTENSION 1; 130-139/80-89
HIGH BP/HYPERTENSION 2; 140+/90+
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS; 180+/120+
definition of ORTHOSTATIC HYPERTENSION
- sudden DROP in both SYSTOLIC & DIASTOLIC PRESSURE
- when patient moves from lying, standing, or sitting position
- happens due to INABILITY OF BV to compensate quickly to the change
- seen if we have a drop in SBP - 20 mm Hg or pulse increase 10-20 bpm
pulse oximetry
measures the PERCENTAGE OF BLOOD HEMOGLOBIN CARRYING OXYGEN
- check the OXYGEN LEVEL/SATURATION–measure how much light absorbed
where can pulse oximetry be tested?
- toes
- fingertips
- ear
- nose
definition of PAIN
- common UNCOMFORTABLE SENSATION + EMOTIONAL EXP asso. with actual/potential tissue damage