Vital Signs Flash Cards
What are the four basic vital signs?
Temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure
What are the factors of the normal range for vital signs?
Age, weight, gender
3 types of thermometers?
Electronic/digital, disposable, and manual/mercury
Methods to take temperature?
oral=mouth
tympanic=ear
temporal=forehead
axillary= armpit
rectal=rectum
Define afebrile
Average body temp. is 95 degrees in Fahrenheit
What does “A” mean in Afebrile?
Absence
Define Febrile
Fever
Define Hyperpyrexia
An exceptionally higher fever
Define Hypothermia
Drop in body temp below 95 degrees in Fahrenheit
Factors that may affect your body temp?
stress, dehydration, exercise, environment, thyroid disorders, drinking hot/cold beverages
One consideration when it comes to older adults’ body temperature regulation?
Older adults do not control their body temp as well as younger adults
Define respiration rate
number of breaths taken per minute
Normal respiration rate?
12-20 breaths per minute
Define Hyperventilation
Excessive rate and depth of breathing
Define Dyspnea
Difficult or painful breathing
What does “dys’’ mean in Dyspnea?
Difficulty
What does “Brady” mean Bradypnea
Slow breaths
What does “Tachy” mean in Tachypnea
fast breaths
Define Hyperpnea
An abnormally rapid, deep, or labored breathing and indication of possible disease should be noted
What can affect your patient’s respiration?
Asthma, anxiety, pneumonia, lung disease, narcotic use, or drug overdose
WhaWhat does Rhonchi sound like?
Deep rattling/snoring sounds associated with asthma, bronchitis, and airway obstruction
What does Rales sounds like?
Crackling sounds that indicate fluid in the lung
What does Wheezing sound like?
High-pitch, whale-like noise/sound
What does Stridor sound like?
High-pitch, shallow, turbulent sound
What does Normal sound like?
Blowing, rustling sound
Normal range of Pulse rate?
60-100 beats per minute
Normal compression rate?
100-120 compression rate
Define Tachycardia
Faster than average pulse that can indicate health problems such as stress, infection, anxiety, shock, dehydration, and some heart conditions
What does “Tachy” and “Cardia” mean in Tachycardia
Fast heart
Define Bradycardia
lower than average pulse, may also be sign of a heart condition
What does “Brady” and “Cardia” mean in Bradycardia
Slow heart
What is the most accurate pulse point?
Apical
Most assesable pulse point?
Radial
Pulse point that is used in cpr?
Carotid
Normal?
Radial
What are the different pulse points
Temporal, Carotid, Radial, Brachial, Femoral, Popliteal, Pedal, Apical, and LEFT mid clavicular line
Where is the Temporal pulse point located?
Side of forehead
Where is the Carotid pulse point located?
On either side of the neck
Where is the Radial pulse point located?
Wrist, on the same side as your thumb
Where is the Brachial pulse point located?
Upper arm, between bicep and tricep muscles
Where is the femoral located
inner thigh
Popliteal located?
behind the knee
Pedal located?
top of the foot
Apical located?
the chest
Left midclavicular line
left side of the chest
What is blood pressure
Measurement of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries
How is blood pressure written?
systolic over diastolic
Define systolic
pressure in arteries when heart beats and pushes blood out to the body
Define diastolic
pressure in arteries when the heart rests between beats
What are the factors that affect blood pressure?
Hypertension and Hypotension
Define Hypertension
High blood pressure
Define Hypotension
Low blood pressure
What are the equipment used to measure blood pressure?
Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
What is a stethoscope used for?
Amplifies body sounds
What are the procedures for blood pressure?
Palpatory and auscultated method
What are the 3 different positions of orthostatic vitals?
lying down, sitting up, and standing
