Vital Signs Quiz Flashcards
Vital Signs (VS)
measures of various physiological statistics, often taken by health professionals, in order to assess the most basic body functions
4 Primary Vital Signs
Heart Rate (Pulse)
Blood Pressure
Body Temperature
Respiration Rate
Heart Rate (Pulse)
a wave of blood flow that expands an artery created by a contraction of the heart
What is the heart rate assessed as?
beats per minute (BPM)
How is the heart rate counted?
counted for 15, 20, 30, or 60 seconds
Normal Heart Rate (adults)
Healthy Resting HR = 60 – 100 BPM
Where is the Radial Pulse sight located?
inside the wrist, near the thumb
Where is the Brachial Pulse sight located?
in the antecubital space of the arm (the bend of the elbow) in adults
Where is the Apical Pulse sight located?
ausculated with a stethoscope on the chest wall. The pulse is found at the apex of the heart
Device used to measure heart rate?
stethoscope
Electrocardiograph (ECG/EKG)
an electrocardiograph record the electrical activity of your heart
Blood Pressure (BP)
the pressure or tension exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the arterial walls
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)
the higher number; represents the pressure exerted on the arteries during the contraction phase of the heartbeat
Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)
the second number; represents the resting pressure on the arteries as the heart relaxes between contractions
Pulse Pressure
Difference between the systolic and diastolic; 40 is normal and healthy
What is the normal range for blood pressure?
120/80 mmHg
Device used for measuring blood pressure?
sphygomomanometer or a BP cuff
The most common site for reading BP?
Brachial artery: taken on the upper arm
Hypertension
a condition that can be caused by high blood pressure
Hypotension
a condition that can be caused by low blood pressure
Respiration
the act or process of breathing
Rate of Respiration
number of breaths per minute
1 breath = 1 inhalation and 1 exhalation
Normal range for respiration rate
12 – 20 breaths per minute
Hyperventilation
an increased respiratory rate
Hypoventilation
a decrease in respiratory rate and depth
Tidal Volume (TV)
500 mL or 0.5 L
normal volume moved in or out of the lungs during quiet (resting) breathing
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
2900 mL or 2.9 L
inhaling deeply to increase lung volume
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
1400 mL or 1.4 L
increasing expiration by contracting our thoracic and abdominal muscles
Residual Volume (RV)
1000 mL or 1 L
even when we exhale deeply, some air is still in the lungs
Vital Capacity (VC)
the total of TV + IRV + ERV
it is called vital capacity because it is vital for life, and the more air you can move the better off you are
Total Lung Capacity
6000 mL or 6 L
VC + RV
the amount of air in the lungs after a deep inhalation
Spirogram
term that depicts a graph of lung capacities
Device used to measure lung capacities
respirometer
Spirometry
a method of assessing lung function by measuring the volume and speed flow of air in and out of the lungs
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
Spirometer
device used to perform spirometry
Respiratory Disease Classifications
Obstructive Lung Disease
Restrictive Lung Disease
Obstructive Lung Disease
conditions that makes it hard to exhale all the air in the lungs
Obstructive Lung Disease Examples
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Emphysema
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
Restrictive Lung Disease
conditions that makes it difficult to fully expand the lungs with air due to lung stiffness or muscle weakness
Restrictive Lung Disease Examples
- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Muscular dystrophy
- Scoliosis
- Interstitial Disease (pulmonary fibrosis)
Homeostasis
the condition of the body maintaining a “steady state” where the internal environment within the body remains stable despite the influence of external factors
Negative Feedback System
works by reducing or eliminating the stimulus that is causing the change
A negative feedback system controls what?
blood sugar levels, temperature, and blood pH level
Positive Feedback System
enhances the effect of the stimulus pushing it further away from its normal range
A positive feedback system is used for what?
to produce a desired result or achieve a final goal
Example: childbirth and lactation
Thermoregulation
the ability to maintain the internal body temperature so that cells can function properly
Normal range for body temperature
37ºC or 98.6ºF
Body Temperature
a measure of your body’s ability to make and get rid of heat
Device used to meausre body temperature
electronic thermometers
glass thermometers
