Vitals Flashcards
What are the various areas to take a temperature
oral, axillary, rectal, temporal, ears
how does the axillary temperature differ from oral temperature
oral - 1 (reads higher)
how does the rectal temperature differ from oral
oral +1 (reads lower)
what constitutes a fever
100.4 or higher
what is a low grade fever
99.6-100.3
what are the 3 areas a pulse can be taken
radial, brachial, carotid
what is the normal BPM range
60-100
what constitues tachycardia
BPM greater than 100
what constitutes bradycardia
bpm lower than 60
what is tachypnea
fast breathing
what is bradypnea
slow breathing
what does systolic BP measure
pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts
what does diastolic BP measure
pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and filling with blood
what is pulse pressure
the difference between systolic and diastolic BP, force that the heart generates each time it contracts
what does pulse pressure measure and what value becomes a risk factor
risk factor when greater than 60 mmHg and it is a mortality predictor in hemodialysis patients
how do you take a BP reading manually
-cuff is placed with the lower border an inch above the elbow
-cuff is inflated 20-30 mmHg above normal systolic pressure
-stethoscope is placed over brachial artery at the bend of elbow
- pressure release valve is turned slowly, allowing needle to fall at a rate of 2-3 mmHg per second
- first audible noise is systolic
-last audible korotkoff sound is diastolic
what are the common mistakes with taking BP using a manual cuff
-rushing
- cuff is wrong size
- cuff is too loose or too tight
-arm not at heart level
- patient has legs crossed
what happens to the BP when cuff is too small
BP reading is high
what happens to BP when cuff is too big
BP reading is low
why is it important to have arm elevated
pressure will increase as a result of hydrostatic forces
what are the risk factors for hypertension
-ethnicity, african american, white, mexican, asian
-men until after age 45
- post-menopausal women
what is elevated BP
120-129/80
what is hypertension stage 1
130-139/80-89
what is hypertension stage 2
140+/90+
what is hypertensive crisis
180+/120+
