Vitals Flashcards
What are the 5 vital signs?
- Pulse
- Blood pressure
- Respirations
- Temperature
- Tobacco use
How should the patient be positioned when taking vitals?
Upright
Eye level
Legs uncrossed
Not talking, staying still
What are the factors that influence pulse rate?
-age
-medications
-stress
-exercise
We assess the _______ artery when taking the pulse.
radial
How many fingers do we use when assessing a patients pulse?
Two; index and middle finger
Tachycardia
beats per minute >100
Bradycardia
beats per minute <60
What is the normal range of pulse for adults?
60-100
Describe how we assess respirations
While still holding the patient wrist, count the number of times the chest rises and falls for 30 seconds X 2, or 1 minute if irregular *DO NOT INFORM PATIENT YOU ARE TAKING RESPIRATIONS
What are the factors that influence respirations?
-age
-medication
-stress
-exercise
-altitude
-gender (sex)
-body position
-fever
Tachynpnea
rapid, shallow breathing
respiration rate greater than 20 per minute
Hyperpnea
aka hyperventilation
rapid, deep breathing
can be caused by exercise, anxiety, metabolic acidosis
Bradynpea
slow breathing
decreased rate and depth
diabetic coma commonly the cause
Which conditions may cause obstructive breathing?
-asthma
-COPD
-obstructive bronchitis
What is the range of respiratory rates for newborns?
30-60
What is the range of respiratory rates for children?
14-26
What is the range of respiratory rates for adults?
12-20
Hypotension
abnormally low blood pressure
systolic <90; diastolic <60
Hypertension
abnormally high blood pressure
systolic >130; diastolic >80
List the factors affecting blood pressure
-time of day
-position
-eating
-exercise
-stress
-tobacco
-coffee/alcohol
-pain
-temperature
Systolic
peak of highest pressure; caused by ventricular contraction
normal is around 120mmHg
Diastolic
lowest pressure; ventricular relaxation
normal is less than 80 mmHg
The difference between the systolic and diastolic is the _____.
pulse
When can an electronic blood pressure machine not be used?
-irregular heart rate
-peripheral vascular obstruction
-shivering
-excessive tremors
-inability to cooperate
-systolic less than 90 Hg
How do we determine the MIL (maximum inflation level)
locate the radial pulse, pump cuff until radial pulse disappears
*determining MIL prevent ausculatory gap
We pump ____ beyond the MIL to obtain blood pressure
20-30 mmHg
We dismiss patients at MCCC with a blood pressure reading of….
160/100
*needs a medical clearance
What are normal blood pressure reading
systolic <120 diastolic <80
What are hypertension stage 1 readings?
systolic 130-139 diastolic 80-89
What are hypertension stage 2 readings
systolic >140 diastolic >90
*or equal to those numbers
What are some lifestyle modifications for hypertension management?
-weight loss
-dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH)
-dietary sodium intake
-physical activity
-moderate alcohol consumption
What are the factors that may increase temperature?
-time of day
-exercise
-age
-environment
-stress
-tobacco use
-hot/cold liquids
-infections
-hormones
A decrease in temperature may be caused by what?
-rapid breathing (tachypnea)
-starvation
-hemorrhage
-physiological shock
We dismiss patients in our clinic with a temperature reading of what?
100.4 degrees fahrenheit
