Vitals

Question 1

Conduction

Answer 1

The transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact

Ex: occurs when a person touches or lies on a colder object such as and infant being placed on a cold metal scale after birth

Question 2

Convection

Answer 2

The loss of heat due to the movement of air across the person

Ex: modern air conditioning vents that direct cool air into a room may do this

Question 3

Radiation

Answer 3

the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another

Question 4

Evaporation

Answer 4

The transfer of heat when a liquid on the body is changed to a gas

Ex: the person who receives a bed bath without being properly dried

Question 5

Oral site method

Answer 5

Most frequently and commonly used.

Used if the person is able to keep the thermometer safely in place for the required length of time

Question 6

Axillary site method

Answer 6

May be used when the oral route cannot be used

Add one degree, document using “Ax”

Question 7

Tympanic site method

Answer 7

Quick and accurate site for core temperatures

Frequently used with children and in clinics and offices

Add one degree, document using “T”

Question 8

Rectal site method

Answer 8

Provides accurate information of core temperature

Subtract one degree, document using “R”

Least preferred, rectal site would not be chosen if there was a recent rectal surgery or rectal abscesses

Question 9

Continuous or sustained fever

Answer 9

fever with persistent elevation that lasts over 24 hours

Question 10

Intermittent Fever

Answer 10

will have normal readings with spikes of fever interspersed between normal readings

Question 11

Remittent fever

Answer 11

will have rises and falls as the intermittent fever, but the lower readings will not return to normal ranges

Question 12

Conversion of Temperature

Answer 12

C=(F-32)x 5/9

F=(9/5 x C) + 32

Question 13

pulse

Answer 13

palpation of the wave of blood flow as it is ejected from the heart with contraction

Question 14

Four main qualities of pulse assessment

Answer 14

rate, rhythm, strength, location

Question 15

rate(pulse)

Answer 15

normal range is 60-100 beats per minutes
bradycardia: less than 60
tachycardia: more than 60
toddler: 90-140
preschooler: 80-110
School aged: 75-100
Adolescent: 60-90

Question 16

rhythm

Answer 16

interval between each beat, which should be regular

Question 17

strength

Answer 17

refers to the force of the wave of blood ejected from the heart, which is expected to be approx the same force with each beat

Question 18

location

Answer 18

pulse sites are those points located throughout the body where the pulse may be palpated

apical and brachial are recommended for infants and young children

Question 19

pulse deficit

Answer 19

exists when the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse; should be reported to the health care provider

Question 20

factors affecting pulse rate

Answer 20

exercise: increase
fever and heat: increase
need for oxygen: increase
medications: either increase or decrease
acute loss of blood: increase

Question 21

respirations

Answer 21

allows the body to bring in needed oxygen and give off the waste product carbon dioxide

Question 22

rate(respirations)

Answer 22

12-20 per minute

bradypnea: less than 12
tachypnea: greater than 20

Question 23

oxygen saturation

Answer 23

used to evaluate the diffusion and perfusion of oxygen in tissue
normal saturation: 95%-100%

Question 24

Blood Pressure

Answer 24

the force exerted on the walls of an artery by the pulsating blood under pressure from the heart

BP=COxPVR
Cardiac Output(CO)= Heart rate(HR) x Stroke Volume(SV)

Question 25

systolic pressure

Answer 25

sound of the highest force of the wave of blood as it is pushed from the heart; ejection of the blood occurs

TOP NUMBER

Question 26

diastolic pressure

Answer 26

measuring the lowest pressure; relaxation of the ventricles occurs

BOTTOM NUMBERS

Question 27

normal range for blood pressure

Answer 27

90-140/60-90

Question 28

pulse pressure

Answer 28

difference between the two pressures