Vitals Skill Flashcards
Week1
What are the 5 primary vitals to check?
Blood pressure (BP), pulse, respiration, skin, and pupils
What are the two components of a BP reading?
Systolic and Diastolic pressure
Whats an average systolic pressure
120mmHg
Whats an average diastolic pressure
80mmHg
Where do you locate the pulse for taking BP?
Brachial artery at the anterior medial elbow
Which pressure do you hear first in the stethoscope?
Systolic pressure (the higher number)
How do you find the diastolic pressure?
The last auditory pulse in the stethoscope
Define Systolic
The pressure against the walls of the artery caused by the heart contracting
Define Diastolic
The pressure against the walls of the artery when the heart is relaxing
What are the three components of Pulse
rate, rhythm, quality
Which fingers do you use to obtain a pulse?
index and middle
Why do you not use your thumb?
The thumb has its own pulse, and can interfere with your reading
What are the three components of respiration?
Rate, rhythm, and depth
How should you measure respiration if irregularity is suspected?
Measure for 60 seconds instead of 30.
What is a typical reading?
12bpm, regular, normal
Define rate for respiration
Number of breaths in 60 seconds
Define rhythm for respiration
regular vs irregular
Define depth for respiration
deep, shallow, normal
What are the three components of skin vitals?
color, temperature, and condition
What is a normal reading for skin?
unremarkable, warm, dry
How do you measure skin condition?
Using back of hand, test the skin on the neck for most accurate results
Why do you use your back of the hand instead of palm?
Palm is normally warmer, moister, and less sensitive.
Define Color conditions for skin
unremarkable, jaundiced (yellow), pale, cyanotic (blue), mottled, flushed, etc
Define temperature conditions for skin
cool, warm, hot, etc
Define condition qualities for skin
dry, moist, diaphoretic (excessive sweat), clammy
How are some other ways to assess skin color?
nail beds, conjunctiva, and mucous membranes
What are the three components of pupils?
Reactivity, roundness, equality
What are normal conditions for pupils?
Pupils are Equal, Round and Reactive to Light (PERRL)
How do you obtain reactivity for pupils?
Use a pen light to assess pupil size in response to changes in light
How do you obtain equality for pupils?
Mask one eye from the pen light and test if both pupils change when one is subject to changes in light
What are normal BP ranges for adults?
(90-120)/(60-80)
What are normal pulse ranges for adults?
60-100bpm
What are normal respiration ranges for adults?
12-20bpm
What are normal skin conditions for adults?
Warm, dry, and unremarkable
What are normal pupil conditions for adults?
Pupils are Equal, Round and Reactive to Light (PERRL)
Define hypertensive
BP above normal range
Define hypotensive
BP blow normal range
Define tachycardic
Pulse rate above normal range
Define bradycardic
Pulse rate below normal range
Define tachypneic
Respiration rate above normal average
Define bradyneic
Respiration rate below normal average
