week 11 - pt. 2 (vital signs)

Question 1

what is temperature? normal body temp?

Answer 1

• difference between the heat produced by body metabolism and heat lost through the skin
• normal body temp is 37c

Question 2

Temperature measurements: core temperature

Answer 2

rectal (37 - 37.5)
tympanic (36 - 37.5)

Question 3

temperature measurements: surface temperature

Answer 3

skin (36.5 - 37.5)
oral (36.5 - 37.5)
axilla (35.9 - 37.2)

Question 4

Febrile & afebrile

Answer 4

febrile - fever
afebrile - absence of fever

Question 5

pyrogen & antipyretic

Answer 5

pyrogen - something that creates a fever
antipyretic - prevents a fever (ibuprofen)

Question 6

diaphoresis & diaphoretic

Answer 6

diaphoresis - decreases sweating
diaphoretic - increasing sweating

Question 7

respiratory rate assessment terms: ventilation

Answer 7

mechanical aspect of breathing (in & out)

Question 8

respiratory rate assessment terms: perfusion

Answer 8

spread of oxygen throughout the body (oxygen saturation)

Question 9

respiratory rate assessment terms: diffusion

Answer 9

exchange of gases

Question 10

assessing ventilation, perfusion, diffusion

Answer 10

• ventilations by assessing rate, rhythm, depth, and effort of respirations
• diffusion & perfusion indirectly via SPO2

Question 11

assessing respirations

Answer 11

1. rate - # of inspirations/expirations per 30 sec (inspect chest moving in and out)
2. rhythm: regularity of inspiration/expiration (observe muscle group use, how the chest moves in/out, irregular/regular)
3. depth/effort: degree of movement in chest wall, use of accessory muscles (abdomen, shoulder, effort needed to move air)

Question 12

respiratory rate assessment

Answer 12

• count for 60 seconds in children, irregular respirations, very slow or very fast respirations
• 30 seconds times 2 most of the time

Question 13

expected values for respiratory rate

Answer 13

-newborns and infants often have faster respiratory rate 25-40
- adults lower normally around 12-20

Question 14

tachypnea & bradypnea

Answer 14

tachypnea - fast breathing
bradypnea - slow breathing

Question 15

dyspnea & apnea

Answer 15

dyspnea - difficulty breathing
apnea - lack of breathing

Question 16

oxygen saturation (SpO2)

Answer 16

• indirect measurement of oxygen in a patient’s blood
• infrared light source “reads” patient’s red blood cells, determines percent of these that are fully stocked with oxygen
• measurement is coupled with observation/physical assessment to reveal issues around oxygenation
• 95-100, considered normal

“patients can have 100%, but be profoundly deprived of oxygen)

Question 17

factors to consider measuring SpO2

Answer 17

• finger all the way in
• red light on nail
• prevent shaking
• can use toes