WEEK 2 Flashcards
Vital signs provide important information on the condition of a persons what ?
Vital organs
What do normal vital signs reflect ?
Reflect physiological wellbeing
What do abnormal vital signs reflect ?
May be a warning for early clinical deterioration.
5 times to check vital signs
- On admission - to establish baseline data
- When pt has a change in health status or reports symptoms
- Before, during and after any surgery or invasive procedure
- Before and after administration of any medications that may affect eg. Restorations or pulse
- After any incident, accident or injury that occurs in the health care setting
Define inspiration/inhalation
Intake of air into the lungs
Define expiration/exhalation
Movement of gases from lungs to atmosphere
Define ventilation
Movement of air in and out of the lungs
Factors that increase restorations
Stress. Exercise. Increased environmental temp. Lowered oxygen concentration.
Factors that decrease respirations.
Decreased environmental temp. Certain meds (narcotics). Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
What is costal/thoracic breathing ?
Cheats breathing - using intercostal muscles rather than through the lungs via the diaphragm
Observed by movement of the chest upward and outward
What is diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing ?
Contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm
Observed by movement of the abdomen
Define eupnoea
Normal breathing
Define bradypnoea
Abnormally slow breathing
Define tachypnoea
Abnormally fast breathing
Define apnoea
A sense of breathing
Remember ‘a’ means lacking !!
