WEEK 2

Question 1

Vital signs provide important information on the condition of a persons what ?

Answer 1

Vital organs

Question 2

What do normal vital signs reflect ?

Answer 2

Reflect physiological wellbeing

Question 3

What do abnormal vital signs reflect ?

Answer 3

May be a warning for early clinical deterioration.

Question 4

5 times to check vital signs

Answer 4

1. On admission - to establish baseline data
2. When pt has a change in health status or reports symptoms
3. Before, during and after any surgery or invasive procedure
4. Before and after administration of any medications that may affect eg. Restorations or pulse
5. After any incident, accident or injury that occurs in the health care setting

Question 5

Define inspiration/inhalation

Answer 5

Intake of air into the lungs

Question 6

Define expiration/exhalation

Answer 6

Movement of gases from lungs to atmosphere

Question 7

Define ventilation

Answer 7

Movement of air in and out of the lungs

Question 8

Factors that increase restorations

Answer 8

Stress. Exercise. Increased environmental temp. Lowered oxygen concentration.

Question 9

Factors that decrease respirations.

Answer 9

Decreased environmental temp. Certain meds (narcotics). Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Question 10

What is costal/thoracic breathing ?

Answer 10

Cheats breathing - using intercostal muscles rather than through the lungs via the diaphragm
Observed by movement of the chest upward and outward

Question 11

What is diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing ?

Answer 11

Contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm

Observed by movement of the abdomen

Question 12

Define eupnoea

Answer 12

Normal breathing

Question 13

Define bradypnoea

Answer 13

Abnormally slow breathing

Question 14

Define tachypnoea

Answer 14

Abnormally fast breathing

Question 15

Define apnoea

Answer 15

A sense of breathing

Remember ‘a’ means lacking !!

Question 16

What are the three different depths for respirations. ?

Answer 16

Deep / shallow / normal

Question 17

What is tidal volume ?

Answer 17

The amount of air inhaled

Question 18

What is labored breathing ?

Answer 18

Putting in effort to breathe

Question 19

What is stridor breath sound ?

Answer 19

A shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal obstruction

Question 20

What is stertor breath sound ?

Answer 20

Snoring or deep respiration sound, usually due to obstruction of upper airway

Question 21

What is wheeze respiration sound ?

Answer 21

Continuous high pitches squeak or whistling sound heard during inhalation or expiration

Question 22

What is a bubbling respiration sound ?

Answer 22

Gurgling sounds heard as said passes through moist secreations in respiratory tract

Question 23

What does a pulse oximeter measure ?

Answer 23

The saturation of arterial oxygen.

Question 24

List 5 factors that affect an spo2 reading

Answer 24

1. Haemoglobin
2. Dark colored nail polish or discoloured nail beds
3. Activity eg shivering
4. Carbon monoxide poisoning (cannot tell difference between carbon monoxide and oxygen)
5. Circulation

Question 25

What is systolic pressure.?

Answer 25

Pressure blood exerts against arterial walls during ventricular contraction

Question 26

What is diastolic pressure ?

Answer 26

Pressure blood exerts on arterial walls during ventricular relaxation

Question 27

What is pulse pressure

Answer 27

Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure .

Should be around 40mmHg difference