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AHP 103 Emergency Care Skills in Paramedic Science > Week 4: Basic Observations > Flashcards

Week 4: Basic Observations Flashcards

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1
Q

Why do we take basic obs?

A

A baseline so abnormal changes can be identified and to make a plan for immediate treatment

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2
Q

What is heart rate/pulse?

A

The rise and fall of pressure associated with the contraction and relaxation of the heart, can be felt palpating an artery

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3
Q

How do you measure a pulse?

A

-measure for 1 minute ( or 30s X2)
- check for regularity, volume and character

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4
Q

How long should you take a paediatrics pulse for?

A

1 whole minute

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5
Q

What are some common sites for palpating arterial pulses?

A
  • carotid
  • brachial
  • femoral
  • radial
  • popliteal
  • posterior tibia
  • dorsalis pedis
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6
Q

What does tachycardia mean?

A

Rapid resting heart rate <100bpm

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7
Q

What does bradycardia mean?

A

Slow heart rate >60bpm

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8
Q

What are some factors that affect heart rate?

A
  • exercise
  • stress
  • illness
  • overdose/drugs/intoxicated
  • anxiety
  • excitement
  • cardiac related issues
  • pain
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9
Q

What is respiratory rate?

A

The first vital observation to alter in a patient who’s condition is deteriorating

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10
Q

What can resp rate be influenced by?

A
  • pain
  • stress
  • emotion
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11
Q

Define tachypnoea

A

A raised respiratory rate

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12
Q

Define hyperventilation

A

When breathing removes more CO2 than is produced

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13
Q

Define dyspnea

A

Difficulty breathing

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14
Q

Define orthopnea

A

Difficulty in breathing when laying flat

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15
Q

Define apnea

A

No resp rate

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16
Q

What are the two ways oxygen is transported to the tissues?

A

-98.5% bound to haemoglobin
-1.5% dissolved in the plasmas

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17
Q

What is pulse oximetry?

A

A measure of the amount of heamoglobin saturated with oxygen by projecting 2 pulsating beams of light through the peripheral blood vessel, a portion is absorbed by the HB and converted to saturation

18
Q

What is a normal value of SPO2?

A

> 95%

19
Q

When should you be mindful when taking SPO2?

A

Nail polish or cold peripherals

20
Q

When resting where generates the most heat?

A

Heart, liver, brain and endocrine glands

21
Q

What is a normal range for temperature?

A

36.5-37.2 C

22
Q

What is blood pressure?

A

The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The most simple indicator of haemodynamic well-being

23
Q

Why is blood pressure important?

A
  • oxygen transport
  • tissue perfusion
24
Q

What are the two numbers associated with blood pressure?

A
  • systolic (the highest pressure when the heart beats)
  • diastolic (the lowest pressure in between beats)
25
Q

What is the average blood pressure for a health adult?

A

120/80mmHg

26
Q

What are some physiological factors that affect blood pressure?

A
  • vol of blood
  • viscosity of blood
  • elasticity of arteries
  • pumping action of the heart
  • amount of resistance in the circulation
27
Q

What factors cause hypertension?

A
  • physical activity
  • strong emotion
  • obesity
  • heart disease
  • arteriosclerosis
  • vasoconstriction
  • circulatory overload
  • polycythemia
28
Q

What factors cause hypotension?

A
  • hypovolemia
  • lack of sympathetic tone-vasodilation
  • cardiac arryhthmias
  • anemia
29
Q

Define hypertension

A
  • systolic >140mmHg
  • diastolic >90mmHg
30
Q

Define hypotension

A
  • systolic <90mmHg
  • diastolic <60mmHg
31
Q

What do we use to measure blood pressure?

A

A sphygmomanometer and a stephoscope

32
Q

What are the three types of sphygmomanometers?

A
  • mercury
  • aneroid
  • automatic
33
Q

What is heard in phase 1 of Korotkoffs sounds?

A

First appearance of faint clear tapping sounds which gradually increase in intensity

34
Q

What is heard in phase 2 of korotkoffs sounds?

A

The softening of sounds which may be swishing

35
Q

What is heard in phase 3 of korotkoffs sounds?

A

The return of sharper sounds which become crisper but never fully regain then intensity of phase 1 sounds

36
Q

What is heard in phase 4 of korotkoffs sounds?

A

The distinct abrupt muffling of sounds, which become soft and blowing

37
Q

What is heard in phase 5 of korotkoffs sounds?

A

The point at which all sounds disappear completely

38
Q

In what order should we record obs?

A
  1. resp rate
  2. SPO2
  3. temp
  4. BP
  5. pulse rate
  6. level of consciousness
  7. blood glucose levels
  8. cap refill <2 seconds
39
Q

What does a low NEWS score (1-4) prompt?

A

An assessment from a registered nurse

40
Q

What does a medium NEWS score (5-6) prompt?

A

Urgent review by a clinical skilled with competencies in the assessment of acute illness

41
Q

What does a high NEWS score (7 or more) prompt?

A

The emergency assessment by a clinical team/critical care outreach team

42
Q

What are some red flags obs on adults?

A
  • NEWS 2 greater or equal to % and or look well with a Hx of infection
  • systolic is <90
  • HR > 130 bpm
  • RR > 35 bpm
  • oxygen is >925 and they require supplementary oxygen
    ACVPU is either VPU

AHP 103 Emergency Care Skills in Paramedic Science (12 decks)

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