Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

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

Week 4: Basic Observations Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Royal College: Emergency Medicine flashcards NREMT® Paramedic flashcards NREMT® EMT flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do you measure a pulse?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How long should you take a paediatrics pulse for?

A

1 whole minute

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are some common sites for palpating arterial pulses?

A
  • carotid
  • brachial
  • femoral
  • radial
  • popliteal
  • posterior tibia
  • dorsalis pedis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does tachycardia mean?

A

Rapid resting heart rate <100bpm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does bradycardia mean?

A

Slow heart rate >60bpm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are some factors that affect heart rate?

A
  • exercise
  • stress
  • illness
  • overdose/drugs/intoxicated
  • anxiety
  • excitement
  • cardiac related issues
  • pain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is respiratory rate?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What can resp rate be influenced by?

A
  • pain
  • stress
  • emotion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define tachypnoea

A

A raised respiratory rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define hyperventilation

A

When breathing removes more CO2 than is produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define dyspnea

A

Difficulty breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define orthopnea

A

Difficulty in breathing when laying flat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define apnea

A

No resp rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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 (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions