Week Eleven: Introduction to vital signs, documentation and handovers Flashcards
What are the vital signs?
Pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature
What is a Tympanic thermometer?
A thermometer that takes temperature from the ear
What are the reasons that may cause tympanic thermometers to be inaccurate?
The results can be altered by earwax, dust, and fingerprints.
What is a Digital thermometer?
a thermometer that takes temperature from the mouth.
What muscle is used to help hear high frequency sounds?
The diaphram because it screens out low-frequency sounds
What is the name of the blood pressure tool
Sphygmomanometer
What does a sphygmomanometer consist of?
A cuff and a manometer
How much should the width of the cuff cover someone’s arm?
40%
What is the normal pulse range for adolescence and older adults?
60-100 bp
What is the pulse regulated by?
Autonomic nervous system through the sinoatrial node –the pacemaker of the heart.
What decreases heart rate (nervous system)
Parasympathetic stimulation via the vagus nerve decreasesheart rate
What increases heart rate (nervous system)
Sympathetic stimulation increases the heart rate and force of contraction
What is Tachycardia?
Rapidheart rate (above 100 beats/min in an adult).
Why is Tachycardia bad?
Tachycardia decreases cardiac filling time, which decreases stroke volume and cardiac output (the amount of blood being ejected from the heart).
What is Bradycardia?
Heart rate below 60 beats/min in an adult
What is Pulse amplitude?
Describes the ‘fullness’ of the pulse, and reflects the strength of left ventricular contraction. It is assessed by the ‘feel’ of the blood flow through the artery.