Week Twelve: Vital signs - BP & SpO2 Flashcards
When should you assess vital signs?
1) Anytime there is a change in a person’s condition.
2) Before administering medications that affect cardiovascular or respiratory function.
3) Before and after any surgical or invasive procedure.
4) On admission
5) If the patient loses consciousness
What is blood pressure measured in?
millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
What is the order that bloods comes from in the heart?
Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins
What is the physiology of Arteries
Lots of elastic tissue that allowthem to stretch,distend andrecoil between heartbeats.
What is the physiology of Arterioles
normally partially contracted to create a relatively constant level of peripheral resistance –one of the main factors affecting blood pressure.
What are physiological factors that contribute to blood pressure
Cardiac output, Peripheral vascular resistance, Circulating blood volume, Viscosity of blood, Elasticity of blood vessels
What’s cardiac output?
the amount of blood pumped by the heart minute
Why does Cardiac output affect blood pressure?
Blood pressureincreases when heart pumps more blood per minute.
Whats Peripheral vascular resistance
The resistance in the circulatory system that is used to create blood pressure
Why does Peripheral vascular resistance affect blood pressure?
an increase in resistance also increases blood pressure.
What is Circulating blood volume?
The total amount of fluid circulating within the arteries, capillaries, veins, venules, and chambers of the heart at any time.
How does Circulating blood volume affect BP?
blood pressure increases with volume
What is Viscosity?
Viscosity is how thick or runny your blood is
How does viscosity affect BP?
thicker blood increases pressure
What is Elasticity of blood vessels?
The ability of vessel walls to revert to their original shape after being squeezed and stretched
How does the elasticity of blood vessels affect BP?
Decreased elasticity increases blood pressure
Is Pulse oximetry accurate?
No, for a more accurate reading, you will require an arterial blood gas analysis.
What is Pulse amplitude?
Describes the quality of the pulse, and reflects the strength of left ventricular contraction. It is assessed by the feel of the blood flow through the artery.
How does age contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
As people age they have increased blood pressure due to decreases elasticity in their arteries. The decrease of elasticity increases peripheral resistance.
How does circadian rhythm contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
BP is lowest upon waking and rises 5-10 mmHg by late afternoon
How does gender contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
Women have a lower BP compared to men of the same age. Until menopause.
How does food intake contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
BP increases after eating
How does exercise contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
systolic pressure increases during exercise.
How does weight contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
Obese people have a higher BP
How do emotions contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
Anger, fear, excitement and pain increase BP.
How does body position contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
BP is lower when laying down
How do medications contribute to BP variations in healthy people?
oral contraceptions cause mild increase of BP
How does age affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
RR decreases with age
How does gender affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Male respiratory movements are mainly diaphragmatic whereas females involve greater intercostal muscle movements
How does exercise affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Increase RR and depth
How does acid-based balance affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Alterations in balance increase the rate and depth of respirations. Causing hyperventilation
How does altitude affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Short exposure to Increased altitude increases the rate and depth prior to adaption by increasing hemoglobin levels.
How does a respiratory disease affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Any change in respiratory function changes the RR.
How does anemia affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
increases RR
How do medications affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
may slow or increase rate and depth depending on what type.
How does acute pain affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?
Increase rate but may decrease depth.
