Week Twelve: Vital signs - BP & SpO2

Question 1

When should you assess vital signs?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is blood pressure measured in?

Answer 2

millimetres of mercury (mmHg)

Question 3

What is the order that bloods comes from in the heart?

Answer 3

Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins

Question 4

What is the physiology of Arteries

Answer 4

Lots of elastic tissue that allowthem to stretch,distend andrecoil between heartbeats.

Question 5

What is the physiology of Arterioles

Answer 5

normally partially contracted to create a relatively constant level of peripheral resistance –one of the main factors affecting blood pressure.

Question 6

What are physiological factors that contribute to blood pressure

Answer 6

Cardiac output, Peripheral vascular resistance, Circulating blood volume, Viscosity of blood, Elasticity of blood vessels

Question 7

What’s cardiac output?

Answer 7

the amount of blood pumped by the heart minute

Question 8

Why does Cardiac output affect blood pressure?

Answer 8

Blood pressureincreases when heart pumps more blood per minute.

Question 9

Whats Peripheral vascular resistance

Answer 9

The resistance in the circulatory system that is used to create blood pressure

Question 10

Why does Peripheral vascular resistance affect blood pressure?

Answer 10

an increase in resistance also increases blood pressure.

Question 11

What is Circulating blood volume?

Answer 11

The total amount of fluid circulating within the arteries, capillaries, veins, venules, and chambers of the heart at any time.

Question 12

How does Circulating blood volume affect BP?

Answer 12

blood pressure increases with volume

Question 13

What is Viscosity?

Answer 13

Viscosity is how thick or runny your blood is

Question 14

How does viscosity affect BP?

Answer 14

thicker blood increases pressure

Question 15

What is Elasticity of blood vessels?

Answer 15

The ability of vessel walls to revert to their original shape after being squeezed and stretched

Question 16

How does the elasticity of blood vessels affect BP?

Answer 16

Decreased elasticity increases blood pressure

Question 17

Is Pulse oximetry accurate?

Answer 17

No, for a more accurate reading, you will require an arterial blood gas analysis.

Question 18

What is Pulse amplitude?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

How does age contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 19

As people age they have increased blood pressure due to decreases elasticity in their arteries. The decrease of elasticity increases peripheral resistance.

Question 20

How does circadian rhythm contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 20

BP is lowest upon waking and rises 5-10 mmHg by late afternoon

Question 21

How does gender contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 21

Women have a lower BP compared to men of the same age. Until menopause.

Question 22

How does food intake contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 22

BP increases after eating

Question 23

How does exercise contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 23

systolic pressure increases during exercise.

Question 24

How does weight contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 24

Obese people have a higher BP

Question 25

How do emotions contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 25

Anger, fear, excitement and pain increase BP.

Question 26

How does body position contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 26

BP is lower when laying down

Question 27

How do medications contribute to BP variations in healthy people?

Answer 27

oral contraceptions cause mild increase of BP

Question 28

How does age affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 28

RR decreases with age

Question 29

How does gender affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 29

Male respiratory movements are mainly diaphragmatic whereas females involve greater intercostal muscle movements

Question 30

How does exercise affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 30

Increase RR and depth

Question 31

How does acid-based balance affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 31

Alterations in balance increase the rate and depth of respirations. Causing hyperventilation

Question 32

How does altitude affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 32

Short exposure to Increased altitude increases the rate and depth prior to adaption by increasing hemoglobin levels.

Question 33

How does a respiratory disease affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 33

Any change in respiratory function changes the RR.

Question 34

How does anemia affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 34

increases RR

Question 35

How do medications affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 35

may slow or increase rate and depth depending on what type.

Question 36

How does acute pain affect respiratory rate variations in healthy people?

Answer 36

Increase rate but may decrease depth.