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Measuring Vital Signs

Subjects : health-sciences, emergency-medicine

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
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This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Top of left foot
Pulse
Dorsalis pedis
left Sims position
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.

2. What should you do if you cannot determine BP by ausculation?
hyperoxia
the palpation method is used. put cuff over arm - feel the radial point to get the systolic pressure you cant get the diastolic this way.
20-30
stridor

3. What affects does aging do to the blood pressure?
20-30
thready
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients

4. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs and tissues and is initiated by the act of breathing.
Respiration
bradycardia
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature
hyperoxia

5. Are infants blood pressure low or high?
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
When an accurate temperature cant be obtained orally and a tympanic or temporal artery thermometer are not available. It may be used when there is nasal congestion or there has been nasal or oral surgery - the patient is unable to keep their mouth cl
low
Tachypnea

6. Abnormal - nonmusical sound heard on ausculation of the lungs during inspiration; also called rales. Sound like hair rubbed between the fingers next to the ears.
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.
The body's temperature in the morning is usually low from inactivity of the muscles. The afternooon body temperature may be high-normal because of the body's metabolic processes - the patient's activity - and the temperature of the environment.
crackles
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.

7. Korotkoff sounds Ausculatatory gap:
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
1) ventilation - Which is the movement of air in and out of the lung. 2) dispersion of air throughout the bronchial tree of the lungs; 3) diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules across the alveolar membranes; 4) perfusion - the movement of b
60 to 70 mL
bradycardia

8. How does the time of day (circadian rhythm) affect the body's temperature?

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9. When should rectal temperatures be used?
When an accurate temperature cant be obtained orally and a tympanic or temporal artery thermometer are not available. It may be used when there is nasal congestion or there has been nasal or oral surgery - the patient is unable to keep their mouth cl
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
lysis
Hypothermia

10. Heat is lost from the body by evaporation. resulting in a daily loss of 800mL of water from skin and lungs.
Onset - which may occur gradually or suddenly. the body responds to a pyrogen by trying to conserve and manufacture heat to raise the set point for core temperature. The person will feel cold - and will add clothes or covers - curl up in a ball - and
Evaporation
Eupnea
It will also fall

11. How do drugs affect pulse?
Stimulants increase the pulse rate. Depressants decrease the pulse rate.
remittent
The body's temperature in the morning is usually low from inactivity of the muscles. The afternooon body temperature may be high-normal because of the body's metabolic processes - the patient's activity - and the temperature of the environment.
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature

12. When is apicial pulse used?
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.
Systolic pressure
hypoxia
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure

13. Absence of breathing
30-80
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.
apnea
BMR

14. Crowing sound on inspiration caused by obstruction of the upper air passages - as occurs in croup or laryngitis
^160/^100
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
Feeble
stridor

15. Elderly respiration
raises BP.
16-20
remittent
intermittent

16. An example of a nursing diagnoses
Diaphoresis
1) ventilation - Which is the movement of air in and out of the lung. 2) dispersion of air throughout the bronchial tree of the lungs; 3) diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules across the alveolar membranes; 4) perfusion - the movement of b
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure
Biot's

17. The temperature of the deep tissues of the body
Radial
Hyperventilation
Conduction
Core Temperature

18. How is pulse best found?
raises BP.
Diaphoresis
by placing the flat part of the first fingers against the tendon - or cord - on the thumb inside of the inner wrist and ten rolling the fingers slightly outward into the little trough on the thumb inside the wrist.
Kussmaul's respiration

19. Substances tat cause fever
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases
popliteal
Irregular
pyrogens

20. How does increased body temperature increase the pulse?
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
crackles

21. Enviromental temperature BP?
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
It uses large muscles in the body - which create body heat by burning up the glucose and fat in the tissues - muscle action generates heat and core temperature rises.
fever
Irregular

22. The volume of blood pushed into the aorta per heartbeat.
Stroke volume
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.
20-30
hypoxia

23. Irregular pulse - a period of normal rhythm broken by periods of irregularity or skipped beats.
arrhythmia
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
1) ventilation - Which is the movement of air in and out of the lung. 2) dispersion of air throughout the bronchial tree of the lungs; 3) diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules across the alveolar membranes; 4) perfusion - the movement of b

24. 2nd stage of fever is?
bradypnea
Febrile stage - the body temperature rises to a new set point established by the hypothalamus and remains there until there is a resolution to the cause of fever.
Brachial
hypoxia

25. Why would patients experience orthostatic hypotenstion?
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
wheeze
the palpation method is used. put cuff over arm - feel the radial point to get the systolic pressure you cant get the diastolic this way.

26. Subnormal body temperature the regulating center in the hypothalamus is greatly impaired when the temperature of the body falls below 94 degrees - at that point? sleepiness and coma are apt to develop.
Dorsalis pedis
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking
Hypothermia

27. How should respirations be counted?
Dorsalis pedis
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
shallow or slow breathing
72 bpm

28. Feel
Febrile stage - the body temperature rises to a new set point established by the hypothalamus and remains there until there is a resolution to the cause of fever.
palpate
Stertor
hypertension

29. Adolescent
16-20
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure

30. What are the 5 vital signs?
Femoral
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
stridor
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.

31. How cardiac contractions are normally initiated by the electrical impules emerging from what?
pyrogens
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.

32. A pattern of breathing in which there is an increase in the rate and the depth of breaths and carbon dioxide is expelled - causing te blood level of carbon dioxide to fall. this condition is seen after sever exertion - during high levels of anxiety o
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.
Kussmaul's respiration
bradypnea
Hyperventilation

33. Breathing is an involuntary automatic function controlled by the respiratory center located where?
hyperoxia
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
Evaporation
It uses large muscles in the body - which create body heat by burning up the glucose and fat in the tissues - muscle action generates heat and core temperature rises.

34. Korotkoff sounds Phase I: Tapping
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
Systolic pressure
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)

35. Continuous dry - rattling sounds heard on ausculation of the lungs caused by partial obstruction.
determine if the patient has a known heart arrhythmia - perform hand hygiene - expose the left chest - warm the stethoscope in hand for a min or 2 - locate the apex of the heart by palpating for the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line. li
Rhonchi
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone

36. Excessive sweat production
Systolic pressure
Diaphoresis
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
determine if the patient has a known heart arrhythmia - perform hand hygiene - expose the left chest - warm the stethoscope in hand for a min or 2 - locate the apex of the heart by palpating for the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line. li

37. Decreased levels of oxygen in the blood - often seen in patients wo are under medical sedation - who are recovering from anesthesia or abdominal surgery - or who are in a weak or debiliated condition.
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
hypoxemia
Pulse
raises BP.

38. When should rectal temperatures NOT be used?
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
wheeze
Diaphoresis

39. Symptoms of hypoxia
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
Pedal pulse
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds

40. High oxygen
hyperoxia
by placing the flat part of the first fingers against the tendon - or cord - on the thumb inside of the inner wrist and ten rolling the fingers slightly outward into the little trough on the thumb inside the wrist.
popliteal
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.

41. Newborn
arrhythmia
30-80
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.
Pulse pressure

42. How is shock caused?
fever
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
left Sims position

43. right arm vs. left arm/ arm vs. leg BP?
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
120/70
Feeble
+3

44. What happens when vasodilation occurs?
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
wheeze
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases
Cardiac Output

45. How do emotions increase the pulse rate?
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
apnea
140-159/90-99

46. Head injury or any increased intracranial pressure will depress the respiratory center and result in?
shallow or slow breathing
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
Stroke Volume

47. Heart
Temporal
Respiration
Apical
BMR

48. Abrupt decline in fever
Crisis
+3
bradypnea
dyspnea

49. Groin area
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
Femoral
+2
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs

50. Bend of elbow
popliteal
Eupnea
Feeble
Brachial