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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.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

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. Drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position.
pyrexia
tachycardia
Pedal pulse
orthostatic hypertension

2. Side of wrist
raises BP.
96.5 to 97.5
72 bpm
Radial

3. Normal body temperature ranges?
97.5 to 99.5
Temporal
left Sims position
oximeter

4. How is pulse best found?
20-30
hypertension
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.
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia

5. What affects does aging do to the respiratory rate?
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
Biot's respirations
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
Hyperventilation

6. By measuring the blood pressure you obtain vital info about what?
^160/^100
Femoral
Crisis
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

7. Taking axillary temperature
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
raises BP.
place the thermometer in the center of the patients dry axilla. Ask patient to hold the arm tightly against the chest. Leave in place 3-8 minutes.
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.

8. Bend of knee
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
popliteal
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
140-159/90-99

9. What are the 5 vital signs?
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds

10. 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.
Cardiac Output
120-139/80-89
hypoxemia
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.

11. Encourage a large fluid intake - lower room temperature - increase air circulation - remove items of clothes - control or reduce the amount of body activity - carry out physicians orders
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
120-139/80-89
place the thermometer in the center of the patients dry axilla. Ask patient to hold the arm tightly against the chest. Leave in place 3-8 minutes.
Nursing interventions to reduce fever

12. What happens when vasodilation occurs?
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases

13. The pulse rate multiplied by the stroke volume. This is the amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle in 1 minute. Averaging at about 5mL per minute.
Cardiac Output
Irregular
Convection
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.

14. Average pulse rate for an adult
Dorsalis pedis
72 bpm
remittent
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

15. A normal - relaxed breathing pattern
shallow or slow breathing
Stertor
120/80
Eupnea

16. Both strong and weak beats occur within 1 minute
Pulse pressure
hypertension
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
Irregular

17. Measurement of oxygen
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
oximetry
dehydration - delirium - and convulsons may occur. Dehydration will occur because of lost with perspiration and more rapid breathing. Delirium and convulsions may occur because neurologic function is affected when the temperature in the brain rises.
Stertor

18. Weak and may be irregular
lysis
Pedal pulse
thready
bradycardia

19. What pulse is checked to determine whether there is any blockage of circulation in the artery up to that point - especially in patients who have had cardiac catherization using the femoral artery for the insertion of the catheter or those who had sur
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
Korotkoff sounds
Pedal pulse
lysis

20. The average temperature in the older adult
96.5 to 97.5
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.
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Eupnea

21. Adolescent
popliteal
higher
16-20
carotid

22. Increased rate and depth with panting and long grunting exhalation. Often seen with patients with acidosis and renal failure.

23. Substances tat cause fever
pyrogens
Stroke Volume
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.

24. Murmur or swishing sounds that increase as the cuff is deflated
hypotension
shallow or slow breathing
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
It will also fall

25. Risk for prolonged hypertension
Respiration
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.

26. Air movemtn causes heat to be transferred from the skin to the air molecules.
hypertension
ausculatation
97.5 to 99.5
Convection

27. Gas exchange in the blood occurs where?
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
wheeze
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.

28. Diurnal variation BP?
dyspnea
popliteal
Irregular
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone

29. 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.
BMR
constant
crackles

30. How does emotional stress raise the body's temperature?
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
12-20
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.
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.

31. How does menstrual cycle and pregnancy raise the body's temperature?
Pulse pressure
hypertension
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds

32. How is shock caused?
Diaphoresis
hypertension
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.

33. Breathing is an involuntary automatic function controlled by the respiratory center located where?
+3
Pulse pressure
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
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem

34. What patients should not use a glass thermometer orally?
97.5 to 99.5
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.
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
Korotkoff sounds

35. Blood pressure for any adult should be no higher than
left Sims position
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
120/80
hypoxia

36. Side of neck
carotid
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases
+2
Biot's

37. While measuring the BP certain sounds may be heard that relate to the effect of the blood pressure cuff on the arterial wall.
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Korotkoff sounds
hypoxemia

38. Groin area
Femoral
oximetry
Pedal pulse
Nursing interventions to reduce fever

39. How do you measure the apical pulse?
Temporal
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
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
Pulse pressure

40. Whisting sound of air forced past a partial obstruction - as found in asthma or emphysema.
wheeze
dehydration - delirium - and convulsons may occur. Dehydration will occur because of lost with perspiration and more rapid breathing. Delirium and convulsions may occur because neurologic function is affected when the temperature in the brain rises.
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure
Diastolic pressure

41. Elderly respiration
Pedal pulse
Pulse
16-20
72 bpm

42. Lobes in the lungs?
stridor
palpate
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
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

43. State of insufficient oxygen
hypoxia
+2
It will also fall
thready

44. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs and tissues and is initiated by the act of breathing.
Pulse
Systolic pressure
Respiration
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)

45. No pulse palpable or heard on ausculation
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
96.5 to 97.5
absent
^160/^100

46. The temperature falls to normal and then rises again in a repeating pattern.
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Relapsing

47. Slow and shallow breathing - leads to hypoxemia.
low BP
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
bradypnea
dyspnea

48. Shallow for two or three breaths with a period of variable apnea. occur in patients with increased intracranial pressure.

49. How do emotions increase the pulse rate?
Brachial
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
dyspnea
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes

50. 1st stage of fever is?
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
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
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.