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Measuring Vital Signs

Subjects : health-sciences, emergency-medicine

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
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. If the cardiac output falls what will happen to the BP?
oximeter
It will also fall
Korotkoff sounds
low

2. By measuring the blood pressure you obtain vital info about what?
^160/^100
hypoxia
Biot's respirations
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

3. When the vascular walls lose elasticity - as with arteriosclerosis and aging what happens to BP?
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
carotid
hypotension
120/80

4. How do you measure the apical pulse?
Diaphoresis
oximeter
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
popliteal

5. Weak and regular (even beats wit poor force)
Hyperventilation
hypotension
ausculatation
+1

6. How does emotional stress raise the body's temperature?
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
raises BP.
hypertension
higher

7. High oxygen
Rhonchi
Diaphoresis
20-30
hyperoxia

8. right arm vs. left arm/ arm vs. leg BP?
stridor
60 to 70 mL
hyperoxia
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.

9. How is shock caused?
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
oximetry
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
Stertor

10. respirations become faster and deeper - then slower and shallower wit a period of apnea - called the death rattle.
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.
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
Cheyenne-Stokes
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.

11. Head injury BP?
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
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
raises BP.

12. Barely palpable
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Feeble
remittent

13. High BP
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
Biot's respirations
hypertension
16-20

14. Healthly adult
12-20
popliteal
Korotkoff sounds
left Sims position

15. Heart
Apical
Cheyenne-Stokes
140-159/90-99
arrhythmia

16. How does increased body temperature increase the pulse?
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
low BP
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature
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.

17. What affects does aging do to the heart rate?

18. The pressure wave causing te arterial walls in the vascular system each time the heart contracts to force blood into an already full aorta.
dyspnea
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Pulse

19. Drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position.
Stertor
orthostatic hypertension
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
lysis

20. Taking a rectal temperature
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
hypoxia
Diastolic pressure
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling

21. Difficult and labored breathing - can often be accompanied by flared nostrils - anxious appearance - and statements such as I cant get enough air.
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
oximetry
dyspnea
the lungs

22. When the heart contracts How many mLs of blood is propelled into the aorta?
Diastolic pressure
60 to 70 mL
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
ausculatation

23. Lobes in the lungs?
97.5 to 99.5
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
16-20

24. Continuous dry - rattling sounds heard on ausculation of the lungs caused by partial obstruction.
BMR
Rhonchi
Respiration
Korotkoff sounds

25. A high temperature falls - usually in the morning - and again rises later in the day. The temperature never fails to normal in this type of fever until recovery occurs.
dyspnea
+2
hypotension
remittent

26. How does physical exercise raise the body's temperature?
hyperoxia
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.
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
shallow or slow breathing

27. 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
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
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Stroke volume
Nursing interventions to reduce fever

28. When should rectal temperatures NOT be used?
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
pyrexia
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
intermittent

29. Murmur or swishing sounds that increase as the cuff is deflated
60 to 70 mL
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
Diaphoresis
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing

30. Shock - hemorrhage - low cardiac output - inadequate volume of blood?
low BP
oximeter
20-30
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.

31. What characteristics should be noted when checking the pulse?
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
140-159/90-99
Korotkoff sounds Phase V: Silence
30-80

32. Normal body temperature ranges?
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
Hypothermia
97.5 to 99.5
Diastolic pressure

33. What should you do if you cannot determine BP by ausculation?
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.
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures
120-139/80-89
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.

34. Adolescent
16-20
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
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

35. Gas exchange in the blood occurs where?
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
hypotension
Feeble

36. A sudden change or muffling of the sound. (indicates diastolic pressure in children and some adults)
hyperoxia
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
96.5 to 97.5
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.

37. Pulse above 100 beats per minute
tachycardia
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
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
Crisis

38. How do emotions increase the pulse rate?
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.
Nursing interventions to reduce fever

39. Gradual return to a normal temperature
lysis
Axillary.
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures

40. Substances tat cause fever
bradypnea
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
Rhonchi
pyrogens

41. What patients should not use a glass thermometer orally?
Hyperventilation
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.

42. Carbon dioxide is carried as bicarbonate ion in the blood until it reaches where?
The pulse rate gradually diminishes from birth to adulthood
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
the lungs
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket

43. The rate at which heat is produced when the body is at rest.
Cheyenne-Stokes
Biot's
raises BP.
BMR

44. Blood pressure for any adult should be no higher than
120/80
20-30
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
Apical

45. What affects does aging do to the blood pressure?
Cheyenne-Stokes
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
oximetry
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.

46. Fast - deep respirations with abrupt pauses

47. Side of wrist
Femoral
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
Radial
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure

48. What affects does aging do to the respiratory rate?
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
crackles
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
72 bpm

49. The temperature is continuously elevated with less than 1 degree of variation within a 24-hour period.
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
constant
Pulse pressure
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.

50. Diurnal variation BP?
Biot's respirations
96.5 to 97.5
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
low BP