Test your basic knowledge |

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. Side of wrist
Radial
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
bradycardia
bradypnea

2. The temperature is continuously elevated with less than 1 degree of variation within a 24-hour period.
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
constant
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.
Relapsing

3. Slow and shallow breathing - leads to hypoxemia.
Pulse pressure
bradypnea
intermittent
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures

4. Normal body temperature ranges?
low
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
97.5 to 99.5
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.

5. How cardiac contractions are normally initiated by the electrical impules emerging from what?
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
+2

6. Blood pressure for any adult should be no higher than
120/80
Diaphoresis
Systolic pressure
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

7. 3 yr old
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
constant
20-30
palpate

8. 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.
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
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
Cardiac Output
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures

9. Enviromental temperature BP?
ausculatation
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
orthostatic hypertension

10. Symptoms of hypoxia
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
+2

11. Bend of elbow
Brachial
shallow or slow breathing
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.
Diaphoresis

12. What characteristics should be noted when checking the pulse?
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
Kussmaul's respiration

13. BP at or lower 90/60.
hypotension
bradycardia
97.5 to 99.5
Rhonchi

14. Whisting sound of air forced past a partial obstruction - as found in asthma or emphysema.
bradycardia
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
wheeze
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.

15. When should rectal temperatures NOT be used?
Irregular
lysis
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.

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

17. The temperature of the deep tissues of the body
Core Temperature
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Respiration
popliteal

18. Barely palpable
absent
Brachial
Feeble
Nursing interventions to reduce fever

19. Low oxygen
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
hypoxia
Korotkoff sounds
Posterior tibial

20. Air movemtn causes heat to be transferred from the skin to the air molecules.
Convection
Stimulants increase the pulse rate. Depressants decrease the pulse rate.
Brachial
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

21. Alternating rise and fall of the temperature.
Relapsing
Pulse pressure
intermittent
Convection

22. Difficult and labored breathing - can often be accompanied by flared nostrils - anxious appearance - and statements such as I cant get enough air.
Evaporation
96.5 to 97.5
16-20
dyspnea

23. How does size affect pulse?
Axillary.
shallow or slow breathing
Biot's
Tall - slender people mayy ave a slower pulse rate than short - stout persons

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

25. The lower pressure exerted on the artery when the heart is at rest inbetween contractions.
Feeble
Diastolic pressure
bradycardia
120/70

26. Pulse lower than 60 beats per minute
Diastolic pressure
bradycardia
Kussmaul's respiration
30-80

27. 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.
30-80
120-139/80-89
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.
Hypothermia

28. State of insufficient oxygen
hypoxia
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking
Pulse pressure
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

29. By measuring the blood pressure you obtain vital info about what?
intermittent
BMR
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
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.

30. Does the respiration rate increase or decrease during fever?
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
Stroke Volume
Temporal
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.

31. What are the 5 vital signs?
Tachypnea
96.5 to 97.5
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia

32. What will happen in febrile stage if temperature is very high or temperature stays for a long amount of time?
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.
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
intermittent
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature

33. Obtaining the correct size for a cuff for BP?
low BP
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
140-159/90-99
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.

34. 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.
crackles
Diastolic pressure
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.
Stertor

35. High oxygen
shallow or slow breathing
hypoxemia
hyperoxia
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left

36. Those at risk for hypothermia include
postoperative patients wo have been cooled during surgery - newborn infants whose skin is exposed to cool room temperatures - elderly or debiliated patients - and those exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods.
tachycardia
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
Hyperventilation

37. Breathing is an involuntary automatic function controlled by the respiratory center located where?
Diastolic pressure
raises BP.
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem

38. This affects the character of the pulse.
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
Stroke Volume
crackles

39. No pulse palpable or heard on ausculation
120/70
absent
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.
Tachypnea

40. Measurement of oxygen
hypoxia
oximetry
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
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.

41. Korotkoff sounds Phase I: Tapping
72 bpm
96.5 to 97.5
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
orthostatic hypertension

42. Side of forehead
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
stridor
Temporal

43. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs and tissues and is initiated by the act of breathing.
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
Diastolic pressure
hyperoxia
Respiration

44. How is pulse best found?
tachycardia
16-20
carotid
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.

45. Whats the best position to take a rectal temperature?
left Sims position
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
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.
120-139/80-89

46. Korotkoff sounds Ausculatatory gap:
Apical
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
Respiration
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

47. How does disease increase the body's temperature?
16-20
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
+2
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia

48. Fast - deep respirations with abrupt pauses

49. 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
Respiration
Pedal pulse
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same

50. How does increased body temperature increase the pulse?
140-159/90-99
Conduction
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
The pulse rate increases at the rate of 7-10 beats for each degree of temperature