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. 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
Hyperventilation
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
Diastolic pressure

2. Continuous dry - rattling sounds heard on ausculation of the lungs caused by partial obstruction.
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure
12-20
Rhonchi
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.

3. Low oxygen
Diaphoresis
120/80
hypoxia
orthostatic hypertension

4. This affects the character of the pulse.
Tall - slender people mayy ave a slower pulse rate than short - stout persons
Stroke Volume
bradypnea
+2

5. Breathing is an involuntary automatic function controlled by the respiratory center located where?
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.
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
pyrexia

6. Obtaining the correct size for a cuff for BP?
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
hypoxia
tachycardia
The pulse rate gradually diminishes from birth to adulthood

7. While measuring the BP certain sounds may be heard that relate to the effect of the blood pressure cuff on the arterial wall.
Korotkoff sounds
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
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.
Relapsing

8. 3 yr old
intermittent
120/70
20-30
Stroke volume

9. Why would patients experience orthostatic hypotenstion?
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
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
97.5 to 99.5

10. Drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position.
orthostatic hypertension
Respiration
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.
ausculatation

11. Gradual return to a normal temperature
lysis
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
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.
Rhonchi

12. What characteristics should be noted when checking the pulse?
absent
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Diastolic pressure
140-159/90-99

13. What are the 5 vital signs?
Hypothermia
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
+3
fever

14. Risk for prolonged hypertension
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
16-20
Stertor
Irregular

15. How does external respiration occur?
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
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
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Pulse pressure

16. An example of nursing planning
Posterior tibial
12-20
crackles
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket

17. Louder knocking sound that occurs wit each heartbeat
hypotension
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking
Pulse
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.

18. How should respirations be counted?
30 seconds and multiplied by 2. unless the person is very sick or has resp. problems you should count for one full minute.
bradypnea
120/70
Axillary.

19. Signs and symptoms of shock
hypertension
tachycardia
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.
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.

20. Heart
Cheyenne-Stokes
Irregular
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.
Apical

21. Measurement of oxygen
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Stertor
+2
oximetry

22. Lobes in the lungs?
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
Pedal pulse

23. If blood becomes thicker - like when excessive blood cells are manufactured what happens to BP?
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
oximeter
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.

24. People most at risk for hypertension
the lungs
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
Feeble
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.

25. How should baby's temperature be taken?
+2
Axillary.
Pedal pulse
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.

26. Healthly adult
Nursing interventions to reduce fever
12-20
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.
intermittent

27. Groin area
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
intermittent
Femoral
popliteal

28. By measuring the blood pressure you obtain vital info about what?
orthostatic hypertension
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
Kussmaul's respiration
Diastolic pressure

29. 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.
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
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.
Hypothermia
bradypnea

30. Korotkoff sounds Phase I: Tapping
low BP
shallow or slow breathing
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients

31. Weak and regular (even beats wit poor force)
140-159/90-99
+1
left Sims position
hypoxemia

32. Weak and may be irregular
thready
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
carotid
absent

33. How is pulse best found?
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.
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
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.
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs

34. Difficult and labored breathing - can often be accompanied by flared nostrils - anxious appearance - and statements such as I cant get enough air.
Femoral
dyspnea
constant
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.

35. right arm vs. left arm/ arm vs. leg BP?
20-30
Cheyenne-Stokes
absent
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.

36. Sex BP?
12-20
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

37. Diurnal variation BP?
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
Relapsing

38. How is shock caused?
Cardiac Output
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.
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.

39. Full and bounding (even beats wit strong force)
carotid
Crisis
20-30
+3

40. 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
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
Crisis
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.

41. Stage 1 hypertension
The pulse rate gradually diminishes from birth to adulthood
120/80
140-159/90-99
Pulse

42. Increased or rapid breathing results from te presence of fever and a number or diseases. breathing rate increased about 4 breaths for each degree increase in temperature.
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
140-159/90-99
hyperoxia
Tachypnea

43. Stage 2 hypertension
^160/^100
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
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.

44. Elevated temperature
hypoxia
fever
140-159/90-99
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.

45. 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.
Hypothermia
higher
^160/^100
crackles

46. respirations become faster and deeper - then slower and shallower wit a period of apnea - called the death rattle.
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.
Cheyenne-Stokes
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.

47. Gas exchange in the blood occurs where?
Eupnea
thready
Axillary.
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs

48. How cardiac contractions are normally initiated by the electrical impules emerging from what?
stridor
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
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.
Kussmaul's respiration

49. Axillary temperature are
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
Crisis
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
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

50. Macine that measures oxygen in the blood by determining the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound with oxygen.
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
oximeter
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
Stroke volume