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. When should rectal temperatures NOT be used?
higher
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
Temporal
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.

2. Alternating rise and fall of the temperature.
constant
carotid
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
intermittent

3. 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.
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
Femoral
remittent

4. The temperature is continuously elevated with less than 1 degree of variation within a 24-hour period.
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.
constant
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.

5. How does size affect pulse?
hyperoxia
Tall - slender people mayy ave a slower pulse rate than short - stout persons
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
60 to 70 mL

6. The temperature falls to normal and then rises again in a repeating pattern.
72 bpm
Relapsing
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.
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.

7. Abrupt decline in fever
Crisis
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
popliteal
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

8. The average temperature in the older adult
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure
fever
96.5 to 97.5
Respiration

9. 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
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
Pedal pulse
Convection
96.5 to 97.5

10. Excessive sweat production
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
wheeze
Diaphoresis
bradycardia

11. How cardiac contractions are normally initiated by the electrical impules emerging from what?
hypoxia
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
30-80
Biot's

12. Irregular pulse - a period of normal rhythm broken by periods of irregularity or skipped beats.
orthostatic hypertension
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
arrhythmia

13. Side of neck
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
carotid
20-30
low

14. The lower pressure exerted on the artery when the heart is at rest inbetween contractions.
Diastolic pressure
It will also fall
Irregular
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures

15. Disappearance of sound. (marks diastolic pressure in adults)
+2
stridor
Korotkoff sounds Phase V: Silence
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat

16. Measurement of oxygen
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
Cardiac Output
oximetry
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing

17. How does external respiration occur?
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
Convection
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

18. Head injury BP?
dyspnea
BMR
raises BP.
Pulse pressure

19. Feel
Radial
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
palpate
Hypothermia

20. How does emotional stress raise the body's temperature?
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.
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
Biot's respirations

21. Continuous dry - rattling sounds heard on ausculation of the lungs caused by partial obstruction.
Stimulants increase the pulse rate. Depressants decrease the pulse rate.
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
low

22. 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
97.5 to 99.5
Crisis
Pulse

23. Pulse lower than 60 beats per minute
Convection
bradycardia
Dorsalis pedis
12-20

24. How does menstrual cycle and pregnancy raise the body's temperature?
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
pyrexia
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
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.

25. How does disease increase the body's temperature?
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
Posterior tibial
Tachypnea

26. Pulse above 100 beats per minute
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
tachycardia
30-80

27. Does the respiration rate increase or decrease during fever?
Axillary.
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
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.
Hypothermia

28. Rectal temperature are
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures
thready
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
Stertor

29. Stress & emotions. BP?
higher
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
hyperoxia
Stroke volume

30. What will happen in febrile stage if temperature is very high or temperature stays for a long amount of time?
ausculatation
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
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.
Diastolic pressure

31. Gradual return to a normal temperature
Core Temperature
stridor
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.
lysis

32. Average blood pressure should be
Nursing interventions to reduce fever
120/70
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures

33. 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.
bradypnea
Pulse
120/80

34. What patients should not use a glass thermometer orally?
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures
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.
Pedal pulse
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia

35. Average pulse rate for an adult
72 bpm
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
120/80
hyperoxia

36. Risk for prolonged hypertension
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Hypothermia
120/70
Stertor

37. What characteristics should be noted when checking the pulse?
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
Feeble
96.5 to 97.5

38. Carbon dioxide is carried as bicarbonate ion in the blood until it reaches where?
orthostatic hypertension
the lungs
oximetry
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.

39. 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.
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
Cardiac Output
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

40. The temperature of the deep tissues of the body
Core Temperature
Hyperventilation
120-139/80-89
Kussmaul's respiration

41. How is shock caused?
popliteal
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.
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
low BP

42. 1st stage of fever is?
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
lysis
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
30-80

43. A sudden change or muffling of the sound. (indicates diastolic pressure in children and some adults)
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.
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
Respiration

44. Elevated temperature
fever
low
bradypnea
ausculatation

45. Substances tat cause fever
120-139/80-89
oximetry
pyrogens
Femoral

46. Stage 2 hypertension
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
bradycardia
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
^160/^100

47. If blood becomes thicker - like when excessive blood cells are manufactured what happens to BP?
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.
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.

48. Top of left foot
Dorsalis pedis
fever
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.

49. Sex BP?
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
Convection
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.
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same

50. Enviromental temperature BP?
Systolic pressure
hypotension
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.