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. Average blood pressure should be
pyrexia
120/70
97.5 to 99.5
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.

2. The maximum pressure exerted on the artery during left ventricular contraction.
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
Korotkoff sounds
arrhythmia
Systolic pressure

3. Murmur or swishing sounds that increase as the cuff is deflated
remittent
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.
popliteal
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing

4. This affects the character of the pulse.
Korotkoff sounds Phase V: Silence
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.
Stroke Volume
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.

5. Inside ankle
Biot's
arrhythmia
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Posterior tibial

6. Whisting sound of air forced past a partial obstruction - as found in asthma or emphysema.
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases
wheeze
Increases as body tries to remove excess heat
the blood pressure will rise in order to push the blood along.

7. Weak and may be irregular
Tachypnea
Korotkoff sounds
fever
thready

8. 3 yr old
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
72 bpm
fever
20-30

9. Low oxygen
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
+1
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.
hypoxia

10. 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.
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
the lungs
Dorsalis pedis

11. Measurement of oxygen
Eupnea
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
oximetry
Posterior tibial

12. How is pulse best found?
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.
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
shallow or slow breathing
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.

13. 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.
pyrexia
remittent
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
hypotension

14. Barely palpable
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.
Feeble
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
thready

15. How does emotional stress raise the body's temperature?
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
Rhonchi
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.

16. Symptoms of hypoxia
+1
It increases to push the blood through more rigid pathways.
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
Pulse

17. The temperature of the deep tissues of the body
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.
Core Temperature
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.
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

18. Weak and regular (even beats wit poor force)
+1
ausculatation
Stroke Volume
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.

19. 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
hyperoxia
120/80
wheeze
Hyperventilation

20. Strong and regular ( even beats wit moderate force)
hypertension
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
constant
+2

21. How does physical exercise raise the body's temperature?
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.
Feeble
120/70
Hypothermia

22. What patients should not use a glass thermometer orally?
Feeble
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)
uncooperative patient - children - combative patients - dementia
BMR

23. Irregular pulse - a period of normal rhythm broken by periods of irregularity or skipped beats.
fever
Posterior tibial
arrhythmia
Feeble

24. High BP
hypertension
orthostatic hypertension
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.
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.

25. Axillary temperature are
hypoxemia
Diastolic pressure
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
oximetry

26. right arm vs. left arm/ arm vs. leg BP?
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
Diaphoresis
low
low BP

27. The temperature is continuously elevated with less than 1 degree of variation within a 24-hour period.
hypoxia
constant
Radial
Feeble

28. Air movemtn causes heat to be transferred from the skin to the air molecules.
Biot's
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
pyrogens
Convection

29. Normal body temperature ranges?
orthostatic hypertension
30-80
97.5 to 99.5
hypoxia

30. Stress & emotions. BP?
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
higher

31. Enviromental temperature BP?
bradypnea
Tachypnea
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.

32. People most at risk for hypertension
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese
It doesn't change in a healthy elderly patient but the pattern rhythm may be slightly irregular.
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
tachycardia

33. What are the 5 vital signs?
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
bradypnea

34. Drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position.
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.
+1
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
orthostatic hypertension

35. Fever above 100.2 F
Temperature will remain below 102 degrees with use of hypothermia blanket
systolic pressure indicated by faint - clear sound that gradually grow louder.
pyrexia
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same

36. Rectal temperature are
Biot's respirations
12-20
Cardiac Output
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures

37. Newborn
raises BP.
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
30-80
the lungs

38. If blood becomes thicker - like when excessive blood cells are manufactured what happens to BP?
the BP goes up because more pressure is needed to push the thicker fluid through the vascular system.
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
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.
140-159/90-99

39. Gas exchange in the blood occurs where?
wheeze
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
+1
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs

40. Stage 1 hypertension
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.
dyspnea
140-159/90-99
Systolic pressure

41. Are infants blood pressure low or high?
Eupnea
12-20
low
Diaphoresis

42. Slow and shallow breathing - leads to hypoxemia.
bradypnea
Apical
Radial
Brachial

43. Abrupt decline in fever
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
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
Crisis
Pulse

44. Head injury BP?
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
raises BP.
Respiration

45. 2nd stage of fever is?
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.
Femoral
raises BP.
Dorsalis pedis

46. By measuring the blood pressure you obtain vital info about what?
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
Tall - slender people mayy ave a slower pulse rate than short - stout persons
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients
bradycardia

47. How does external respiration occur?
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
+3
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
tachycardia

48. Absence of breathing
BMR
Biot's
16-20
apnea

49. While measuring the BP certain sounds may be heard that relate to the effect of the blood pressure cuff on the arterial wall.
temperature - pulse - respiration - blood pressure - and pain level.
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
Korotkoff sounds
Vascular resistance drops and the blood pressure decreases

50. No pulse palpable or heard on ausculation
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.
absent
thready
Rhonchi