VITAL SIGNS PAPASA

Vital Signs

Includes body temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure, monitored to assess body functions.

Body Temperature

Reflects the balance between heat produced and heat lost from the body, measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Core Temperature

Temperature of the deep tissues of the body, such as the abdominal and pelvic cavity.

Surface Temperature

Temperature of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat.

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)

Rate of energy utilization in the body required to maintain life-sustaining activities.

Heat Production Factors

Includes BMR, muscle activity, thyroxine output, epinephrine, and norepinephrine level changes.

Heat Loss - Radiation

Transfer of heat from one object to another without contact, primarily through infrared rays.

Heat Loss - Conduction

Transfer of heat from one molecule to a molecule of lower temperature.

Heat Loss - Convection

Dispersion of heat by air currents.

Heat Loss - Vaporization

Continuous evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract, mucosa, and skin.

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature.

Physiological Responses to Increase Body Temperature

Includes shivering, inhibition of sweating, and vasoconstriction.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature - Age

Older individuals (over 75) are at higher risk of hypothermia.

Diurnal Variations

Daily changes in body temperature, typically highest in the late afternoon and lowest in early morning.

Strenuous Exercise

Can elevate body temperature to 38.3-40 degrees Celsius.

Hormonal Effects on Body Temperature

Progesterone during ovulation can increase body temperature by 0.3 to 0.6 degrees Celsius.

Pyrexia

A condition of fever, where body temperature exceeds the normal range.

Intermittent Fever

Temperature elevates but returns to normal within 24 hours.

Remittent Fever

Wide fluctuations in temperature that all remain above normal over 24 hours.

Relapsing Fever

Short periods of fever alternating with periods of normal temperature.

Constant Fever

Minimal fluctuations but always above normal temperature.

Clinical Signs of Hyperthermia

Includes chills, shivering, pallid skin, headache, and flushing.

Hypothermia

A core body temperature below the lower limit of normal.

Mechanisms of Hypothermia

Excessive heat loss, inadequate heat production, and impaired thermoregulation.

Clinical Manifestations of Hypothermia

Includes decreased body temperature, severe shivering, and pale waxy skin.

Types of Thermometers - Electronic

Provides readings in 2 to 60 seconds.

Types of Thermometers - Chemical Disposable

Heat sensitive tape or patches that change color to indicate temperature.

Types of Thermometers - Temporal Artery

Readily accessible, reflects core temperature, and very fast.

Temperature Scales - Celsius

Calculated with (Fahrenheit temp - 32) x 5/9.

Temperature Scales - Fahrenheit

Calculated with (Celsius temp x 9/5) + 32.

Pulse

Wave of blood created by contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.

Factors Affecting Pulse

Includes age, gender, exercise, fever, and medications.

Pulse Sites

Locations to measure pulse include temporal, carotid, and radial.

Respiration

The act of breathing, involving inhalation and exhalation.

Types of Breathing

Includes costal (thoracic) and diaphragmatic (abdominal) types.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow respiration rate.

Tachypnea

Abnormally fast respiration rate.

Eupnea

Breathing that is normal in rate and depth.

Apnea

Absence of breathing.

Factors Affecting Respiration

Includes exercise, positional changes, and pathology.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels.

Hypotension

Blood pressure below normal.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up after sitting or lying down.

Korotkoff Sounds

Sounds heard through a stethoscope or doppler when measuring blood pressure.

IPPA

Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation - a physical assessment technique.

Inspection in Physical Assessment

Observing body parts for size, shape, color, symmetry, and abnormalities.

Palpation Techniques

Includes light and deep palpation to assess tenderness and organ size.

Percussion

Striking body surfaces to produce sounds that provide information about underlying tissues.

Auscultation

Listening to sounds created in body organs to detect variations from normal.

PERCUSSION TONES - Flat

Soft sound, associated with muscle and bone.

PERCUSSION TONES - Dull

Medium intensity sound, associated with liver.

PERCUSSION TONES - Resonance

Loud sound, associated with normal lung.

PERCUSSION TONES - Tympany

Loud sound, associated with stomach filled with gas.

Patient Positioning for Assessment

Patient positions include dorsal recumbent, supine, sitting, and lithotomy.

Physical Assessment Preparation

Involves preparing environment, equipment, and providing client privacy.

Special Considerations in Abdominal Assessment

Sequence includes inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.