Vital Signs Study Guide

characteristics of sounds heard by auscultation 

• intensity: measures how loud or soft a body sound is 

• pitch: body sounds by their frequency 

Tympanic

temperature by the ear

acute pain

sudden, sharp pain that lasts for a short time and usually goes away as the body heals

• fracture, trauma soft tissue injury

nociceptive pain

pain caused by injury to body tissue

• pain from a bruise, infection, or bone or muscular injury, all of which are temporary

neuropathic pain

pain caused by damage to the nervous system

• diabetic patients (nerve damage in the body caused by high blood sugar)

persistent / chronic pain

pain that lasts longer than the expected healing time

• arthritis, back pain, cancer-related pain

referred pain

pain perceived at another location

• brain freeze (cold mouth pain felt in the forehead)

• heart attack pain felt in the left arm, shoulder, or jaw

phantom pain

the feeling of pain from a body part that is no longer physically attached or present

• breast pain post mastectomy

A-delta fibers are associated with what type of pain ?

acute pain

C fibers are associated with what type of pain ?

slower, more persistent type of pain that is dull, aching, throbbing, or burning

pain threshold

the exact point at which a harmless sensation—such as heat, cold, or pressure—turns into actual pain

pain tolerance

the maximum level of pain a person can comfortably or safely endure before wanting to stop or seek relief

FLACC scale

an observational tool used by healthcare providers to measure pain in infants, young children, and individuals who cannot communicate

Describe how to conduct a pain assessment for a non-verbal ADULT patients

(NVPS) evaluates pain in adults who cannot communicate by observing five specific behavioral and physiological categories.

• similar to FLACC scale but for adults

Physiologic factors that affect blood pressure 

cardiac output, peripheral resistance, blood volume, and blood viscosity