1. Normal range for adult blood pressure

90/60–120/80 mmHg

.Average resting heart rate for a healthy teenager

60–100 beats per minute

Normal respiration rate for a healthy adult at rest

12–20 breaths per minute

Normal body temperature (°F)

97°F–99°F (average 98.6°F)

Normal range for oxygen saturation (SpO₂)

95–100%

BP of 90/60 mmHg indicates…

Hypotension (low blood pressure)

BP of 140/90 mmHg indicates…

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Oxygen saturation drops to 85% means…

Hypoxia—poor oxygen exchange or circulation

. Tool used to measure blood pressure

Sphygmomanometer

How a sphygmomanometer works

Inflates cuff to compress the brachial artery and measure pressure as blood flow returns

Instrument used to listen for Korotkoff sounds

Stethoscope

Systolic pressure definition

Pressure in arteries when the heart contracts

Diastolic pressure definition

Pressure in arteries when the heart relaxes

When is systolic pressure recorded?

At the first Korotkoff sound

Why support the patient’s arm at heart level?

To ensure accurate BP reading and prevent gravity effects

Four chambers of the heart

Right atrium (deoxy), right ventricle (deoxy), left atrium (oxy), left ventricle (oxy)

Function of the right ventricle

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Vessel carrying oxygenated blood from lungs to heart`

Pulmonary veins

Vessel carrying deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs

Pulmonary arteries

Function of heart valves

Prevent backflow of blood

P wave on ECG represents…

Atrial depolarization (atria contract)

QRS complex on ECG represents…

Ventricular depolarization (ventricles contract)

T wave on ECG represents…

Ventricular repolarization (ventricles relax)

Which side of heart has thicker muscle and why?

Left side—pumps blood to the whole body

Three types of blood cells

RBCs – carry oxygen; WBCs – fight infection; Platelets – clot blood

What is plasma?

Liquid part of blood with water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste

Four primary functions of blood

Transport, regulate, protect, and clot

How arteries differ from veins

Arteries: thick walls, high pressure, carry away; Veins: thin walls, valves, carry to heart

Function of capillaries

Allow gas/nutrient exchange; small for efficient diffusion

Why are valves important in veins?

Prevent backflow of blood

Blue Baby Syndrome

Bluish skin due to low oxygen in blood

Congenital defect causing Blue Baby Syndrome

Tetralogy of Fallot; congenital means present at birth

Vasovagal response

Sudden drop in HR/BP due to vagus nerve overstimulation → fainting

How ANS controls vasovagal response

Parasympathetic system slows heart and dilates vessels

Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

Sympathetic = “fight or flight”; Parasympathetic = “rest and digest”

Vasovagal flow chart

Stimulus (needle) → Vagus nerve activation → Drop in HR/BP → Reduced brain blood flow → Fainting

Negative feedback loop definition

System that reverses a change to maintain balance/homeostasis

Body temperature regulation as negative feedback

Sweating cools body when hot; shivering warms body when cold

Heat cramps vs. exhaustion vs. stroke

Cramps = mild, muscle spasms; Exhaustion = moderate, dizziness; Stroke = severe, >104°F, confusion

How blood helps cool the body

Vessels near skin dilate to release heat

What happens when breathing slows?

CO₂ levels increase in blood

How opioids affect breathing

Depress brain’s respiratory center, stopping normal CO₂ response

How Narcan reverses opioid overdose

Blocks opioid receptors, restoring normal breathing

Branches of healthcare services

Therapeutic – care/treatment; Diagnostic – identify disease; Informational – manage data; Environmental – maintain safety