vitals and measurements (part two)

body measurements for adults and older children

• height

• weight

body measurements for infants

• length

• weight

• head circumference

• chest circumference

what is the purpose of taking body measurements?

provides baseline values for current condition and enables monitoring of growth and development of children

adult weight

• each office visit

• record to nearest quarter of a pound

height of adults

• initial visit and yearly

• record to nearest quarter of an inch

how do you take an adult’s height and weight?

• obtain weight in a private area

• make sure scale is balanced

• assist patient on and off scale

• document in chart if patient refuses

• remove shoes for height

• convert feet to inches

infant and child weight

• medication dosage is based on weight in kilograms

• convert pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg)

  • lbs / 2.2 = kg

  • kg x 2.2 = lbs

height, head, and chest circumference

• lay child on a paper-covered table

• place mark at top of head and at heel of the flexed foot

• measure head circumference at widest area (across eyebrows)

• measure chest circumference (under arms)

• return infant to caretaker

• measure marks on the table in inches for height

body mass index (BMI)

• not an indicator of health

• used to correlate risk factors

• based on height and weight

• 18.5 - 24.9 → normal

• over 24.9 → overweight

• over 30 → obese

• over 40 → morbidly obese

  • high risk for diabetes and heart problems

diameter of limb

measure both to determine difference in size

what do you need to measure from a wound, bruise, or other injury?

length and width

pulse oximetry

• not normally considered a vital sign

• reading of oxygen saturation in blood

• also displays pulse reading (heart rate)

• probe is attached to finger or earlobe to obtain reading

• nail polish blocks light and interferes with the test

• normal reading is 95% or higher

pain scale

• subjective → difficult to interpret

• rated on scale 1-10 (10 being the worst)

• ask general questions to determine location, onset, and characteristics

• document any medication used to relieve symptoms

adult height should be measured to the nearest

• inch

• quarter of an inch

• eighth of an inch

• sixteenth of an inch

quarter of an inch

adult weight should be measured

• each office visit

• initial visit

• yearly

• initial visit and yearly

each office visit

what is 10 lbs in kg?

• 4 kg

• 4.5 kg

• 20 kg

• 22 kg

4.5 kg

what is the first step in measuring an infant head and chest circumference?

• place child in a paper-covered scale

• lay child on scale

• ask caretaker to hold the infant

place child in a paper-covered scale

what measurements are required to obtain a BMI measurement?

• blood pressure and temperature

• temperature and pulse

• weight only

• height and weight

height and weight

what does pulse oximetry measure?

• pulse

• oxygen levels in the blood

• heat

• pulse and oxygen levels in the blood

pulse and oxygen levels in the blood

which number on the pain scale is pain being at its least?

• 1

• 5

• 10

• 20

1

which of the following areas on the body provides the least accurate temperature reading?

• axillary

• rectal

• temporal

• tympanic

axillary

quint Gardner, a 35-year-old established patient, is in the office for his annual checkup. he says he feels great, and he appears to be in good physical condition. according to office policy, you check his blood pressure using the aneroid sphygmomanometer and his temperature using an axillary thermometer. his vital signs are: BP: 118/88, R: 16, T: 102.4, P: 62. given these vitals what would the medical assistant’s next step be?

• recheck the blood pressure using an electronic sphygmomanometer

• ask him to sit quietly for 15 minutes and then recheck his pulse

• recheck his temperature using a different type of thermometer

• ask him if he has had anything cold to drink in the last half hour

recheck his temperature using a different type of thermometer

which of the following is important when taking a rectal temperature?

• rinse the thermometer under water before inserting it

• insert the thermometer 2 inches into the rectum

• hold the thermometer in place while taking the temperature

• use a disposable thermometer

hold the thermometer in place while taking the temperature

how long should the MA count a pulse if it irregular?

• 20 seconds

• 30 seconds

• 60 seconds

• 120 seconds

60 seconds

in addition to the pulse rate, what else should you note about the patient’s pulse?

• rhythm and volume

• volume and effort

• volume and tone

• effort and rhythm

rhythm and volume