Primary Vital Signs

What are the four primary vital signs?

1: Body Temperature

2: Heart Rate or Pulse

3: Respiratory Rate

4: Blood Pressure

What is the fifth vital sign?

Pain

Normal Blood Pressure Systolic/Diastolic in mmHG is

<120/<80 or 120/80

Prehypertension

120-139 mmHG SBP or 80-89 mmHG DBP

Stage 1 Hypertension

140-159 mmHG SBP or 90-99 mmHG DBP

Stage 2 Hypertension

160 mmHG or higher SBP or 100 mmHG or higher DBP

Normal Pulse per minute in adults is

60 to 100 beats

Normal Body Temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius is

98.6 F or 37 C

Normal Respiratory Rate per minute in adults is

12 to 20

Normal Oxygen Saturation is

95-100%

Borderline Oxygen Saturation is

91-94%

Low (hypoxemia) Oxygen Saturation is

under 91%

What is the best site to measure core body temperature in a critically ill patient?

Oral

What is the correct technique for measuring blood pressure manually?

Inflate the cuff to 20-30 mmHg above the point where radially pulse disappears.

What is the least likely to cause bradycardia?

Fever

Which condition is most likely associated with a “bounding” pulse?

Hyperthyroidism

In which of the following conditions would you expect pulsus paradoxus?

Cardiac Tamponade

What is bradycardia?

A condition where the heart beats slower than normal, generally under 60 beats per minute

Systole

Contraction Phase

• where the heart muscles pump blood out of the chambers into the arteries. 

Diastole

Relaxation Phase

where the heart muscles fill with blood

What is tachycardia?

High heart rate

Which of the following structures is responsible for the initial cardiac action potential in a potential adult?

SA Node/Sinoatrial Node

Which heart valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular systole?

Mitral Valve

The plateau phase (phase 2) of the cardiac action potential in ventricular myocytes is primarily maintained by:

Influx of calcium

The second heart sound (S2) corresponds to the

closure of the semilunar valves

Which structure electrically insulates the atria from the ventricles, allowing for independent contraction?

fibrous skeleton of the heart

Which of the following statements about cardiac output is true?

It increases with increased sympathetic simulation

The Frank Starling law of the heart states that

the strength of ventricular contraction is proportional to the end-diastolic volume

Which ion is primarily responsible for the depolarization phase (Phase 0) of the action potential in pacemaker cells (SA node)?

Calcium Ions (Ca²⁺) or Sodium?

The coronary arteries filled predominantly during:

Ventricular diastole

Which part of the ECG represents ventricular DEpolarization?

QRS Complex

Which part of the ECG represents ventricular REpolarization?

T-wave

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate exceeding:

120 bpm

Which vital sign change is most concerning during surgery?

Oxygen saturation 88%

A pulse oximeter measures:

Oxygen saturation of the hemogloblin

Which of the following temperatures indicates moderate hypothermia?

92.0 degrees F

Which site gives the most accurate core temperature during surgery?

Rectal

Bradycardia may be observed intraoperatively due to

Vagal nerve simulation

During surgery, if a patient’s SpO2 drops below 90%, the Surgical Technologist should:

notify the anesthesia provider immediately

What is the minimum acceptable oxygen saturation level in a patient under general anesthesia?

90%

Which pulse site is most commonly used during surgery for quick monitoring?

Radial

A patient under general anesthesia becomes cold. What complications is this surgical technologsts trying to prevent?

Hypothermia- induced coagulopathy

An oxygen saturation of 82% suggests:

severe hypoxia

Which of the following would be an appropriate intervention if the patient’s temperature drops to 95 degrees F?

Notify the circulator and anesthesia provider

Which of the following blood pressure readings is considered hypertensive?

140/90 mmHg

A patient’s pulse is irregular and difficult to palpate at the radial artery. What is the next best action?

Reassess using the carotid pulse

Which site is most commonly used for obtaining core body temperature in a surgical patient?

Esophageal

What term describes a heart rate over 100 beats per minute in an adult patient?

Tachycardia

Which vital signs change is most indicative on early hypovolemic shock during surgery?

Rapid, thready pulse

A patient has a temperature of 101.6 degrees F (39.7 C) What is the medical term for this condition?

Febrile

Which of the following can cause an inaccurate pulse oximeter reading during surgery?

Blue nail polish