Vital Signs

Temperature

The balance between heat the body loses and poisoned

what are some ways to lose heat

Perspiration

Respiration

Excretion

Slow metabolism

what are some ways to gain heat

metabolism

Muscle/gland activity

Homeostasis

stable condition of body’s organs, tissues, and systems

What is one thing that abnormal temperature will affect

homeostasis

What are the different sites you can take someone’s temperature from

Tympanic

Yeah

Reveal

Axillary

Temporal

What is the average oral temp

98.6F

37C

What type of temperature is the most accurate and why

rectal because it is the most internal

What is the average rectal body temp

99.6F

37.5C

What is the least accurate area for temperature and why

Axillary groin because its the most external

Average temp for Axillary/groin

97.6F

36.4C

What are some factors that increase temperature

Illness

Infection

Exercise

Air temp

Excitement

What are some factors that decrease temperature

starvation

Sleep

Decreased muscle activity

Disease

Air temp

What are some other factors that can affect temp

mouth breathing

Metabolism

Time of day

Hypothermia

rectal temp below 95F

At what low of a temperature can death occur

Below 93F

Fever

rectal temp 101-103F

Hyperthermia

Rectal temp above 104F

When does temp get extremely dangerous when this high

Over 106F

What are the types of thermometers

glass

Electronic

Tympanic

Temporal

Temporal Artery thermometer/ Temporal thermometers

temp taken over the temporal artery

Quick

Accurate

Non-invasive

Glass thermometer

used for oral,rectal, and Axillary

Rarely used in faculties anymore but its important to know how to use them

Contains mercury so if it spilled it must be cleaned used a hazardous materials kit

How should you read a glass thermometer

hold by stem at eye level

Rod marked test long lines(whole degrees) And short line (even tenths)

Reading between tenths should be rounded up

How to use oral temperature

used for oral,rectal, or Axillary

Safe and easy to use

Sheath covers the thermometer and is replaced before each use

Displays temp in F or C

Tympanic temperature

used for aural(ear)

Fast and convenient

Disposable covers

Reading in less than two seconds

Blood Pressure

first of blood against artery walls when the heart beats

Systolic

indicates when left ventricle contracts to push blood into arteries

Diastolic

indicates when pressure on artery walls when left ventricle relaxes

How is blood pressure measured

millimeters of mercury

Normal blood pressure

120/80

Pulse pressure

systolic- diastolic

Normal pulse pressure

40 mmHg

Elevated blood pressure

120-129/80 or less

Stage 1 Hypertension

130-139/80-89

Stage 2 hypertension

140/90

Hypertensive crisis

180/120

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypertension risk factors and effects

risk factors include: diet, exercise, heredity, stress, drug abuse and smoking

Effects: can result in other disorders such as a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or other organ failure

What does hypertensive crisis need

immediate medical attention

Hypotension

100/60

What are the causes of hypotension

Rest

Sleep

Shock

Depressants

Blood loss

Fasting

Orthostatic hypotension

“Standing up to quickly”

Results from a quick change in position

What are the factors of blood pressure

Elasticity

Volume of the blood in the arteries

Different patient positions

Elasticity

the ability of the arteries to return to normal size after being stretched by each pulsation of blood

Sphygmomanometer

used to measure blood pressure

Older versions contained mercury

Aneroid versions use air but still measure in mmHg

What is the name of the tool used to measure blood pressure

Sphygmomanometer

Digital blood pressure monitors

easier and less time consuming

Doesnt require stethoscope

Sometimes a manual cuff with an analog gauge may still be preferable

What is your pulse

Pressure of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart contracts

What should you asses when taking pulse

rate

Rhythm

Volume

rate

number of beats per minute

Rhythm

Pattern of beats

Volume

Character or strength of beats

What are pulse sites

places where a superficial artery has a bone behind it

Often named after nearby bones or structures

Most common are radial and brachial

Palpation

examination by applying slight pressure to a pulse point with fingertips

Auscultation

Examination by listening

Usually with a stethoscope

Ex: apical pulse

What can increase pulse

Exercise

Stimulants

Excitement

Fever

Shock

What can cause a decreased pulse

Sleep

Depressants

Heart disease

Coma

What is a regular pulse rhythm

equal spacing of beats

What is an irregular pulse rhythm

unequal spacing of beats

Arrhythmia

abnormal rhythm

Pulse rate for infants

100-160

Pulse rate for child between 1-7

80-110

Pulse rate for a child over 7

70-90

Adult pulse rate

60-100

Pulse volume

described as strong, weak, thready, or bounding

Pulse volume of 0

absent

Pulse volume of 1

Thready

Pulse volume of 2

strong

Pulse volume of 3

Bounding

Radial pulse

wrist

What do apical and radial pulses have in common

they are normally the same

How can you find the difference between apical and radial pulse rates and what could that mean

subtract radial right from apical pulse

Heart is too weak to produce a pulse

Heart beating too fast to fill with blood

What is the apical pulse

patients heart beat

What is the apical pulse used for

Infants, small children and patients with certain illnesses

What is respirations

rate of breathing

Counted as one inhalation and one exhalation

How can you asses respiration

rate

Character

Rhythm

Adult respiration rate

14-18 or 12-20

Children respiration rate

16-27

Infants normal respiration rate

30-50

How can you describe respirations character

Normal

shallow

Deep

Labored

Difficult

Moist

Stertorous

Normal respirations

effortless

quiet

Regular

Stertorous

similar to snoring

Regular respirations

Equal spacing of breaths

Irregular respirations

Unequal spacing of breaths