Patient Care Skills

TPR

Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

c/o

Complains of

Objective observations

are measurable and observable facts, such as "temperature 101°F," "skin pale," or "wound 2 cm in diameter."

Subjective observations

are statements from the patient about how they feel, such as "patient reports pain in left leg" or "complains of nausea."

Pulse

60-100 beats per minute (BPM)

Blood Pressure

Generally around 120/80 mm Hg

Temperature

97.6-99.6°F (36.5-37.5°C)

Respiration Rate

12-20 breaths per minute

Fever

an elevated body temperature beyond normal range

Fever

If one has an elevated body temperature, they are febrile

Fever

If one does not have an elevated body temperature, they are afebrile

Intermittent

Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again

Remittent

Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline temperature

Continuous

A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate

axilla

underarm

Pulse

The normal adult pulse rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute

Apnea

This is a temporary complete absence of breathing which may be a result of a reduction in the stimuli to the respiratory centers of the brain

Tachypnea

This is a respiration rate of greater than 40/min; may be caused by anxiety, fever, pain, or lung disease

Bradypnea

This is a decrease in the number of respirations. This occurs during sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases

Abrasion

Skin scraped or rubbed away

Contusion

A closed wound (bruise) from a blow to the body

Incision

An open wound with clean, straight edges, often from surgery

Laceration

An open wound with torn tissues

Puncture Wounds

Wounds caused by sharp objects piercing the skin and underlying tissues

Primary intention

Edges are closed with sutures, staples, or glue

Secondary intention

Wound is left open and heals naturally, often for contaminated wounds

Tertiary intention

Wound is intentionally left open and closed later

Serous

Clear, watery fluid (like a blister)

Sanguineous

Bloody drainage

Serosanguineous

Thin, watery, blood-tinged fluid

Purulent

Thick, colored, or foul-smelling drainage

parasitology

the study of parasites

virology

the study of viruses and resulting diseases

mycology

the study of fungi

bacteriology

the study of bacteria

Red Stopper Color

No additive is required in this tube

Blue Stopper Color

The additive used is sodium citrate

Lavender Stopper Color

The additive used is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

Green Stopper Color

The additive used is heparin, a natural anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin

Gray Stopper Color

The additives used are sodium fluoride, a preservative that inhibits glycolytic action, and potassium oxalate, an anticoagulant that binds calcium

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ECG or EKG

is a tool used to record the electrical activity of the heart

P wave

the atria (top chambers) contracting

QRS complex

the ventricles (bottom chambers) contracting, which creates the pulse

T wave

the ventricles recovering or "resetting"

AED

automated external defibrillator

BLS

Basic Life Support

ROSC

return of spontaneous circulation