Vital signs flash

The five common vital signs are __________, __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Temperature, Pulse Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), Blood Pressure (BP), Pain Scale

The average normal body temperature is __________.

98.6°F (37°C)

The part of the brain that regulates body temperature is the __________.

Hypothalamus

__________ is elevated body temperature, often due to infection or heat exposure.

Hyperthermia

__________ is body temperature below normal, which slows metabolism.

Hypothermia

A 1°C increase in body temperature causes __________ and __________ to increase by 10%.

O₂ consumption and CO₂ production

The five common temperature measurement sites are __________, __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Oral, Axillary, Rectal, Temporal, Tympanic

Oral temperature readings should be delayed for __________ minutes if the patient has been smoking or drinking liquids.

10-15

The axillary temperature method is best for __________ or __________.

Infants or small children

The temperature site that is closest to actual core temperature is __________.

Rectal

A temporal thermometer measures temperature from the __________.

temporal artery

A tympanic thermometer measures temperature at the __________.

eardrum

When checking pulse, three factors assessed are __________, __________, and __________.

Rate, rhythm, and strength

The normal adult heart rate is __________ bpm.

60-100

__________ is defined as HR >100 bpm, caused by stress, fever, low BP, or hypoxia.

Tachycardia

__________ is defined as HR

Bradycardia

To check pulse, use the __________ and __________ finger pads, not the thumb.

2nd and 3rd

HR should be counted for __________ minutes, especially if irregular.

One full

Three common pulse sites are __________, __________, and __________.

Radial, Carotid, Brachial

__________ indicates left heart failure.

Pulsus Alternans

__________ is a significant decrease in pulse strength during spontaneous inspiration.

Pulsus Paradoxus

The normal respiratory rate for adults is __________ breaths per minute.

12-20

__________ is defined as RR >20, often due to exertion, fever, or anxiety.

Tachypnea

__________ is defined as RR

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate should be measured by observing __________ or __________ movement, ideally without the patient noticing.

chest or abdominal

Systemic blood pressure measures the __________ of blood against arterial walls.

force

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, averaging 30-40 mmHg, is known as __________.

pulse pressure

Normal blood pressure for adults is systolic

80

Hypertension is defined as BP __________, often caused by high vascular resistance.

>130/80

Hypotension is defined as BP __________, leading to poor organ perfusion.

Postural hypotension is caused by a sudden BP drop when __________.

standing

The tools used to measure BP are a __________ and __________.

Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope

BP is measured manually by inflating the cuff above __________ pressure.

systolic

The first Korotkoff sound marks __________ pressure.

systolic

Autonomous BP measurement devices include __________ and __________.

Digital BP cuffs and Doppler machines

Pain is considered the __________ vital sign as it quantifies pain based on the patient’s perception.

5th

Two common pain assessment tools are the __________ and the __________.

Numeric pain scale (0-10) and Wong-Baker Faces scale.

Severe pain can increase both __________ and __________ due to stress responses.

BP and HR

Vital signs are important as they provide key indicators of a patient’s overall __________ and __________.

health and stability.

Tachycardia can be caused by __________, __________, __________, __________, __________, or __________.

Exercise, fever, fear, anemia, low blood pressure, reduced arterial blood oxygen levels.

Bradycardia can be caused by __________, __________, __________, or is common in __________.

Hypothermia, arrhythmias, medication, athletes.

Tachypnea can be caused by __________, __________, __________, __________, or __________.

Exertion, exercise, fever, hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis.

Bradypnea can be caused by __________, __________, __________, or __________.

Head injuries, hypothermia, drug overdose, narcotics.

Thrills and/or bruits are __________ or __________ vibrations in pulse.

palpable or auscultated.

Pulsus alternans is characterized by alternating strong and weak __________, suggesting heart failure.

pulses.

Pulsus paradoxus indicates significant decrease in pulse strength during __________.

spontaneous inspiration.

Systolic pressure is the peak force exerted during __________ of the left ventricle.

contraction

Diastolic pressure is the force remaining during __________ of the left ventricle.

relaxation

Pulse pressure is the difference between __________ and __________ pressure.

systolic and diastolic

Normal blood pressure levels in adults is systolic

120, 80

Hypertension is considered elevated if BP is greater than __________.

130/80

Hypotension can lead to __________, __________, __________, and inadequate blood flow to organs.

LV failure, low blood volume, low SVR.

Hypertension can lead to __________, __________, __________, and __________.

headaches, blurred vision, strokes, renal failure.

Increasing heart rate is the body's primary mechanism for increasing __________.

cardiac output.