CNA

TPR

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

BP

Blood Pressure; the force of blood pushing against the arteries.

Normal oral temperature range

98.6°F

Normal rectal temperature range

99.1°F

Normal axillary temperature range

97.6°F

Waiting time to take oral temperature after eating/drinking

15 minutes

Position for rectal temperature measurement

Side-lying position

Systolic action of the heart

Contraction of the heart.

Diastolic action of the heart

Relaxation of the heart.

Method to clean stethoscope earpiece and diaphragm

Use an alcohol pad.

Difference between bradycardia and tachycardia

Bradycardia is a low/slow heart rate; Tachycardia is a high/fast heart rate.

Duration for taking pulse with irregular heartbeat

1 minute or 60 seconds.

What are respirations?

Breathing, consisting of one inhalation and one exhalation.

Normal pulse range

60-100 beats per minute.

Normal respiration range

12-20 breaths per minute.

Normal blood pressure range

120/80 mmHg.

Difference between apnea and dyspnea

Apnea: absence of breathing; Dyspnea: difficulty breathing.

Pulse site at the inner elbow

Brachial artery.

Reasons to avoid taking BP on an arm

IV and shunt, mastectomy, cast.

What to do if pulse cannot be found at wrist

Check a different pulse site for one minute.

Location of radial pulse

On the thumb side of the wrist.

If you need to recheck systolic BP

Deflate the cuff, wait 1-2 minutes, and recheck.