Vital Signs & General Survey

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Vital Signs and General Survey lecture notes.

Vital signs

Basic measurements of body functions used to assess health status, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Apical pulse

auscultated with stethoscope at midclavicular 5th intercostal space

Adult pulse

60-100

BMI (Body Mass Index)

A calculation of body mass from height and weight; BMI = mass (kg) / height (m)²

Underweight

BMI less than 18.5.

Normal weight

BMI 18.5 to 24.9.

Overweight

BMI 25 to 29.9.

Obese

BMI 30 to 39.9.

Morbidly obese

BMI 40 or greater.

Adult and older children measurements

height, weight, BMI

Infant measurements

length, weight, head circumference

Heart rate

numerical value, 60-100 is normal

Temperature

A vital sign indicating body heat; measured by several methods (oral, rectal, axillary, tympanic, forehead).

Severe hyperthermia

40C, 104F

Fever

38C, 100.4F

Normal body temperature

36.1-37.2C, 97-99F

Hypothermia

35C, 95F

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate, typically less than 60 bpm in adults.

Tachycardia

Fast heart rate, typically greater than 100 bpm in adults.

Bounding pulse

Strong, forceful pulse often seen in hyperkinetic states, anemia, or hyperthyroidism.

Pulsus alternans

Alternating pulse strength, often indicating heart failure or cardiac tamponade.

Thready pulse

Weak, easily obliterated pulse indicating low cardiac output or blood loss.

Adult respirations

12-20

Bradypnea

Slow breathing rate.

Tachypnea

Fast breathing rate.

Apnea

Temporary absence of breathing.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Dyspnea

Difficult or painful breathing.

Hyperpnea

Deep, rapid breathing; hyperventilation.

Systolic pressure

Pressure in arteries during contraction of the left ventricle (top number).

Diastolic pressure

Pressure in arteries when the heart is at rest (bottom number).

Stage 2 BP readings

systolic >140

diastolic >90

Stage 1 BP readings

systolic 130-139

diastolic 80-89

Elevated BP readings

systolic 120-129

diastolic <80

Normal BP readings

systolic <120

diastolic <80

Low BP readings

systolic <90

diastolic <60

Inaccurate BP causes

cuff over clothing, full bladder, conversation, unsupported arm, unsupported back, unsupported feet, crossed legs

Korotkoff sounds

originate from turbulence created by partial occlusion of artery with inflated cuff; first sound = systolic pressure, disappearance = diastolic pressure.

Cuff sizing

Cuff should encircle 80% or more of the arm; index line should fall within the range after wrapping; bladder length/width ratios matter.

Brachial artery

Main artery used for BP measurement; located near the antecubital fossa.

Stethoscope

Instrument for auscultation; includes bell and diaphragm for listening to body sounds.

Bell vs. Diaphragm (stethoscope)

bell: light pressure for low frequency sounds (heart sounds)

diaphragm: higher pressure for high frequency sounds (bowel and lung sounds)

Bell hears low-frequency sounds with light pressure; diaphragm hears high-frequency sounds with firmer pressure.

Orthostatic hypotension

Drop in blood pressure on standing, causing dizziness or fainting; defined by a ≥20 mmHg systolic or ≥10 mmHg diastolic drop with symptoms.

General survey

Overall assessment of a patient’s health, including appearance, consciousness, distress, hygiene, and posture.

A&O x3

Patient is alert and oriented to person, place, and time.

A&O x4

Patient is alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation.

Signs of distress

Cues of physical or emotional discomfort (e.g., chest pain, labored breathing).

Dress, Grooming, Hygiene

Assessment of clothing, cleanliness, grooming, and personal care.

Facial expression

Assessment of eye contact, affect, and appropriateness of expression.

Skin exam (screening)

Inspect for wounds, discoloration, scars, lesions, erythema; check temperature with dorsum of hands; assess turgor

Skin turgor

Elasticity of the skin; tested by pinching the dorsum of the hand to assess hydration.

SpO2

Oxygen saturation of blood, expressed as a percentage; measured by pulse oximetry.

Head-to-toe skin exam

Systematic evaluation of skin from head to toe for abnormalities.

SpO2 room air

Oxygen saturation measured on room air (not on supplemental oxygen).

Orthostatic BP steps

5-minute supine measurement, stand, then measure at 1 and 3 minutes to assess posture-related BP changes.