[PCOL2-LAB-PRE-01-PT1] DETERMINATION OF VITAL SIGNS

TIHS FLASH CARDS IS ABOUT [PCOL II] DETERMINATION OF VITAL SIGNS

Vital Signs

These are key physiological measurements that indicate the body’s essential functions.

Vital Signs

They are used to assess a person's general physical health, detect medical problems, and monitor response to treatment.

• General Physical Health

• Detect Medical Problems

• Monitor Response to Treatment

Vital Signs are used to assess a person’s (3)?

• Body Temperature

• Pulse (Heart Rate)

• Respiratory Rate

• Blood Pressure

What are the four (4) Primary Vital Signs?

Hint: BPRB

1. Circulatory

2. Respiratory

3. Thermoregulatory Systems

Body Temperature, Pulse (Heart Rate), Respiratory Rate, and Blood Pressure are indicators that provides the critical information about the (1)_____, (2)____, (3)____ Systems, and are fundamental in clinical assessments.

It also provide essential early data that can influence the direction and urgency of patient care.

Hint: CRT

Blood Pressure

This is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it throughout the body.

Walls of the Arteries

Blood Pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the _________ as the heart pumps it throughout the body.

• Systolic Pressure

• Diastolic Pressure

Blood Pressure is expressed as two values:

Systolic Pressure

The pressure when the heart contracts.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg)

Blood Pressure is measured in what unit?

Cardiovascular Health

Blood Pressure is a key indicator of?

Normal

Identify the Blood Pressure Category:

Systolic mmHg (upper number): Less than 120 and;

Diastolic mmHg (lower number): Less than 80

Elevated

Identify the Blood Pressure Category:

Systolic mmHg (upper number): 120-129 and;

Diastolic mmHg (lower number): Less than 80

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1

Identify the Blood Pressure Category:

Systolic mmHg (upper number): 130-139 or;

Diastolic mmHg (lower number): 80-89

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2

Identify the Blood Pressure Category:

Systolic mmHg (upper number): 140 or higher or;

Diastolic mmHg (lower number): 90 or higher

Hypertensive Crisis (consult your doctor immediately)

Identify the Blood Pressure Category:

Systolic mmHg (upper number): Higher than 180 and/or;

Diastolic mmHg (lower number): Higher than 120

• Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure (Aneroid/Mercury Cuff)

• Automated Oscillometric Office Blood Pressure

• Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

What are the four (4) Methods for Measuring Blood Pressure?

Hint: AAHA

Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure (Aneroid/Mercury Cuff)

Identify the Method Measuring Blood Pressure:

This method is widely available and affordable.

Accuracy can be affected by:

• Patient anxiety (white coat hypertension)

• Observer technique

• Cuff calibration (every 6 months)

Aneroid/Mercury Cuff

Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure is also known as?

White Coat Hypertension

Patient anxiety is also known as?

6 months

Cuff calibration is every how many months?

Multiple readings

Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure (Aneroid/Mercury Cuff) requires __________ across several visits for reliable assessment.

Masked Hypertension

Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure (Aneroid/Mercury Cuff) may miss?

1. ~75%

2. Ambulatory monitoring

Auscultatory Office Blood Pressure (Aneroid/Mercury Cuff)’s sensitivity and specificity (1) ____% compared to (2)_______ monitoring.

Automated Oscillometric Office Blood Pressure

Identify the Method Measuring Blood Pressure:

This method requires proper patient positioning and correct cuff size/placement.

Needs accurate equipment calibration.

Collects multiple readings in a short period.

Similar sensitivity and specificity to manual methods when done properly.

Confirmation with home or ambulatory BP may still be needed.

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Identify the Method Measuring Blood Pressure:

This method is a precise, automated, and user-friendly device that is more cost-effective than ambulatory monitoring.

More accurate in predicting cardiovascular risk compared to office-based measurements.

Requires patient education on the proper method of use.

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

This method serves as a reasonable substitute when ambulatory monitoring is not feasible.

1. Morning and;

2. Evening

3. One week

4. Night

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring involves multiple measurements:

• Two (2) readings in the (1)____ and (2)_____.

• Taken over the course of (3)_______.

• No readings during the (4)_____.

1. White Coat Hypertension

2. ~20%

3. Masked Hypertension

4. ~10

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring can detect:

• (1)__________ (seen in (2)____ of patients).

• (3)__________ (seen in (4)____ of patients, where BP is elevated outside the clinic.

1. Sensitivity of ~85%

2. Specificity of 62%

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring demonstrates a (1) sensitivity of ___ and a (2) specificity of ___ compared to ambulatory monitoring.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Identify the Method Measuring Blood Pressure:

This method is considered the “Gold Standard” for blood pressure assessment in both clinical and research settings.

• Provides continuous 24-hour monitoring capturing:

Daytime and nighttime (nocturnal) blood pressure.

Systolic and diastolic readings.

• Drawbacks:

Higher cost.

May not be covered by insurance in some cases.

24-hour period

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring calculates average BP values over the?

1. Normal dip

2. Cardiovascular disease

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring detects nocturnal dipping patterns:

• A (1)_____ dip in blood pressure at night is expected.

• Lack of dipping or elevated nighttime BP is a risk factor for (2)_______ disease.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

This method offers greater accuracy and reliability than office or home measurements.