HST VS review
1. Position for Vital Signs: A patient should ideally be seated or lying down in a relaxed position to minimize changes in vitals due to movement or stress.
2. Waiting Before Taking Pulse: It’s best to let the patient sit quietly for 5 minutes before taking the pulse to ensure accuracy.
3. Waiting Before Taking Temperature: Ideally, wait a few minutes after any physical activity or after eating/drinking before measuring temperature, especially if taken orally, as it can affect results.
4. Four Vital Signs: Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, and Blood Pressure. Pain level is often considered the 5th vital sign.
5. Normal Adult Pulse Rate: 60-100 beats per minute.
6. Bradycardia: A slower-than-normal heart rate, typically under 60 beats per minute.
7. Tachycardia: A faster-than-normal heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute.
8. Irregularly Spaced Beats: Described as irregular.
9. Common Pulse Site: The radial artery (wrist).
10. Pulse Site for BP: The brachial artery (inside of the arm).
11. Pulse Sites and Assessment:
- Radial: Wrist, general pulse rate
- Brachial: Arm, often for BP
- Carotid: Neck, emergency pulse checks
- Femoral: Groin, circulation assessment in legs
- Popliteal: Behind knee, circulation in lower leg
- Dorsalis Pedis: Top of foot, circulation in feet
- Posterior Tibial: Inner ankle, circulation in feet
- Temporal: Side of forehead, circulation in head
12. Bilateral Pulse Sites: Radial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial (should be felt equally on both sides).
13. Bilateral Presence: Presence on both sides of the body, indicating symmetrical circulation.
14. Indication for Healthcare Professional: Assesses circulation adequacy, especially for signs of blockages.
15. Counting Pulse Duration: Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, or a full 60 seconds if irregular.
16. Normal Oral Temperature: 97.6°F to 99.6°F.
17. Convert 98.6°F to Celsius: 37°C.
18. Order to Document Vital Signs: Temperature, Pulse, Respirations, Blood Pressure.
19. Highest Body Temperature: Generally highest in the late afternoon/evening.
20. Normal Axillary Temperature: 96.6°F to 98.6°F.
21. Axillary Temperature: Temperature taken in the armpit.
22. Temperature in Ear: Tympanic temperature.
23. Normal Rectal Temperature Range: 98.6°F to 100.6°F.
24. Counting Respirations: Count directly after taking the pulse without notifying the patient to avoid changes in their breathing rate.
25. Informing Patient on Counting Respiration: Do not inform them, so their breathing remains natural.
26. Normal Respiration Range: 12-20 breaths per minute for adults.
27. Apnea: Temporary cessation of breathing.
28. Cheyne-Stokes: Breathing pattern with progressively deeper breaths followed by gradual decreases, then a pause.
29. Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.
30. Rales: Crackling or rattling sounds in lungs.
31. Wheezing: High-pitched whistling sound due to narrowed airways.
32. Reading Blood Pressure:
- Top number: Systolic (pressure when heart beats)
- Bottom number: Diastolic (pressure when heart rests between beats).
33. Last Pressure Heard: Diastolic pressure.
34. Instrument for BP: Sphygmomanometer.
35. "Sphygmomanometer" Breakdown:
- Sphygm/o-: pulse
- Mano-: pressure
- -meter: measure.
36. Factors Increasing BP: Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, genetics.
37. Hypertension: Chronically high blood pressure, often symptom-free, hence "Silent Killer."
38. Hypertensive Values: Systolic ≥ 130 mmHg, Diastolic ≥ 80 mmHg.
39. Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
40. Hypotensive Values: Systolic ≤ 90 mmHg, Diastolic ≤ 60 mmHg.
41. BP Dial Reading: Typically increments by 2 mmHg per line. (Drawing not possible here).
42. Recording BP: Systolic over Diastolic (e.g., 120/80).
43. State of Balance: Homeostasis.
44. Pulse Units: Beats per minute (bpm).
45. BP Units: Millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
46. Respiration Units: Breaths per minute (rpm).
47. Hypothermia Temperature: Body temperature below 95°F.
1. Factors Affecting Body Temperature:
- Time of day (temperature is typically lower in the morning and higher in the evening)
- Physical activity or exercise (which can raise body temperature)
2. Difference Between Hyperthermia and Hypothermia:
- Hyperthermia: An abnormally high body temperature, often due to external heat or excessive exercise.
- Hypothermia: An abnormally low body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold.
3. Factors Influencing Pulse Rate:
- Physical activity or exercise
- Emotions (such as stress or excitement)
- Medications
- Health conditions (such as fever or cardiovascular issues)
4. How to Assess a Pulse:
- Position the patient in a relaxed position, and locate the pulse site (commonly the radial artery at the wrist).
- Using your index and middle fingers (not the thumb), gently press down on the artery.
- Count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 for beats per minute, or count for a full 60 seconds if the pulse is irregular.
- Record the rate, rhythm, and strength of the pulse.