Chapter 7 Basic Nursing Skills

  • Vital signs- measurements including temperature, pulse, respirations, and BP. 


Temperature sites:

Fahrenheit: 

Celsius:

  • Mouth (oral)

97.6-99.6

36.5-37.5

  • Rectum (rectal)

98.6-100.6

37-38.1

  • Armpit (axillary) 

96.6-100.6

35.9-37

  • Ear (tympanitic) 

96.6-99.7

35.9-37.6

  • Temporal artery (forehead)

97.2-100.1

36.2-37.8


  • Types of thermometers:

    • Digital- used for oral, rectal, and axillary.

    • Temporal artery- measure heat with a gentle stroke across the forehead.

  • Rectal- MOST accurate 

  • Axillary- LEAST accurate 

  • Mercury free thermometers are color-coded:

    • green/blue= oral 

    • red= rectal 


Blood Pressure:


Normal 

Systolic 

Diastolic 

90-119

60-79

Low (hypertensive)

Systolic 

Diastolic 

>90

>60

Elevated

Systolic 

Diastolic

120-139

>80

Stage 1 Hypertension

Systolic

Diastolic

130-139

80-89

Stage 2 hypertension 

Systolic 

Diastolic 

=/<140

=/<90

Hypertension crisis

Systolic 

Diastolic 

<180

<120


  • Systolic- first measurement of blood pressure, phase when the heart is active, contracting and pushing blood out the left ventricle. (top number, normal range is below 120 mm Hg)

  • Diastolic- second measurement of blood pressure, phase when the heart is resting. (bottom number, normal range is below 80 mm Hg)



  • Radial pulse- pulse located inside the wrist.

  • Brachial pulse- pulse located inside the elbow. 


Respiration:

  • Adults- 12 to 20 breaths per minute

  • Infants- 30 to 40 breaths per minute 


Pulse:

  • Adults- 60 to 100 BPM

  • Children- 100-120 BPM

  • Infants- 120 to 140 BPM


  • Systolic- first measurement of blood pressure, when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out the left ventricle. (top number, normal range is below 120 mm Hg)

  • Diastolic- second measurement of blood pressure, phase when the heart is relaxing. (bottom number normal range is below 80 mm Hg)

  • Pulse oximetry is used to measure pulse rate and blood oxygen level. 

  • One lbs= 16 ounces 

  • One kg= 1000 g

  • One kg= 2.2 lbs 

  • Intake (input)- the fluid a person consumes.

  • Output- the fluid that is eliminated from the body. Urine, feces, vomit, sweat, and wound drainage. 

  • Fluid balance- taking in and eliminating the same amount of fluid. 


Conversions:


1 oz =

30 mL =

30 cubic centimeters (cc)

2 oz =

60 mL =

60 cc

3 oz =

90 mL =

90 cc

4 oz =

120 mL =

120 cc 

5 oz =

150 mL =

150 cc 

6 oz =

180 mL =

180 cc

7 oz =

210 mL =

210 cc

8 oz =

240 mL =

240 cc


¼ cup =

2 oz =

60 mL 

½ cup =

4 oz =

120 mL

1 cup =

8 oz =

240 mL


  • Specimen- a sample that is used for analysis in order to try and make a diagnosis. 

  • Routine urine specimen- a urine specimen that can be collected anytime a person urinates/ voides. 

  • Hat- in health-care, a collection container that can be inserted into a toilet bowl to collect and measure urine and stool.

  • Clean-catch specimen (mid-stream specimen)- a urine specimen that does not include the first and last urine voided. 

  • Straight catheter- urinary catheter removed after urine is collected or voided. 

  • Indwelling catheter (foley catheter)- urinary catheter that remains in the bladder for a period of time. 

  • Condom catheter- urinary catheter that has an attachment on the end that fits over the penis. 

  •  Closed bed- a bed completely made with bedspread and blanket in place

  • Open bed- a bed made with linens folded down to the foot of the bed.