Health Science Theory - Comprehensive Unit Notes

UNIT 1 — VITAL SIGNS

• Definition of Pulse: The pulse is formally defined as the pressure of the blood pushing against the walls of an artery whenever the heart beats. It is the rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries.

• Anatomical Location of Pulse:

  • The pulse is exclusively felt in arteries.

  • Contrarily, the pulse cannot be felt in veins.

• Optimal Measurement Site: The most logical and common spot to check for a pulse in the human body is the radial pulse, located at the wrist.

• Pulse Characteristic - Rate: The term used to describe the specific number of heartbeats occurring within a single minute is the "Rate."

• Normal Physiological Range: The standard "normal" pulse range for a healthy adult is between $60$ and $100\,\text{bpm}$ (beats per minute).

• Factors Influencing Pulse Variation: While many factors can affect the heart rate, the normal pulse varies most significantly according to a patient's Age.

• Procedure for Assessment:

  • For a pulse that demonstrates a regular rhythm, practitioners often count for shorter intervals and multiply.

  • Irregular Pulse Protocol: If a pulse is irregular, it is incorrect to count for $30\,\text{seconds}$ and multiply by $2$. The required clinical method is to count the pulse for a full $60\,\text{seconds}$ to ensure accuracy.

UNIT 2 — PULSE SITES

• Radial Pulse: This is the most common site used for pulse assessment in adults and is located at the wrist.

• Apical Pulse: This pulse is assessed using a stethoscope. It is located midline at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line (the imaginary line extending down from the middle of the collarbone).

• Carotid Pulse:

  • Used primarily during emergencies and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

  • Correction of Misconception: The carotid pulse is located in the neck. It is false to claim that the carotid pulse is located inside the thigh or groin (that would be the femoral pulse).

• Brachial Pulse:

  • This site is primarily used for measuring blood pressure.

  • Clarification: Despite its frequency of use in blood pressure checks, it is false to state that the brachial pulse is the most commonly measured pulse site in adults; the radial pulse holds that distinction.

UNIT 3 — TEMPERATURE

• Measurement Accuracy: When determining the most accurate location to take a patient's body temperature, the rectal site is considered the gold standard for clinical accuracy.

UNIT 4 — RESPIRATIONS

• Definition of Respiration: A single respiration is defined as the combination of one inspiration (breathing in) and one exhalation (breathing out).

• Normal Adult Respiratory Rate:

  • The standard normal range for an adult is $12-20\,\text{breaths/min}$.

  • It is false to state that the normal rate is between $20-30\,\text{breaths/min}$, as this would be considered tachypnea in a resting adult.

• Counting Methodology: It is false that a healthcare provider should advise the patient when they are counting respirations. This is because patients often subconsciously change their breathing patterns if they are aware they are being observed.

UNIT 5 — BLOOD PRESSURE

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): A blood pressure reading of $160/100\,\text{mmHg}$ is clinically considered hypertension.

• Non-Hypertensive Readings:

  • A reading of $130/86\,\text{mmHg}$ is not classified as hypertension; it falls under the category of prehypertension.

  • A reading of $110/70\,\text{mmHg}$ is considered a normal, healthy blood pressure reading and is not hypertension.

• Units of Measurement: Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, abbreviated as $\text{mmHg}$. It is false to claim that these readings are measured in milligrams.

• Effects of Physical Activity: It is false to suggest that blood pressure is lowered during exercise. During physical exertion, blood pressure increases to meet the body's demand for oxygenated blood.

UNIT 6 — MEDICAL MATH & CONVERSIONS

• Mass Conversions:

  • $2.2\,\text{lb} = 1\,\text{kg}$

• Volume Conversions:

  • $1\,\text{tsp} = 5\,\text{mL}$. It is false to state that $1\,\text{teaspoon}$ is equivalent to $10\,\text{mL}$.

  • $1\,\text{tbsp} = 15\,\text{mL}$

  • $1\,\text{fl oz} = 30\,\text{mL}$

  • $3\,\text{tbsp} = 45\,\text{mL}$

• Medication Dosage Calculation:

  • The standard formula for calculating the number of tablets required is: $\frac{\text{Ordered Dose}}{\text{Available Dose}} = \text{Tablets Needed}$

  • Case 1: Librium is ordered at $100\,\text{mg}$. The available tablets are $50\,\text{mg}$. Calculation: $\frac{100\,\text{mg}}{50\,\text{mg}} = 2\,\text{tablets}$.

  • Case 2: Lopressor is ordered at $100\,\text{mg}$. The available tablets are $50\,\text{mg}$. Calculation: $\frac{100\,\text{mg}}{50\,\text{mg}} = 2\,\text{tablets}$.

UNIT 7 — ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

• Layers of the Heart Wall: The three distinct layers of the heart are the epicardium (outer layer), myocardium (middle muscular layer), and endocardium (innermost lining).

• Appendix Location: The appendix is located in the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) of the abdomen.

• Skeletal Composition: There are exactly $206$ bones in the adult human body.

UNIT 8 — PROFESSIONALISM

• Definition of Patience: In a healthcare setting, the ability to be tolerant and understanding is defined as patience.

• Documentation Standards: It is false to assume that normal vital signs do not need to be documented. Healthcare professionals must always document all findings, including normal ones, to maintain a complete medical record.

UNIT 9 — HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS & HISTORY

• Telemedicine: This modern healthcare delivery method involves the use of video, audio, and computer systems to provide medical services and consultations remotely.

• Ancient Egyptian Medicine:

  • They were the earliest known people to maintain accurate and systematic health records.

  • Average life span during this era was $20-30\,\text{years}$.

  • Medical treatments often combined the use of magic with medicinal plants.

• Evolution of Hospitals: Early hospitals were not independent buildings but were developed as specific rooms within people's private homes.

• Long-Term Care Facilities: These facilities are primarily designed to provide aid and residential care to the elderly population.

• Ancient Chinese Medicine:

  • Practitioners carefully monitored the pulse of a patient to determine the overall condition of the body.

  • They utilized acupuncture—the insertion of needles into specific body points—to relieve pain and congestion.

• Key Historical Milestones:

  • The Microscope: Invented by Anton van Leeuwenhoek.

  • The Mercury Thermometer: The first mercury thermometer was created in the year $1714$.

• Historical Treatments Still in Use:

  • Medications derived from plants and herbs, such as Morphine (from the poppy) and Digitalis (from the foxglove plant), are still utilized in modern medicine.

  • Ancient Greek Therapies: Included the use of massage, art therapy, and various herbal treatments.

UNIT 10 — SAFETY & LEGAL

• HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides strict guidelines for maintaining the confidentiality and security of healthcare information.

• Emergency Protocols: A "Code Blue" is a hospital emergency code indicating that a patient is in Cardiac Arrest.

UNIT 11 — DIAGNOSTICS & TECHNOLOGY

• Stress Test: A diagnostic procedure where an Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is recorded while the patient is performing physical exercise.

• Radiation Therapy: A treatment modality that uses high-energy particles (ionizing radiation) to decrease the size of tumors or destroy cancer cells.

• Computer Literacy: Defined as a basic understanding of how computers work and the ability to use them effectively for required tasks.

UNIT 12 — EDUCATION & CAREERS

• Post-Secondary Education: This term best describes education pursued after high school, specifically college or university studies.

• Short-Term Career Training: For a student seeking a healthcare career that requires no more than one year of post-secondary training, becoming a Phlebotomist is an appropriate choice.