Chapter 20

Absolutely! Chapter 20 is really high-yield because it has a LOT of numbers, normal ranges, procedures, and β€œTell the Nurse!” situations. I kept it to 80 cards max, just like the others, and focused on what I’d expect you to actually be tested on.

πŸ“š Chapter 20 β€” Vital Signs, Height & Weight

80 high-yield flashcards

Vital Signs Basics


1. What does β€œvital” mean in vital signs?
β†’ Necessary to life

2. What are the four vital signs?
β†’ Temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure

3. Why are vital signs important?
β†’ They provide essential information about health

4. What can a major or lasting vital-sign change indicate?
β†’ Illness or injury

5. What is considered the fifth vital sign?
β†’ Pain

6. When should vital signs be rechecked after activity?
β†’ After the person rests a few minutes

7. What should you do if a vital sign is abnormal?
β†’ Recheck it, then report immediately

8. Why must vital signs be measured accurately?
β†’ They guide important care decisions

9. When should you ask for help taking vital signs?
β†’ When you have difficulty or are unsure

10. What can be normal for one person but abnormal for another?
β†’ Vital-sign measurements

🌑 Body Temperature


11. What is body temperature?
β†’ The difference between heat produced and lost

12. What process produces body heat from food?
β†’ Metabolism

13. Where is body-temperature regulation controlled?
β†’ The brain

14. What can physical or emotional stress do to temperature?
β†’ Increase it

15. When is body temperature typically lowest?
β†’ In the morning

16. What two age groups are more temperature-sensitive?
β†’ Infants and older adults

17. What five sites can measure body temperature?
β†’ Oral, rectal, axillary, tympanic, temporal

18. What should you document about temperature measurement?
β†’ The measurement method

19. What does β€œfebrile” mean?
β†’ Having a fever

20. What can an elevated temperature indicate?
β†’ Infection

🌑 Thermometers & Temperature Sites


21. Why are glass thermometers rarely used?
β†’ Risk of breakage and mercury exposure

22. What temperature range is marked on a Fahrenheit glass thermometer?
β†’ 94°–108Β°F

23. Below what Fahrenheit temperature must glass thermometers be shaken?
β†’ Below 94Β°F

24. What should never be used to clean a glass thermometer?
β†’ Hot water

25. What should you do if a glass thermometer breaks?
β†’ Avoid touching the liquid and broken glass

26. What color electronic probe is used orally or axillary?
β†’ Blue

27. What color electronic probe is used rectally?
β†’ Red

28. What does a tympanic thermometer measure?
β†’ Ear temperature

29. Why are tympanic thermometers often used with children?
β†’ Safe, quick, and relatively painless

30. What is the least invasive thermometer?
β†’ Temporal artery thermometer

31. Which temperature site is least reliable?
β†’ Axillary

32. How long should you wait after eating before an oral temperature?
β†’ Usually 15–30 minutes

33. What activities can affect an oral temperature reading?
β†’ Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum

34. Name one situation when oral temperature should not be taken.
β†’ Unconsciousness

35. How deep may a rectal thermometer be inserted in an adult?
β†’ No more than 1 inch

36. Why must you stay with someone during rectal temperature measurement?
β†’ Vagus stimulation can be dangerous

37. Name one condition preventing rectal temperature measurement.
β†’ Diarrhea

38. How long should you wait after axillary washing/deodorant?
β†’ At least 15 minutes

39. Which ear should be used with an earache?
β†’ The other ear

40. What can cause a falsely low temporal temperature?
β†’ Sweating

❀ Pulse


41. What does the pulse represent?
β†’ The heartbeat traveling through arteries

42. What is pulse rate?
β†’ Number of pulsations per minute

43. What is pulse rhythm?
β†’ Pattern of pulsations and pauses

44. What is an irregular pulse rhythm called?
β†’ Dysrhythmia

45. What is pulse amplitude?
β†’ Force or quality of the pulse

46. What can a weak or thready pulse indicate?
β†’ Trouble circulating blood

47. What factors can increase pulse rate?
β†’ Exercise, anxiety, illness, pain, fever, excitement

48. Where is the radial pulse located?
β†’ Inside of the wrist

49. Which fingers should take a radial pulse?
β†’ Middle two or three fingers

50. Why shouldn't you use your thumb for a pulse?
β†’ It has its own strong pulse

51. When may carotid or femoral pulses be used?
β†’ During emergencies or CPR

52. What is an apical pulse?
β†’ Heartbeat heard with a stethoscope

53. Where is the apical pulse heard?
β†’ Left chest, below the left nipple

54. When is an apical pulse especially useful?
β†’ Weak or irregular radial pulse

55. What is the diaphragm of a stethoscope used for?
β†’ Loud, harsh sounds

56. What is the bell of a stethoscope used for?
β†’ Softer sounds

57. What is a pulse deficit?
β†’ Difference between apical and radial rates

58. Which is always equal or higher: apical or radial?
β†’ Apical pulse

59. What is adult tachycardia?
β†’ More than 100 beats per minute

60. What is adult bradycardia?
β†’ Less than 60 beats per minute

61. What is the normal adult pulse range?
β†’ 60–100 beats/minute

62. How long is a child's pulse measured if under age 12?
β†’ A full minute

🫁 Respirations


63. What is respiration?
β†’ The process of breathing

64. What happens during inhalation?
β†’ Chest rises as air enters

65. What happens during exhalation?
β†’ Chest falls as air leaves

66. What three things are assessed with respirations?
β†’ Rate, rhythm, and depth

67. What is one complete respiration?
β†’ One inhalation and one exhalation

68. What is the normal adult respiratory rate?
β†’ 12–20 breaths/minute

69. What is eupnea?
β†’ Normal breathing

70. What is tachypnea?
β†’ More than 24 breaths/minute

71. What is bradypnea?
β†’ Less than 10 breaths/minute

72. What is dyspnea?
β†’ Difficult or labored breathing

73. What is hyperventilation?
β†’ Increased rate and depth

74. What is hypoventilation?
β†’ Decreased rate and depth

75. How can you get a more accurate respiratory count?
β†’ Count while appearing to take the pulse

76. What respiratory sounds should be reported?
β†’ Wheezing or congestion

🩸 Blood Pressure


77. What is blood pressure?
β†’ Force of blood against arterial walls

78. What is systolic pressure?
β†’ Pressure when the heart contracts

79. What is diastolic pressure?
β†’ Pressure when the heart relaxes

80. What is pulse pressure?
β†’ Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT FOR YOUR EXAM

If you're short on time, memorize these first:

  • 4 vital signs: temperature, pulse, respirations, BP

  • Abnormal vital sign β†’ recheck β†’ report immediately

  • Pulse: rate + rhythm + amplitude

  • Tachycardia: >100 bpm

  • Bradycardia: <60 bpm

  • Adult pulse: 60–100 bpm

  • Children under 12: pulse counted for a full minute

  • Respiration: inhalation + exhalation = 1 breath

  • Adult respirations: 12–20/min

  • Tachypnea: >24/min

  • Bradypnea: <10/min

  • Dyspnea: difficult/labored breathing

  • BP: systolic = heart contracts; diastolic = heart relaxes

  • Normal adult BP: 120/80

  • Adult systolic normal range: 90–120

  • Adult diastolic normal range: 60–80

  • Hypertension: consistently >140/90

  • Hypotension: consistently <90/60

  • Orthostatic hypotension: BP drops when standing

  • Sit/dangle before standing to prevent dizziness/falls

  • BP cuff too small β†’ falsely high

  • BP cuff too large β†’ falsely low

  • Arm below heart β†’ BP reads too high

  • Arm above heart β†’ BP reads too low

  • Never BP on IV arm

  • Never BP on dialysis-access arm

  • Never BP on mastectomy side

  • Wait 5 minutes before routine BP

  • Korotkoff first sound = systolic

  • Korotkoff last sound = diastolic

  • Height/weight aren't technically vital signs

  • Height: measured on admission

  • Weight: admission + transfer/discharge + periodically as ordered

  • Regular weight: same time, same clothing, no shoes, after emptying bladder

  • Upright scale: person can stand

  • Chair scale: person can't stand independently but can get out of bed

  • Sling scale: person cannot get out of bed

  • Don't use sling scale unless trained

This chapter is very memorization-heavy, so I’d prioritize the bold numbers and the β€œTell the Nurse!” situations before trying to master every procedure detail.