Vital signs flash

Q: What are the five common vital signs?

A: Temperature, Pulse Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), Blood Pressure (BP), Pain Scale

Card 2: Temperature Basics

Q: What is the average normal body temperature?

A: 98.6°F (37°C)

Card 3: Temperature Regulation

Q: Which part of the brain regulates body temperature?

A: Hypothalamus

Card 4: Hyperthermia

Q: What is hyperthermia?

A: Elevated body temperature, often due to infection or heat exposure.

Card 5: Hypothermia

Q: What is hypothermia?

A: Body temperature below normal, which slows metabolism.

Card 6: Temperature and Metabolism

Q: How does a 1°C increase in body temperature affect metabolism?

A: O₂ consumption and CO₂ production increase by 10%.

Card 7: Temperature Measurement Sites

Q: What are the five common temperature measurement sites?

A: Oral, Axillary, Rectal, Temporal, Tympanic

Card 8: Oral Temperature

Q: Why should oral temperature readings be delayed for 10-15 minutes?

A: If the patient has been smoking or drinking liquids.

Card 9: Axillary Temperature

Q: Who is the axillary temperature method best for?

A: Infants or small children.

Card 10: Rectal Temperature

Q: Which temperature site is closest to actual core temperature?

A: Rectal

Card 11: Temporal Temperature

Q: How does a temporal thermometer work?

A: It uses infrared technology to measure temperature from the temporal artery.

Card 12: Tympanic Temperature

Q: What part of the body does a tympanic thermometer measure?

A: The eardrum.

Card 13: Pulse Rate (HR)

Q: What three factors are assessed when checking pulse?

A: Rate, rhythm, and strength.

Card 14: Normal Heart Rate

Q: What is the normal adult heart rate?

A: 60-100 bpm

Card 15: Tachycardia

Q: What is tachycardia?

A: HR >100 bpm, caused by stress, fever, low BP, or hypoxia.

Card 16: Bradycardia

Q: What is bradycardia?

A: HR <60 bpm, often due to hypothermia or medications.

Card 17: How to Measure HR

Q: What fingers should be used to check pulse?

A: 2nd and 3rd finger pads (not the thumb).

Card 18: HR Measurement Duration

Q: How long should HR be counted?

A: One full minute, especially if irregular.

Card 19: HR Sites

Q: Name three common pulse sites.

A: Radial, Carotid, Brachial

Card 20: Pulsus Alternans

Q: What does pulsus alternans indicate?

A: Left heart failure.

Card 21: Pulsus Paradoxus

Q: What is pulsus paradoxus?

A: A significant decrease in pulse strength during spontaneous inspiration.

Card 22: Respiratory Rate (RR)

Q: What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

A: 12-20 breaths per minute.

Card 23: Tachypnea

Q: What is tachypnea?

A: RR >20, often due to exertion, fever, or anxiety.

Card 24: Bradypnea

Q: What is bradypnea?

A: RR <12, often caused by head injuries or narcotics.

Card 25: Measuring Respiratory Rate

Q: How should RR be measured?

A: By observing chest or abdominal movement, ideally without the patient noticing.

Card 26: Blood Pressure Basics

Q: What does systemic blood pressure measure?

A: The force of blood against arterial walls.

Card 27: Systolic vs. Diastolic Pressure

Q: What is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?

A: Systolic is the peak force during contraction; diastolic is the resting force.

Card 28: Pulse Pressure

Q: What is pulse pressure?

A: The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure (average 30-40 mmHg).

Card 29: Normal Blood Pressure

Q: What is considered normal BP for adults?

A: Systolic <120 mmHg, Diastolic <80 mmHg.

Card 30: Hypertension

Q: What is hypertension?

A: BP >130/80, often caused by high vascular resistance.

Card 31: Hypotension

Q: What is hypotension?

A: BP <95/60, leading to poor organ perfusion.

Card 32: Postural Hypotension

Q: What causes postural hypotension?

A: A sudden BP drop when standing, usually due to low blood volume.

Card 33: BP Measurement Equipment

Q: What tools are used to measure BP?

A: Sphygmomanometer (BP cuff) and stethoscope.

Card 34: How to Measure BP

Q: How is BP measured manually?

A: Inflate the cuff above systolic pressure, then slowly release while listening for Korotkoff sounds.

Card 35: Korotkoff Sounds

Q: What do Korotkoff sounds indicate?

A: The first sound marks systolic pressure; the point where it muffles is diastolic pressure.

Card 36: Automated BP Measurement

Q: What devices can measure BP automatically?

A: Digital BP cuffs and Doppler machines.

Card 37: Pain Scale

Q: Why is pain considered the 5th vital sign?

A: It quantifies pain based on the patient’s perception.

Card 38: Pain Assessment Methods

Q: Name two common pain assessment tools.

A: Numeric pain scale (0-10) and Wong-Baker Faces scale.

Card 39: Effect of Pain on Vital Signs

Q: How does severe pain affect BP and HR?

A: It can increase both BP and HR due to stress responses.

Card 40: Importance of Vital Signs

Q: Why are vital signs important?

A: They provide key indicators of a patient’s overall health and stability.

Q:What causes Tachycardia

A:Exersise,fever,fear, anemia,low blood pressure , reduced arterial blood oxygen levels

Q:What causes bradycardia

A:Hypothermia,arrhythmias, medication , most athletes have this

Q:What causes tachypnea

A:Exertion, exercise, fever, hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis , pain

Q:What causes bradypnea

A:Head injuries, hypothermia , drug OD , narcotics

Q; Thrills/ and or Bruits

A'; palpable or auscultated vibrations in pulse

Q; Pulsus alternans

A; alternating succession of strong/ weak pulses suggesting left heart failure

Q; Pulsus paradoxes

A; Significant decrease in pulse strength during spontaneous inspiration ( quantified with BP a fall of systolic BP of > 10mmHg Indicates severe obstructive diseases like asthma , pericarditis, cardiac tamponade

Q: Systolic pressure 

A: peak force exerted during contraction of the left ventricle 

Q; Diastolic pressure

A; force remaining during relaxation of the left ventricle 

Q; Pulse pressure 

A; Difference between systolic and diastolic avg 30-40 torr 

Q; Normal level 

A; In adults systolic is <120 torr and diastolic is <80 torr 

Q; Hypertension and BP is considered elevated if 

A; BP is greater than 130/80-89  considered elevated if 120-129/80

Q; Hypotension

A; Bp is less than  95/60

Q; Postural hypotension 

A; an abrupt fall in BP when a person sits or stands known as hypovolemia 

Q; Hypotension can cause 

A;LV failure, low blood volume, low SVR, organs may not get adequate blood flow can lead to tissue hypoxia 

Q; Hypertension ( high systematic vascular resistance - most common 

A; leads to headaches, blurred vision , strokes, renal failure, congestive heart failure 

Q; Increasing ___ is the bodys ___ for increasing ___

A; HR, primary mechanism , cardiac output