Vital Signs Flashcards
Pulse
A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists (Radial) or neck (Common Carotid).
Pulse Rate
(PR)
The number of heart beats per minute.
The average adult pulse rate is 60-100 beats/minute.
Pulse Quality / Force
The strength of the pulsation felt when palpating for the pulse, caused by the pulse wave expanding the artery being palpated.
Types of pulse qualities:
— Rhythmic (a normal and steady pulse)
— Irregular (a bounding or thready pulse)
Respiration
( Respers / RR)
The process of inhalation and exhalation to acquire a single breath.
Common respiratory rates:
— Eupnea (12-20 breaths/minute)
— Tachypnea ( > 20 breaths/minute)
— Bradypnea ( < 8 breaths/minute)
Respiratory Quality
The quality of a patient’s breathing during observation.
Types of Respirations Qualities:
— Normal
— Shallow
— Labored
— Noisy
Blood Pressure
(BP)
The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.
Heart rates to remember:
— Normocardia (60-100 bpm)
— Tachycardia (faster than 100 bpm)
— Bradycardia (slower than 60 bpm)
Systolic
The pressure created when the heart contracts and forced blood into the arteries.
The “top” number.
Average systolic numbers are between 90-140.
Diastolic
The measured force created when the left ventricle relaxes and refills itself.
The “bottom” number.
Good Diastolic numbers are between 60-90.
Hypertensive
(Hypertension)
A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or greater in a patient.
Auscultation
The act of listening for any given reading or indication.
Palpation
The act of applying pressure to an artery or a denser region to acquire the Systolic reading of an artery.
Used as a part of physical examination in which an object is felt to determine it’s size, shape, firmness, or location.
Blood Pressure Cuff
(Sphygmomanometer)
A medical provider’s blood pressure cuff.
An instrument for measuring blood pressure, typically consisting of an inflatable rubber cuff which is applied to the arm and connected to a column of mercury next to a graduated scale, enabling the determination of Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure by increasing and gradually releasing the pressure in the cuff.
Oxygen Saturation
(SpO2)
The fraction of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin relative to total hemoglobin in the blood.
The human body requires and regulates a very precise and specific balance of oxygen in the blood.
Normal arterial blood Oxygen Saturation levels (SPo2) in humans are 94–99% percent.
Glucose
(mg/dL)
A simple sugar which is an important energy source in living organisms, and is a component of many carbohydrates.
As important to the body and cells as oxygen is to the brain.
Hypoglycemic levels:
— Insulin Shock — Lower than 70 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L )
Normal glucose levels:
— 80-120 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L )
Hyperglycemic levels:
— Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA) — Greater than 200 mg/dL (7 mmol/L )
Hypotension
(Hypotensive)
A blood pressure reading of 90/60 or less in a patient.
NOTE: This patient must be treated for shock, and placed in a position of perfusion!
Cushing’s Reflex / Triad
The Cushing Reflex is a physiological nervous system response to acute elevations of Intracranial Pressure (ICP), resulting in the Cushing Triad of Widened Pulse Pressure (increasing Systolic, decreasing Diastolic), Bradycardia, and Irregular Respirations.
Assessment Findings:
— Bradycardia — Hypertension — Widened Pulse Pressure — Irregular / Agonal Breathing — Cheyne-Stokes Respirations — Hypotension in Pediatric patients
Treatments:
— Immediate CPR / AED (as needed) — Assistive ventilation as needed — Supplemental O2 (monitored) — Transport patient in the upright position — Reduce cerebral tension
Shock
The body’s response to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
At first, the body responds to this life-threatening situation by constricting (narrowing) blood vessels in the extremities (hands and feet).
This is called Vasoconstriction and it helps conserve blood flow to the vital organs.
Assessment Findings:
— Pale, cold, clammy skin — Shallow / Rapid breathing — Dyspnea — Anxiety — Tachycardia — Dysrhythmia — Thirst or a dry mouth — Low urine output / Dark urine
Treatments:
— Immediate CPR / AED (as needed) — Warm the patient — Assistive ventilation as needed — Supplemental O2 (monitored) — High Flow O2 — Transport patient in the shock position — Maintain perfusion
Hemaglobin
(Hb)
The amount of hemoglobin in whole blood is expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dl).
— Normal Hb levels (males) is 13 to 17 g/dl. — Normal Hb levels (females) is 12 to 15 g/dl.
When the hemoglobin level is low, the patient has anemia (iron-poor blood).
