Chapter 11: Vital Signs, Monitoring Devices, and History Taking

Question 1

vital signs

Answer 1

“signs of life,” outward signs that give clues to what is happening in the body
- respiration
- pulse
- skin
- pupils
- blood pressure
- pulse oximetry

Question 2

baseline vital signs

Answer 2

the first set of measurements you take, subsequent measurements can be compared to them

Question 3

sphygmomanometer

Answer 3

blood pressure cuff

Question 4

respiratory rate

Answer 4

assessed by observing the patient’s chest rise and fall, determined by counting breaths in 30 seconds and multiplying by 2

Question 5

respiratory quality

Answer 5

tidal volume, how well air is moving in and out…

Question 6

normal quality (respiratory)

Answer 6

an adequate tidal volume

Question 7

abnormal quality (respiratory)

Answer 7

inadequate tidal volume

Question 8

stridor

Answer 8

harsh, high pitch sound

Question 9

respiratory rhythm

Answer 9

irregularity or regularity of respirations

Question 10

cheyne strokes

Answer 10

the respiratory rate and tidal volume gradually increase and gradually decrease followed by a period of apnea up to 10 seconds, repeats

Question 11

biot

Answer 11

like Cheyne strokes but tidal volume does not change

Question 12

apneustic

Answer 12

prolonged periods of inhalation

Question 13

ataxic

Answer 13

an irregularly irregular pattern of rate and tidal volume

Question 14

agonal

Answer 14

long periods of apnea with a gasping breath in between

Question 15

kussmaul

Answer 15

a rapid respiratory rate with a deep and labored tidal volume

Question 16

central neurogenic hyperventilation

Answer 16

a sustained deep and rapid respiratory rate of at least 25 breaths per minute but with a regular pattern

Question 17

popliteal artery

Answer 17

in the crease behind the knee

Question 18

tachycardia

Answer 18

greater than 100 bpm in adults

Question 19

bradycardia

Answer 19

less than 60 bpm in adults

Question 20

to take pulse rate

Answer 20

1) position patient (sit or lay down)
2) use tips of two fingers, feel artery gently, avoid using thumb
3) count number of beats in 30 seconds, multiply by 2

Question 21

strong pulse

Answer 21

a pulse that is both full and normally strong

Question 22

bounding pulse

Answer 22

abnormally strong

Question 23

weak pulse

Answer 23

does not feel full, may be difficult to find and palpate, may also be rapid

Question 24

thready pulse

Answer 24

weak and rapid pulse

Question 25

regular pulse

Answer 25

normal pulse that occurs at regular intervals with a smooth rhythm

Question 26

irregular pulse

Answer 26

occurs at irregular intervals. regularly irregular = the irregular beat occurs at a regular interval, has a pattern. irregularly regular = has no predictable pattern, chaotic rhythm

Question 27

pulse paradoxus

Answer 27

a decrease of pulse strength during the inspiratory phase, indication of severe cardiac or respiratory injury/illness or significant blood loss

Question 28

conjunctiva

Answer 28

mucous membranes that line the eyelid

Question 29

paleness/pallor

Answer 29

sign of extreme vasoconstriction, blood loss, both, shock...

Question 30

blue gray color / cyanosis

Answer 30

inadequate oxygenation, poor perfusion, often appears in fingertips and around mouth

Question 31

red color / flushing

Answer 31

sign of heat exposure, peripheral vasodilation, late finding in carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 32

yellow color / jaundice

Answer 32

liver diseas

Question 33

mottling

Answer 33

discoloration similar to cyanosis, occurs as a blotchy pattern

Question 34

hot skin

Answer 34

fever or exposure to heat

Question 35

cool skin

Answer 35

inadequate circulation, shock, cold exposure

Question 36

cold skin

Answer 36

extreme exposure to cold

Question 37

clammy

Answer 37

cool and moist skin

Question 38

diaphoresis

Answer 38

profuse sweating

Question 39

capillary refill time

Answer 39

the time it takes compressed capillaries to fill up again with blood

Question 40

dilated pupils

Answer 40

use of certain drugs (LSD, amphetamines, atropine, cocaine)

Question 41

constricted pupils

Answer 41

central nervous system disorder, use of narcotics, glaucoma medications, brightly lit environment

Question 42

consensual reflex

Answer 42

pupils have the same reaction to light

Question 43

fixed pupil

Answer 43

one that does not react

Question 44

blood pressure

Answer 44

pressure that is exerted on the walls of the arteries by the blood flowing through them

Question 45

prehypertension (adult)

Answer 45

121-139 mmHg

Question 46

systolic hypertension (adult)

Answer 46

140 mmHg or above

Question 47

pulse pressure

Answer 47

difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Question 48

auscultation

Answer 48

listening

Question 49

palpation

Answer 49

feeling

Question 50

orthostatic vital signs

Answer 50

place patient in supine position and measure blood pressure and heart rate, stand patient up and reassess after 2 minute, aka tilt test