Patient Assessment Flashcards by Nia Wallace

What essential vital signs should be taken to assess the patient’s current condition?

Temperature
Pulse + heartbeat
Respiration
Mucous membrane colour
Capillary Refill Time
Blood pressure

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What is the most common + accurate method of taking a patient’s temperature?

Rectally, with a rectal thermometer

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What is not an acceptable method of storing thermometers, after use?

In a container of disinfectant, as it is very un-hygienic

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What is the standard measurement that temperatures should be recorded at?

Celsius

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What should you always apply both pre + post use of a thermometer?

PPE, along with WHO hand-wash

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How long should you typically leave the thermometer in place for?

30 > 60 seconds or until the thermometer beeps

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How should you disinfect a thermometer after use?

Wash in warm water + detergent
or
If you have applied a thermometer cover, remove this + repeat as above

Never use hot water + as can break the thermometer

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If you’re using a mecury thermometer, what should you do prior to switching it on and off?

Shake the mecury down

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How should you insert a rectal thermometer?

Gently
With rotating action
Hold against rectal canal not centrally, where fecal matter may be present
Read at horizontal level

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What should you do if you recieve an abnormal reading on the thermometer?

Re-take/repeat it
Record
Report to VS

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What should you apply to the thermometer or thermometer cover?

Lubrication
(KY-Jelly most common)

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True or False.

You should perform the WHO handwash prior to to patient contact + taking the patient’s temperature

True

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What should you ensure the thermometer is prior to use?

Clean!

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What is the normal temperature of a Dog?

38.3 > 38.9 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Cat?

38.2 > 38.6 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Rabbit?

38.5 > 40 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Guinea Pig?

37.2 > 39.5 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Chinchilla?

37 > 38 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Chipmunk?

38 degrees celsius

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During Torpor

What is the normal temperature of a Chipmunk?

38 degrees celsius (+ or - a few)

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What is the normal temperature of a Gerbil?

37.4 > 39 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Rat?

38 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Syrian Hamster?

36.2 > 37.5 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a Russian Hamster?

36 > 38 degrees celsius

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What is the normal temperature of a **Mouse**?

37.5 degrees celsius

What is the normal temperature of a **Ferret**?

37.8 > 40 degrees celsius

What are the organs which are most susceptible to Hyperthermia?

* Brain * Heart * Kidneys * Liver

What is Pyrexia also known as?

* True fever or * Pyrogenic

What are potential causes of Hyperthermia?

* General over-heating * Uncontrollable set point is altered * Core Body Temperature (CBT) due to **exogenous** factors * Exposure to **endogenous** heat

What are potential causes of Pyrexia?

* Imflammatory response or infection

What are potential causes of Hypothermia?

* Sedation * Anaesthetic * Analgesic drugs * Kidney disease * Heart disease * Shock * Lethargy * Injury * Internal bleeding

What is meant by Diphasic?

Fluctuating temperature

What are potential causes of Diphasic?

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)

What is CDV also known as?

Hard-pad Disease

Alongside the clinical sign of Diphasia, what discharge is accompanied with CDV?

Nasal + Ocular discharge

What 2 fingers should be used when applying light pressure to the pulse point?

* Index finger * Middle fingers

Why should you not use the thumb to take a pulse point?

The thumb has a strong pulse which can be mistaken for the patient's pulse

How long should you count pulse beats for per 1 minute, to get a reading?

Either: * Taking the reading for 30 seconds, then x 2 * Take the reading for 15 seconda, then x 4

What aspect should you access the **Femoral artery** for a pulse?

Medial aspect of the proximal femur

What aspect should you access the **Digital artery** for a pulse?

Palmar aspect of carpus

What aspect should you access the **Metatarsal artery** for a pulse?

Dorsal aspect of metatarsus

What aspect should you access the **Coccygeal artery** for a pulse?

Ventral aspect of base of the tail

What aspect should you access the **Sub-lingual artery** for a pulse?

Underside of tongue, for each side of the frenulum

What does assessment of the pulse rate + quality provide?

An overall evaluation of the cardiovascular system

What is the pulse rate?

Number of pulses within 1 minute

What does a pulse deficit mean?

That the pulse rate + the heart rate are not corresponding

What should 5 major things should you assess when taking a pulse rate?

1. Quality 1. Strength 1. Speed 1. Duration 1. Abnormalities

What can be useful to assess whilst you are palpating the patient's pulse?

Asculate the heart with a stethoscope

What is the normal heart rate of a **Dog**?

70 > 140 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Cat**?

100 > 200 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Rabbit**?

130 > 325 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Guinea Pig**?

230 > 380 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Chinchilla**?

200 > 380 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Chipmunk**?

264 > 296 bpm

# During Torpor What is the normal heart rate of a **Chipmunk**?

3 > 6 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Gerbil**?

260 > 600 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Rat**?

310 > 500 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Syrian Hamster**?

300 > 470 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Russian Hamster**?

300 > 460 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Mouse**?

420 > 700 bpm

What is the normal heart rate of a **Ferret**?

420 > 700 bpm

What are the potential causes for Tachycardia?

* Congestive heart faliure * Splenic disease * Gastro-Intestinal disease * Heart disease * Myocarditis * Pancreatitis * Dilated cardiomyopathy

What are the potential causes for Bradycardia?

Types of disease: * Systemic * GI * Respiratory * Neurological * Ocular * Sinus

Define what is meant by Sinus Arrhythmia?

Normal vairation in pulse rate

What is a weak pulse?

Lower circulating blood volume

What can a weak pulse indicate?

Cardiac disease

What does the body indicate when a strong + jerky pulse is produced?

It's providing a temporary compensatory mechanisim

What can a strong + jerky pulse indicate?

* Reduced circulating volume * Congential cardiac abnormalities

What 2 methods are used to assess the heart?

1. Palpation 1. Ausculation

# (More so a dog) Where would you locate a heartbeat on a patient?

* Between the 3rd + 6th rib * Left side * Ventral chest

Where do you place the stethoscope on the patient to accertain a heartbeat? + How should you ausculate it?

1. Hold stethoscope to the diaphragm 1. Gently against chest 1. Move cranially, caudally + ventrally = covers the base + apex of the heart 1. Listen for 1 minute 1st = to establish quality, strength of contractions, rhythm, abnormalities, intensity + clarity 1. Then listen for either 30 sec x 2 or 15 sexc x 4 1. Palpate patient's pulse stimultaneously = ensure no pulse deficit 1. Listen to R-side of chest = hear for heart sounds or murmurs 1. Then listen for: * Cranial + cadual lung fields * Dorsally * Medially * Ventrally = at Inspiration + Expiration = to detect abnormal lung sounds

What 6 things should you listen for when listening to heart sounds?

1. Rate 2. Rhythm 3. Quality 4. Strength 5. Extraneous sounds 6. Timing All alongside pulse

What sound does the heart make when the beginning of **Systole** starts?

"Lub"

What sound does the heart make when the end of **Systole** starts + the beginning of **Diastole** starts?

"Dub"

# (LUB) What occurs during Systole?

The **Tricuspid** + **Mitral** valves close

# (DUB) What occurs during end of **Systole** + the beginning of **Diastole** starts?

The **Aortic** + **Pulmonic** Valves Close

# (Primary survery) Name the **6 cardiovascular** parameters that can be assessed from the patient

1. Heart rate 2. Pulse rate, quality + signs of deficits 3. MM colour 4. CRT 5. Cardiac auscultation 6. Evidence of severe (arterial) haemorrhaging

# (Primary survery) Name the **4 respiratory** parameters that can be assessed from the patient

1. Rate 2. Effort 3. MM colour 4. Thoracic wall injuries

# (Primary survery) Name the **4 neurological** parameters that can be assessed from the patient

1. Consciousness 2. Mentation 3. Gait/Movement 4. Cranial Nerve Responses (CNR)

# (Secondary survery) Name the **7** parameters that can be assessed from the patient's **head** + **neck**

1. Head position 2. Eye position + general ocular examination 3. Ears 4. Jaw (crepitus, malalignment + asymmetry) 5. Teeth (wear, fractures + missing) 6. Beak (apposition, length + wear) 7. Superficial lymph nodes

# (Secondary survery) Name the **3** parameters that can be assessed from the patient's **abdomen**

1. Body wall trauma (bites + punctures) 2. Distension 3. Herniation

# (Secondary survery) Name the **6** parameters that can be assessed from the patient's **genitourinary** area

1. Cloaca 2. Vulva 3. Anus 4. Mammary glands 5. Prepuce 6. Scrotum

# (Secondary survery) Name the **3** parameters that can be assessed from the **muscoskeletal** section of the patient

1. Palpate = length of limbs or wings 2. Palpate = tail 3. Manipulate all joints

# (Secondary survery) Name the **4** parameters that can be assessed from the patient's **skin** + **Integument**

1. Epidermis 2. Feathers 3. Coat 4. Evidence of = bruising, bleeding + wounds, etc

# (Secondary survery) Name the parameter that can be assessed from the patient's **lymphatic system**

1. Palpate superficial lymph nodes

Name 3 other parameters which can be assessed, and are not strictly included/linked to either: * Cardiovascular * Respiratory * Neurological * Lymphatic * Skin/Integument * Genitourinary * Abdominal area * Head + neck

1. Hydration status 2. Temperature 3. Pain

Patient Assessment Flashcards

(88 cards)