Physical Measurements Flashcards
What is the normal range for systolic and diastolic blood pressure in an adult
Systolic: 110-140
Diastolic: 70-80
Define blood pressure including systole and diastole
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood inside the vessels against the vessel walls.
Systolic pressure is the peak pressure of the left ventricle contracting and the blood entering the aorta causing it to stretch.
Diastolic pressure is the pressure when the aortic valve closes, blood flows from the aorta into the smaller vessels and the aorta recoils back.
State three signs of hypotension
Nausea
Dizziness
Fainting
State three risks of hypertension
Stroke due to cerebral haemorrhage.
Left (and eventually right) ventricular hypertrophy and failure.
Reduced renal function & failure.
What is the normal range for heart rate in an adult
55-90 bpm
Define Tachycardia
Abnormally fast heart rate (> 100 bpm)
Define Bradycardia
Heart rate slower than 60 bpm
State five sites to palpate a pulse
Common carotid Brachael Radila Femoral Dorsalis pedis
What is the normal range for body temperature
36-37.5 C
Define Pyrexia
Pyrexia (fever) is rise in body temperature above the normal range.
(Triggered by the hypothalamus responding to cytokines)
Define Apyrexia
Absence of fever
State three reasons a patient may have pyrexia
Infection
Blood transfusion
Disturbance of body tissue due to trauma
Define hypothermia
Core temperature of 35°C (or less) that causes the metabolic rate to decrease.
State three reasons why a patient may have hypothermia or hyperthermia
Hypothermia:
- Exposure
- Metabolic conditions such as hypoglycaemia
- substances that increases vasodilation such as alcohol.
Hyperthermia:
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Heat Stroke
- Malignant hyperthermia
What is the normal range for respiratory rate in an adult
12-18 bpm
