Vital Sign Taking Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are vital signs taking and it’s definition?
Temperature,Pulse, Respiratory and blood pressure
-obtaining and recording accurately and safely, recognizing from normal
Give me one purpose of vital sign taking?
- to determine the course of illness, this serves as a guide in meeting the needs of the patient
-to afford an opportunity to observe the general condition of the patient
-to aid the physician in making diagnosis and planning the patient’s care
Give me One general consideration
-Before vital signs are taken, be sure that the patient was rested
-Remember that the frequency of taking the TPR depends upon the condition of the patient and the policy of the agency
-Inform the physician or head nurse promptly for any significant change in the vital signs
-Explain the procedure to the patient so that he/she feels at ease
What is temperature taking?
- the balance between heat production and heat loss
Give me one special consideration of temperature taking
-stay with the patient while the thermometer is in place
-provide individual thermometer for each patient
-use only rectal thermometer, for rectal temperature
-when a patient has diarrhea, do not take temperature by rectum
-Using the axillary method,see to it that the axilla is dry and the bulb of the thermometer is within the hollow of the axilla
-Remember that rectal temperature is taken to check the anal passage/ opening newborn baby
What is the definition of Obtaining the pulse (Radial artery)
-the expansion of the arterial walls occurring with each ventricular contraction
Give me one purpose of obtaining pulse
-to count the number of times that heart beats per minute
-to obtain information regarding the condition of the heart action and patient’s general condition
Give me one special one consideration of obtaining pulse rste
Remember that one pulse or one complete rise and fall of the arterial wall is considered as one beat or count
Take the pulse at a convenient site for the patient and the nurse
When taking the pulse, note the rate, rhythm, the volume and quality of the arterial wall.
Do not take a pulse when the patient is restless or when a child is crying
If peripheral pulse is difficult to obtain, take the apical or cardiac rate
What is the definition of Obtaining the respiratory rate
To process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are interchanged
Give me one purpose of respiratory rate
- to obtain the respiratory rate per minute
-to obtain information about the patient’s respiratory rate
Give me one special consideration of respiratory rate
-note the rate depth and character of respiration
-note the color of the patient and his act of breathing while taking his respiratory
-the patient should not be made aware that his respiratory is being taken
What is the definition of taking blood pressure
To take systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure
To determine certain physiologic changes that may occur
To determine the pumping action of the heart
To aid in diagnosis
To evaluate the general condition of the patient
Give me one special consideration of taking blood pressure
-Keep patient physically and emotionally rested before taking the blood pressure
-for required repeated reading take blood pressure in the same arm, in the same position and time
-take blood pressure spreading as quickly as possible to prevent venous congestion
-allow 20-30 seconds for venous circulation to return to normal if repeated reading is necessary
-report promptly to the physician or head nurse any significant changes in blood pressure
-siz of cuff should be appropriate to the size of the patient’s arm
