Vital Signs 1 Flashcards
(78 cards)
what are the factors that affect VS?
medication, illness/infection, exercise/stress, age, hypolemia/dehydration, environment, PO (oral) intake, hormones, circadian rhythm
how do medications affect VS?
antipyretics - reduce temperature and hide fever
opioids - decrease RR and can take away the drive to breathe
antihypertensives - decrease BP and P
how does illness and infection affect VS?
fever - cause an increase in BP, P, RR
infection - increase P… sepsis causes increase P and decrease BP
how does exercise and stress affect VS?
increased metabolism temporarily increases T, P, BP, and RR
how does age affect VS?
older adults and infants have a harder time regulating their T
how does hypovolemia and dehydration affect VS?
haemorrhage causes decreased BP and increased P… dehydration can do the same
how does the environment affect VS?
visiting a healthcare provider can be anxiety ridden and cause increase BP
how does PO (oral) intake affect VS?
hot/cold beverages and smoking can increase or decrease T
smoking, caffiene, lots of alcohol can increase BP
how do hormones affect VS?
ovulation can change T
the thyroid hormone can cause an increase in T and P
how does the circadian rhythm affect VS?
T and BP can fluctuate throughout the day
what changes do you note when taking VS?
positive and negative changes
ANY CHANGE
what do you do if there is a change in VS?
inform clinical instructor and buddy nurse
take the VS again
what is the average T?
36-38 C
what are the 7 ways to take T? What are the average T taken for each type?
oral - 37
axillary - 36.5
temporal - 37
tympanic -37
rectal - 37.5
skin tape
non contact
how do you check someones core T? what is the average core T?
through the pulmonary artery
36.5-37.5
when is oral T an appropriate route?
haven’t eaten, drank, smoked in 30 mins
not after oral surgery
not if PT is uncooperative/unconscious
when is it axillary T an appropriate route?
children, newborns
not after bathing
not if septic
not if sweating excessively
not after surgery
when is temporal T an appropriate route?
when you need something fast and noninvasive
not if theres excessive scar tissue or abrasions
when is tympanic T an appropriate route?
most prone to inaccurate readings and most room for error
very fast
when is rectal T an appropriate route?
rarely used
accurate but inconvenient
not with children as rectal tissue is soft
when is non contact T an appropriate route?
quick and contactless
good for COVID-19 screening
when is the true core T an appropriate route?
the T of the vital organs
most accurate but the most invasive and inconvenient
only used for critical care
what is pyrexia?
fever
when heat-loss mechanisms can’t keep up and produces excess heat
what is thermoregulation?
process that allows body to maintain its internal core T
