Vital Signs

Question 1

What are the four main vital signs?

Answer 1

Respiratory rate (RR), pulse (HR), temperature, and blood pressure (BP).

Question 2

What temperature is considered fever?

Answer 2

38.9 C

Question 3

What is the relationship between metabolic rate and temperature?

Answer 3

An increase in temperature will increase the metabolic rate (increase O2 consumption and CO2 production, increase in RR and HR); the opposite is true for lowering the body temperature

Question 4

Define hypothermia and list some symptoms.

Answer 4

A body temperature below normal. Shivering, peripheral vasoconstriction, slow and shallow breathing.

Question 5

What is the normal respiratory rate?

Answer 5

12-20 breaths per minute

Question 6

What is the normal adult heart rate?

Answer 6

60-120 beats per minute

Question 7

Define pulsus paradoxis?

Answer 7

When the strength of the pulse decreases as the patient inhales.

Question 8

Define pulsus alternans?

Answer 8

When you can find both strong and weak pulses.

Question 9

What is the normal range of adult blood pressure?

Answer 9

systolic: 90-130
diastolic: 60-85

Question 10

What is the pulse pressure?

Answer 10

The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures. Normal difference is 35-40 mmHg

Question 11

Define hypertension.

Answer 11

A BP over 140/90 mmHg

Question 12

What are some risks of hypertension?

Answer 12

Heart, vascular, and renal disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease.

Question 13

Define hypotension.

Answer 13

A BP of less than 90/60 mmHg.

Question 14

What are some symptoms and risks of hypotension?

Answer 14

Dizziness, fainting.

Question 15

What are some causes of hypotension?

Answer 15

Left ventricular failure, blood loss, peripheral vasodilation, and orthostatic hypotension.

Question 16

What is a Karotkoff sound?

Answer 16

The sound the blood makes as it re-enters the artery after being occluded by a BP cuff, indicating the systolic pressure.

Question 17

How do you find the diastolic BP?

Answer 17

When the Karotkoff sounds cease is where the diastolic pressure is.

Question 18

How much of the arm should a BP cuff cover?

Answer 18

Approximately 2/3rds of the upper arm.

Question 19

How does pulsus paradoxis affect the BP?

Answer 19

Systolic BP will decrease more than 10mmHg during inhalation.

Question 20

Define bradypnea and list some causes.

Answer 20

Slower than normal breathing.

Question 21

Define tachypnea.

Answer 21

Faster than normal breathing.

Question 22

Define hypotension.

Answer 22

Low blood pressure.

Question 23

Define eupnea

Answer 23

Normal rate and depth of breathing.

Question 24

Define hypopnea.

Answer 24

Decreased depth of breathing.

Question 25

Define hypopnea.

Answer 25

Increased depth of breathing.