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Fundamentals Of Nursing > Vital Signs > Flashcards

Vital Signs Flashcards

(46 cards)

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0
Q

Bounding visible pulse may mean

A

There is a blockage or back up

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1
Q

Cardiac function

A

Volume of blood pumped by the heart per min

co = HRx SV

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2
Q

Normal blood volume (adult)

A

~5000 ml

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3
Q

Peripheral vascular resistance

A

Arterial and capillary resistance to blood flow as a result of friction between blood and vessel walls ( Brooklyn tunnel = congestion )

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4
Q

3 physiological factors that effect Bp function

A

Cardiac function
Normal blood volume
Peripheral vascular resistance

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5
Q

Orthostatic blood pressure

A

A drop in systolic Bp of 20mmhg or more or in diastolic a drop of 10 might or more, within three minutes of standing

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6
Q

Why would a person feel faint or weakness when rising to an erect position

A

Orthostatic hypotension

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7
Q

Hypotension

A

A below normal blood pressure

Most cases are a result of pathology of the arterioles. Failure of the heart to function as an effective pump, or loss of blood volume

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8
Q

Hypertension

A

When systolic is 140 mmhg or higher or diastolic 90 mmhg or higher

Major risk factor for heart disease and the most important risk factor associated with stroke.

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9
Q

Baroreceptors

A

When you change positions, they tell brain to increase Bp. Problems with these is risk for ortho hypotension

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10
Q

Factors contributing to blood pressure

A

Age- older adult has decreased elasticity of the arteries which increases peripheral resistance and increases Bp
Circadian rhythm-normal fluctuations occur during the day (night shift)
Gender-women usually have lower Bp than men of the same age until menopause
Food intake- increases after eating
Exercise- systolic rises during strenuous activity
Weight- usually higher in obese
Emotional state- anger,fear, excitement, and pain make it rise
Body position- tends to be lower in a prone or supine position than when sitting or standing
Race- hypertension more in African Americans
Drugs/meds- oral contraceptives cause a mild increase in many women

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11
Q

What is blood pressure

A

The force of the moving blood against arterial walls. Blood pressure is exerted on walls when left ventricle contracts (systole), the pressure when the ventricle relaxes (diastole)

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12
Q

Pulse pressure

A

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures

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13
Q

What unit is Bp measured in?

A

Millimeters of mercury (mmhg)

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14
Q

A febrile

A

A condition in which the body temp is not elevated

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15
Q

Apnea

A

Absence of breathing

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16
Q

Bradycardia

A

Slow heart rate

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17
Q

Dyspnea

A

Difficult of labored breathing

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18
Q

Dysrhythmia

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A

An abnormal cardiac rhythm

19
Q

Eupnea

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A

Normal respirations

20
Q

Febrile

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A

Condition in which body temp is elevated

21
Q

Fever

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A

Elevation above the upper limit of normal body temp

Synonymous for pyrexia

22
Q

Hyperthermia

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A

High body temp

23
Q

Hypothermia

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A

Low body temp

24
Korotkoff sounds
Series of sounds that correspond to changes in blood flow through by an artery as pressure is released
25
Orthopnea
Type of dyspnea in which breathing is easier when the patient sits or stands
26
Pulse
Wave produced in the wall of an artery with each beat of the heart
27
Pulse deficit
Difference between apical and radial pulse rates
28
Respiration
Gas exchange between the atmospheric air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries
29
Tachycardia
Rapid heart rate
30
Tachypnea
Rapid rate of breathing
31
Vital signs
Body temp, pulse, respiratory rates,and blood pressure, Pain could be fifth sign Synonymous for Cardinal signs
32
When to do vital signs
Upon admission, institutional policy (every 4 hrs in hospital),change in patients condition, loss of consciousness, before and after any surgical or invasive diagnostic procedure, before and after activity that may increase risk such as ambulation after surgery, before giving meds that affect the cardiovascular and respiratory function
33
Temperature
The difference between the amount of heat produced by the body and the amount of heat lost to the environment measured in degrees. Normal range 36.0 - 37.5 cel or 97.0-99 F Core temp will be lowest early in morning and highest in the late afternoon
34
Core temp measured:
Tympanic, rectal, or more invasive procedures through bladder,esophagus, or pulmonary artery
35
Surface temp measured
Oral(sublingual), auxiliary and skin surface sites
36
Four ways of heat loss
Radiation, evaporation, convention, conduction
37
Factors affecting body temp
Circadian rhythms- lowest in early am (variation tends to be greater in infants and children) Age and gender- very old and very young, older adults lose thermoregularity control and are at larger risk for extreme temps. Children and infants temp change more rapidly. Women tend to have more fluctuations in body temp (hormones)
38
Increased body temp
Fever/pyre is- above normal body temp. Signals infection and increases immune function. May occur from cytokines produces by pyrogens or tissue damage such as MI, pulmonary embolism, cancer, trauma, surgery
39
True or false: the onset and significance of a fever from an illness differs by one age
True
40
Physical effects of fever
Loss of appetite, headache, hot dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, and fatigue. Respirations and pulse may increase, fever blisters may develop, young children may seize, elderly may have periods of delirium
41
NURSING INTERVENTION: fever treatment
Monitor temp freq. monitor Bp,p and RR Monitor intake and output Monitor for seizure activity Administer anti-pyretic meds as appropriate Administer iv fluid as appropriate Apply ice bag covered with towel to groin or Scilla
42
Neurogenic fever
Result of damage to the hypothalamus from pathologies such as intracranial trauma, bleeding, or pressure. This type of fever does not respond to antipyretic meds
43
FUO
a fever of 38.3 c or 101f or higher that lasts for three weeks or lingers without an identified cause is fever of unknown origin
44
Temperature rising mechanisms
Shivering, polo erection, vasoconstriction, and increase metabolism
45
Methods of reducing fever
Different cause different ways to reduce Bacterial infection- antibiotics

Fundamentals Of Nursing (2 decks)

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