Vital Signs Flashcards
(41 cards)
Purpose
- to obtain baseline measurement of patients vital signs
- to access patient’s response to treatments
- to monitor patient’s condition after procedure
Temperature
Heat of body measured in degrees and the diff between production of heat and loss of heat
Heat production
Thru food metabolism and activity, increased thyroxin production, and Chem thermogenesis
Heat loss
Thru Radiation- surface to surface by waves Conduction- contact between 2 surfaces Convection-movement by air currents Evaporation-water to stream Elimination-urination, defecation
Types of temp
- core temp: measured thru tympanic and rectal routes
- surface temp: measured thru oral and axillary routes
Oral
Most frequently used, convenient
Rectal
Most accurate, invasive
Axillary
Safer than oral, least accurate
Tympanic
Accessible, less invasive
Pyrexia
Elevated body temp
Hyperpyrexia
Body temp over 41 degrees c
Intermittent fever
Body temp alternates regularly
Remittent fever
Fluctuations of several degrees above normal but never reaches normal
Constant fever
Consistently elevated and fluctuates
Relapsing fever
Returns to normal for 1 day then bad again
Resolution of Pyrexia by crisis
Body temp returns to normal suddenly
Pulse
Wave of blood being pumped into the arterial circulation by the contraction of the left ventricle
Rate
Number of beats per minute
Rhythm
Pattern of beats and interval between each beat
Volume/amplitude
Amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat
Pulmonary ventilation
Breathing, movement in and out of lungs
External respiration
Exchange of O2 and co2 between alveoli and blood
Internal respiration
Exchange of O2 and co2 between blood and tissue cell
Coastal/thoracic breathing
Involves external intercoastal muscles and other accessory muscles
