Vital Signs

Question 1

Definition of vital signs

Answer 1

Measurements of the body’s most basic functions

Question 2

4 main vital signs

Answer 2

Pulse
Temperature
Respiration rate
Blood pressure

Question 3

Why check vital signs?

Answer 3

Assess general physical health, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress towards recovery.

Question 4

What is the normal range of a person’s vital signs?

Answer 4

Different for each person, dependent on age, weight, gender, and overall health

Question 5

Pulse rate is a key indicator of

Answer 5

Cardiovascular function

Question 6

Temperature is a key indicator of

Answer 6

Inflammation or infection

Question 7

Respiration rate is a key indicator of

Answer 7

Pulmonary function

Question 8

Blood pressure is a key indicator of

Answer 8

Cardiovascular function

Question 9

What does pulse rate measure?

Answer 9

The surge of arterial blood that occurs with each contraction of the heart muscle

Question 10

Pulse measurement is char actives by 4 things

Answer 10

Rate
Rhythm
Force
Quality

Question 11

What is a normal pulse rate?

Answer 11

60-100 bpm

Question 12

Examples of abnormal pulse rates

Answer 12

tachycardia and bradycardia

Question 13

When pulse rate is too fast…

Answer 13

Tachycardia

Question 14

When pulse rate is too slow….

Answer 14

Bradycardia

Question 15

Causes of Tachycardia

Answer 15

Inflammation
-fever (for every 1 deg increase, +10 bpm)
Sympathetic stimulation/parasympathetic inhibition
-fight or flight reaction, systemic diseases
Medications
-systemic or ocular
Cardiac abnormalities
-MI, CHF, atrial fibrillation

Question 16

Causes of Bradycardia

Answer 16

Parasympathetic stimulation/Sympathetic inhibition
   -systemic diseases
Medications
   -ocular
Cardiac abnormalities
   -various types of heart block

Question 17

Rhythm should be:

Answer 17

Regular. Occurring at set intervals

Question 18

Force should be:

Answer 18

Fairly consistent without significant variation (as may occur with CHF)

Question 19

Quality should be:

Answer 19

Not abnormally weak. Difficult to detect

Question 20

Blood pressure measures…

Answer 20

Vascular pressure during heartbeat and between heartbeats.

Question 21

blood pressure is recorded as:

Answer 21

Ex.

117/76 mm Hg

Question 22

What do the Blood pressure number represent?

Answer 22

Top number: systolic pressure, during heart beat

Bottom number: diastolic pressure, heart at rest

Question 23

Why be concerned about BP?

Answer 23

HBP is known as the silent killer (no symptoms)

Patients may not go to the doctor if they feel well.

Untreated hypertension may lead to other problems

Hypertension can be the cause of visual symptoms and/or ocular problems

Question 24

Untreated hyper tension can lead to…

Answer 24

Stroke
Heart attack
Kidney problems
Deatttthhhhhhhhh, oh no.

Question 25

HBP is known as the

Answer 25

Silent killer. Wow. Such terror.

Question 26

Is hypertension diagnosed with a single high BP reading? Why?

Answer 26

No, because BP can change due to simple things like posture, exercise, stress, sleep

Question 27

Normal BP for adult 20 and over

Answer 27

120/80 mm Hg

Question 28

What is sphygmomanometry?

Answer 28

Measuring BP

Question 29

Proper procedure of measuring BP

Answer 29

Allow pt to sit quietly before measuring Place cuff of appropriate size around bared upper arm and inflate Slowly deflate cuff while using stethoscope on brachial artery in antecubital space to listen for sounds

Question 30

What to do if abnormal reading

Answer 30

Recheck abnormal finding. Prehypertension may be referred to PCP or reevaluated within a month of 2 Hypertension should be referred appropriately (dependent on severity)

Question 31

What is one full respiratory cycle?

Answer 31

Inspiration and expiration

Question 32

What is the normal rate for respiration in adults?

Answer 32

12-18 breaths per minute

Question 33

Assessed quality of respiration

Answer 33

Should be easy and regular Labored and irregular is abnormal

Question 34

What is Dyspnea?

Answer 34

Shortness of breath

Question 35

What does respiration have to do with eye care?

Answer 35

Although not routinely measured at OD, may imply glaucoma (due to meds/COPD?)

Question 36

Normal body temp

Answer 36

97.8 to 99 degF

Question 37

Temperate and eye care

Answer 37

Ex. Differentiating the cause of red eye