Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

P&A midterm > Vital signs > Flashcards

Vital signs Flashcards

(67 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the vital signs?

A 
Temperature
Pulse
Respirations
Blood Pressure
Pain
Pulse ox
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When do you measure vital signs?

A 
Inpatient settings
Upon admission
Evaluation of treatment
Establish baseline
Monitor trends
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the average temp range for adults?

A

36.5-37.5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the average oral temp?

A

98.6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Rectal temps may be …

A

1 degree higher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Axillary temps may be …

A

1 degree lower

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What routes can you take a temp?

A

Mouth, rectum, ear, forehead, axilla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Elderly generally have …

A

Lower temps

36-36.8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does the body respond to decreased temperature?

A

Vasoconstriction

Shivering is vasoconstriction is ineffective

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How does the temp respond to increased body temp?

A

Vasodilation

Sweating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Factors affecting body temp

A 
Age
Exercise
Hormones
Circadian rhythm
Stress
Environment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Pyrexia

A

Fever
Defense mechanism
Results when heat-loss mechanisms are unable to keep pace with excessive heat production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Methods of heat loss

A

Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Radiation

A

Transfer of heat from one surface to another without actual contact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Conduction

A

Transfer of heat from the body to another surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Convection

A

Dispersion of heat by air currents (wind blowing across exposed skin - fan)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Evaporation

A

Heat loss through water vapor (diaphoresis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

At what point does the body hit an abnormally elevated body temp?

A

102.2/39

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How to deal with pyrexia

A

Antipyretics (no Aspirin for kids - causes Rye syndrome in kids)
Cooling blanket
Encourage liquids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Hypothermia

A

Temp <95/35

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Nursing interventions for hypothermia

A 
Remove wet clothes
Blankets
Warm liquids
Increase room temp
Warmed IV fluids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is pulse an indirect measure of?

A

Cardio output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How to measure pulse?

A

Count for 30 second then multiply by 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

When giving a beta blocker, how should one take a HR?

A

Apically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is a bounding pulse?
Fingers bounce when feeling for pulse | Hypervolemic
26
What is a normal pulse?
60-100/min
27
What is tachycardia? | What is bradycardia?
>100/min in adults | <60/min in adults
28
What is the average BPM for infants?
120-160, decreases as child ages
29
What is the average BPM for a 14 year old?
60-90
30
Grades of pulse
``` 4+ bounding 3+ full or strong 2+ normal and expected 1+ diminished or barely palpable 0 absent ```
31
What factors affect HR?
``` Conditioning Medications Fever increases; hypothermia decreases Acute pain and anxiety Severe pain decreases rate Deficient fluid increases rate ```
32
What is HR a compensatory mechanism for?
BP
33
What is the sex difference in breathing character?
Women tend to be chest breathers | Men tend to be diaphragmatic breathers
34
What is the average respiratory rate for newborns?
35-40/min
35
What is the average respiratory rate for infants?
30-50/min
36
What is the average respiratory rate for school age children?
20/30/min
37
What is the average respiratory rate for adolescents?
16-20/min
38
What is the average respiratory rate for adults?
12-20
39
What is bradypnea?
RR <12/min
40
What is tachypnea?
RR >20/min
41
What is hyperpnea?
RR >20/min and deep, labored
42
What is apnea?
No breathing
43
What is hyperventilation?
Breathing fast and blowing off all CO2
44
What is hypoventilation?
Breathing slowly and holding on to CO2
45
What is Cheyne-Strokes breathing?
Rate and depth are irregular, alternating apnea/hyperventilation
46
What is Kussmaul breathing?
Abnormal deep, regular, increased rate | Seen in people with DKA
47
What is dyspnea?
Difficulty breathing
48
What is pulse oximetry?
Measurement of O2 sat in blood
49
What is the normal pulse ox value? What is the acceptable range of values? What range indicates an emergency?
95-100% >93% <90%
50
What is systolic BP
Heart at work
51
What is diastolic BP
Heart at rest
52
What is a Karotkoff sound?
Sounds during BP
53
What are the characteristics of BP for adults?
<120/<80 - normal 120-139 or 80-89 - preHTN 140-159 or 90-99 stage 1 HTN >160 or >100 stage 2 HTN
54
What is the average optimal BP for a 1 month old?
85/54
55
What is the average optimal BP for a 1 year old?
95/65
56
What is the average optimal BP for a 6 year old?
105/65
57
What is the average optimal BP for a 10-13 year old?
110/65
58
What is the average optimal BP for a 14-17 year old?
119/75
59
What factors affect BP?
``` Age Stress/anxiety/pain Ethnicity Time of day (higher at night) Medications Activity and weight Smoke/caffeine ```
60
What happens to BP as one ages?
Vessels harden and lose elasticity, so pressure increases
61
What is hypotension?
BP below normal (systolic <90)
62
Hypertension vs. Hypotension
Thickening of walls Loss of elasticity Family history Risk factors (envmt, stress, diet) ``` <90 dilation of arteries loss of blood volume decrease of blood flow to vital organs orthostatic ```
63
What are risk factors for HTN?
``` Family history Excessive sodium intake Physical inactivity Obesity Heavy alcohol consumption African American Hyperlipidemia Stress ```
64
If arm contains ___, do not take
``` IV AV fistula Post mastectomy Cast Hand trauma ```
65
What is orthostatic hypotension and what are associated symptoms?
Lowering of BP when a pt rises to an upright position Dizziness Syncope
66
Who get orthostatic hypotension?
Anemic, dehydrated, elderly, medication side effects, fluid depletion
67
What is the 5th vital sign?
Pain | Rate 0-10

P&A midterm (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions