Vital Signs - Chapter 6

Question 1

Cyanosis

Answer 1

A condition in which blood does not supply enough oxygen to the body, causing a bluish tone to the lips and fingertips

Question 2

Diastolic

Answer 2

The blood pressure reading that occurs during the relaxation of the ventricles

Question 3

Dyspnea

Answer 3

Difficult breathing resulting from insufficient airflow to the lungs

Question 4

Hypercapnia

Answer 4

Carbon dioxide being retained in the arterial blood

Question 5

Hypoxemia

Answer 5

Low levels of oxygen in the blood

Question 6

Korotkoff Sounds

Answer 6

Extraneous sounds heard during the taking of BP and may be a tapping, knocking, or swishing sound

Question 7

Sphygmomanometer

Answer 7

A blood pressure cuff

Question 8

Systolic

Answer 8

The blood pressure reading taken during the contraction of the ventricles while the blood is in the arteries

Question 9

Tympanic

Answer 9

Bell-like; resonance pertaining to tympanum

Question 10

Vital signs

Answer 10

Assessments of the patient’s blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration

Question 11

Volatile

Answer 11

Easily vaporized or evaporated; unstable or explosive in nature

Question 12

Body Temperature is

Answer 12

The physiologic balance between heat produced in body tissues and heat lost to the environment

Question 13

Pyrexia

Answer 13

Fever

Question 14

As body temperature increases,

Answer 14

The body’s demand for oxygen increases

Question 15

_____ thermometers provide a reading close to the core body temperature, but _____ readings are considered the most reliable due to close proximity to the core

Answer 15

Tympanic; rectal

Question 16

Apical pulse

Answer 16

Over the apex of the heart (heard with a stethoscope)

Question 17

Popliteal pulse

Answer 17

At the posterior surface of the knee

Question 18

Posterior tibial pulse

Answer 18

On the inner side of the ankles

Question 19

Brachial pulse

Answer 19

In the groove between the biceps and the triceps above the elbow

Question 20

A patient who is losing blood has

Answer 20

An unusually rapid pulse and a very low BP

Question 21

Normal pulse rate of an adult

Answer 21

60-90 BPM

Question 22

Tachycardia

Answer 22

Rapid heart rate; over 100 beats per min

Question 23

Bradycardia

Answer 23

Slow heart rate; below 60 beats per min

Question 24

Which pulse site is most accessible?

Answer 24

The radial pulse

Question 25

If the radial pulse is inaccessible, take the

Answer 25

Apical pulse

Question 26

For infants and children, what pulse is more accurate for cardiovascular assessment?

Answer 26

Apical

Question 27

Which pulses are often monitored during special diagnostic imaging procedures to ascertain the patient’s circulatory status in the lower extremities is satisfactory?

Answer 27

Pedal, popliteal, and femoral. Not always counted but strength is assessed

Question 28

Blood Pressure is

Answer 28

The amount of blood flow ejected from the left ventricle of the heart during systole and the amount of resistance the blood meets due to systemic vascular resistance

Question 29

Blood pressure normally varies with

Answer 29

Age, gender, physical development, body position, time of day, and health status

Question 30

As a person ages, blood pressure

Answer 30

Increases as the body systems that control it deteriorate

Question 31

Physiologic factors that may increase BP

Answer 31

Increased cardiac output, increased peripheral vascular resistance, increased blood volume, increased blood viscosity, and decreased arterial elasticity

Question 32

Pulse pressure is

Answer 32

The difference between the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure and is an indicator of the stroke volume of the heart

Question 33

Two types of sphygmomanometers

Answer 33

A mercury manometer and aneroid manometer

Question 34

Mercury manometers are

Answer 34

More accurate but less convenient to use

Question 35

A BP reading of 120/80/60 is recording

Answer 35

Korotkoff sounds (60)

Question 36

A pulse oximeter is frequently used to

Answer 36

Monitor the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2)

Question 37

Normal SaO2 levels

Answer 37

95%-100%. Values less than 85% indicate that the tissues are not receiving adequate oxygen

Question 38

Blood Pressue should be taken

Answer 38

On the left arm above the brachial artery

Question 39

Oxygen tents are used when

Answer 39

There is a need for humidity and a higher concentration of oxygen than is present in the natural environment of the patient (peds)