Vitals Flashcards
(28 cards)
Conduction
The transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact
Ex: occurs when a person touches or lies on a colder object such as and infant being placed on a cold metal scale after birth
Convection
The loss of heat due to the movement of air across the person
Ex: modern air conditioning vents that direct cool air into a room may do this
Radiation
the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another
Evaporation
The transfer of heat when a liquid on the body is changed to a gas
Ex: the person who receives a bed bath without being properly dried
Oral site method
Most frequently and commonly used.
Used if the person is able to keep the thermometer safely in place for the required length of time
Axillary site method
May be used when the oral route cannot be used
Add one degree, document using “Ax”
Tympanic site method
Quick and accurate site for core temperatures
Frequently used with children and in clinics and offices
Add one degree, document using “T”
Rectal site method
Provides accurate information of core temperature
Subtract one degree, document using “R”
Least preferred, rectal site would not be chosen if there was a recent rectal surgery or rectal abscesses
Continuous or sustained fever
fever with persistent elevation that lasts over 24 hours
Intermittent Fever
will have normal readings with spikes of fever interspersed between normal readings
Remittent fever
will have rises and falls as the intermittent fever, but the lower readings will not return to normal ranges
Conversion of Temperature
C=(F-32)x 5/9
F=(9/5 x C) + 32
pulse
palpation of the wave of blood flow as it is ejected from the heart with contraction
Four main qualities of pulse assessment
rate, rhythm, strength, location
rate(pulse)
normal range is 60-100 beats per minutes bradycardia: less than 60 tachycardia: more than 60 toddler: 90-140 preschooler: 80-110 School aged: 75-100 Adolescent: 60-90
rhythm
interval between each beat, which should be regular
strength
refers to the force of the wave of blood ejected from the heart, which is expected to be approx the same force with each beat
location
pulse sites are those points located throughout the body where the pulse may be palpated
apical and brachial are recommended for infants and young children
pulse deficit
exists when the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse; should be reported to the health care provider
factors affecting pulse rate
exercise: increase fever and heat: increase need for oxygen: increase medications: either increase or decrease acute loss of blood: increase
respirations
allows the body to bring in needed oxygen and give off the waste product carbon dioxide
rate(respirations)
12-20 per minute
bradypnea: less than 12
tachypnea: greater than 20
oxygen saturation
used to evaluate the diffusion and perfusion of oxygen in tissue
normal saturation: 95%-100%
Blood Pressure
the force exerted on the walls of an artery by the pulsating blood under pressure from the heart
BP=COxPVR Cardiac Output(CO)= Heart rate(HR) x Stroke Volume(SV)
