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Vital Signs

Terms in this set (35)

When to measure VS
on hospital admission
for inpatients - beg of a shift
before, during, after surgery or certain procedures
to monitor effects of certain meds or activities
whenever condition changes
thermoregulation
process of maintaining stable temperature
body's thermostat
hypothalamus
receives temp input from sensory receptors in skin
how is body temp decreased?
vasodilation: increase in diameter of blood vessels - diverts core blood to body surface where heat transferred to environment
how is body temp increased?
to produce heat: shivering & epinephrine release (increases metabolism)
reduce heat loss: vasoconstriction - shunts blood to body core
philoerection also occures - but not important heat-conserving mechanism
pyrexia
fever
oral temp > 100 F (37.8C)
benefits of moderate fever
up to 103F (39.5C)
enhaces immune response by:
kills of inhibits growth of microorganisms
enhances phagocytosis
causes breakdown of lysosomes & self-destruction of virally infected cells
release of interferon - protects cells from viral infection
hyperpyrexia
fever > 105.8F (41C)
dangerous - requires intervention
hypothermia
body tem < 95F (35C)
F to C conversions
F - 32 x 5/9/ = C
C x 9/5 + 32 = F
perfusion
continuous supply of oxygenated blood thru blood vessels to all body cells
pulse
rhythmic expnsion of artery when bolus of oxygenated blood forced into it by cardiac contraction
cardiac output
total quantity of blood pumped per minute
CO = stroke volume x heart rate (pulse)
What regulates heart rate?
Autonomic nervous system:
sympathetic stimulation increases HR
parasympathetic stimulation decreases HR
what factors affect pulse
1. changes in volume of blood pumped thru the heart
2. variations in HR
3. changes in elasticity of arterial walls
4. any condition that interferes with heart function
5. impaired functioning of nervous system
peripheral pulses
1. radial: most common
2. brachial: CPR of infants
3. carotid: CPR of adults and assessing circulation to brain
4. temporal: circulation to head or when other sites not accessible
5. dorsalis pedis: circulation to feet
6. posterior tibial: circulation to legs & feet
7. femoral: circulation to legs and children
8. popliteal: circulation to lower leg
when to take apical pulse
1. radial pulse weak or irregular
2. rate <60 or >100
3. patient taking cardiac meds
4. under 3 yrs old
pulse deficit
difference between the apical and radial pulse rates
dysrhythmia
abnormal rhythyms. may be:
beat too early
beat too late
group of irregular beats that form a pattern
may need ECG assessment (electrocardiogram)
pulse volume
0: absent
1: weak (thready)
2: normal
3: full
4: bounding
Respiration
exchange of oxygen and CO2 in the body 2 aspects: mechanical & chemical
mechanical respiration
pulmonary ventilation aka breathing
active movement of air in & out of the body
chemical respiration
1. external respiration
2. gas transport
3. internal respiration
external respiration
exchange of O2 & CO2 between alveoli & pulmonary blood supply
gas transport
exchange of O2 & CO2 throughout the body
internal respiration
exchange of O2 & CO2 between capillaries and body tissue cells
eupnea
normal respirations
equal rate
equal depth
12-20 bpm
bradypnea
slow respirations
< 10bpm
tachypnea
fast respirations
>24 bpm
dyspnea
labored breathing
orthopnea
difficulty/inability to breathe in horizpntal position
Blood pressure
pressure of blood as its forced against arterial walls during cardiac contraction
systolic
peak pressure exerted as ventricles contract & eject blood
diastolic
minimum pressure exerted between cardiac contractions when heart is at rest
pulse pressure
difference between systolic & diastolic
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