Moss monitoring vitals + devices + pt assessment

Mucous Membranes

• Pale, white, muddy mucous membranes may indicate poor perfusion or shock.
• Hyper red mucous membranes suggest hyperemia or systemic infection.
• Cherry red mucous membranes can indicate carbon monoxide poisoning or methemoglobinemia.
• Cyanotic mucous membranes indicate inadequate oxygenation (hypoxia).
• Icteric mucous membranes suggest liver disease or hemolytic anemia.
• Brown mucous membranes in a cat might indicate methemoglobinemia.

Monitoring Devices

• A catheter-based monitoring device detects and amplifies heart sounds.
• An external monitor measures blood oxygen saturation levels and heart rate.
• A device that measures only systolic blood pressure detects flow sounds.
• Equipment that monitors systolic, diastolic arterial pressure, and mean arterial pressure is crucial for hemodynamic assessment.
• End tidal CO2 indicates the adequacy of ventilation and CO2 elimination.

Body Systems and Parameters

• The four major body systems to monitor include cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and renal systems.
• Cardiovascular system parameters include heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and perfusion.

Clinical Monitoring Metrics

• Normal mucous membrane color is pink.
• Capillary refill time (CRT) can be lengthened by vasoconstriction and shortened by vasodilation.
• Shortened CRT may be caused by shock or hyperthermia; lengthened CRT can result from hypovolemia or poor perfusion.

Pulse Evaluation

• Pulse can be evaluated at various sites, including the femoral, radial, or carotid arteries.
• Inability to palpate a pulse may indicate severe cardiovascular compromise.
• The dorsal pedal artery is best for assessing pulse in patients with normal blood flow, especially in anesthetized or critically ill patients.
• A pulse that lacks fullness is termed weak; an abnormally strong pulse is termed bounding.
• An abnormal or absent pulse may indicate shock or significant blood loss.

Heart Rate

• Normal heart rate for dogs is typically 60-160 bpm, depending on size and breed.
• Normal heart rate in cats generally ranges from 120-240 bpm.
• Cardiac output refers to the volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute.
• Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected per heartbeat.

Compensation and Respiratory Patterns

• A compensatory mechanism for decreased stroke volume includes increased heart rate to maintain cardiac output.
• Causes of tachycardia can include pain, anxiety, or hypovolemia.
• Decreased respiratory rate may result from neurologic conditions or sedation.
• Increased respiratory rate can be caused by pain, fever, or respiratory distress.

Clinical Signs and Conditions

• Clinical signs of respiratory problems include labored breathing, coughing, or abnormal sounds.
• Conditions that should be monitored closely include heart disease, pulmonary disease, and shock.
• Oxygen saturation below 95% indicates hypoxemia and requires intervention.

Advanced Monitoring

• Electrocardiography visualizes heart rhythm post-examination.
• The hallmark of a good veterinary nurse is the ability to recognize abnormalities and respond promptly.
• Terms like "tissue oxygenation" refer to the adequacy of oxygen delivery to tissues.
• Pulse quality tied to significant tachycardia is often weak or thready.
• Decreased circulating blood volume implies hypovolemia and must be addressed.

Respiratory Sounds

• Dehydration can cause changes in vital signs and mucus membranes.
• Abnormal lung sounds such as crackles indicate inflammation or infection; dry crackles suggest inflammation of the airways.
• Rapid shallow breathing can result from pain or anxiety.
• A labored pattern of respiration and expiration often leads to decreased ventilation efficiency.
• Muffled lung sounds may indicate pleural effusion or lung consolidation.

taken from power point and moss quizlet