Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of these is not a vital sign?
Which of these is not a vital sign?
- Pulse rate
- Respiration rate
- Blood glucose level (correct)
- Body temperature
Where can vital signs be measured?
Where can vital signs be measured?
- In a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere (correct)
- Only in hospitals
- Only at home
- Only at the site of medical emergencies
What is the normal body temperature range for a healthy adult?
What is the normal body temperature range for a healthy adult?
- 98.6°F to 100°F
- 96.4°F to 97.8°F
- 97.8°F to 99°F (correct)
- 95.5°F to 98.3°F
Which of these factors can affect normal body temperature?
Which of these factors can affect normal body temperature?
What is a common use of vital signs?
What is a common use of vital signs?
What is the primary deformity seen in clubbing?
What is the primary deformity seen in clubbing?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic criterion of clubbing?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic criterion of clubbing?
Which condition is NOT a cause of clubbing?
Which condition is NOT a cause of clubbing?
What defines oedema?
What defines oedema?
Which is NOT a type of oedema?
Which is NOT a type of oedema?
What is a cardinal sign of oedema on examination?
What is a cardinal sign of oedema on examination?
Which method of measuring body temperature typically shows a reading that is 0.5 degrees C higher than an oral reading?
Which method of measuring body temperature typically shows a reading that is 0.5 degrees C higher than an oral reading?
Which method of measuring body temperature tends to show the lowest readings compared to oral temperatures?
Which method of measuring body temperature tends to show the lowest readings compared to oral temperatures?
What type of thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the eardrum?
What type of thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the eardrum?
What symptom might indicate rheumatoid arthritis in a joint?
What symptom might indicate rheumatoid arthritis in a joint?
What devices can be used to take an oral temperature?
What devices can be used to take an oral temperature?
Which condition could cause wasting of the thenar muscle?
Which condition could cause wasting of the thenar muscle?
What is the relationship between axillary and oral temperature readings?
What is the relationship between axillary and oral temperature readings?
Which method is NOT typically used to examine the thyroid gland?
Which method is NOT typically used to examine the thyroid gland?
What causes jaundice?
What causes jaundice?
Where is jaundice commonly examined?
Where is jaundice commonly examined?
Which of the following is NOT a type of jaundice?
Which of the following is NOT a type of jaundice?
What is a common cause of anemia?
What is a common cause of anemia?
Where can anemia be examined?
Where can anemia be examined?
What is pallor often associated with, aside from anemia?
What is pallor often associated with, aside from anemia?
What indicates central cyanosis?
What indicates central cyanosis?
What level of deoxygenated hemoglobin causes cyanosis?
What level of deoxygenated hemoglobin causes cyanosis?
What condition can cause peripheral cyanosis?
What condition can cause peripheral cyanosis?
What body temperature (in Fahrenheit) is considered hypothermia?
What body temperature (in Fahrenheit) is considered hypothermia?
The normal pulse rate for healthy adults ranges from:
The normal pulse rate for healthy adults ranges from:
Which of the following can cause the pulse rate to increase?
Which of the following can cause the pulse rate to increase?
Which gender tends to have faster heart rates from the age of 12 and older?
Which gender tends to have faster heart rates from the age of 12 and older?
What can taking a pulse not indicate?
What can taking a pulse not indicate?
What should you do if you are unsure about your pulse count result?
What should you do if you are unsure about your pulse count result?
What does the systolic pressure measure?
What does the systolic pressure measure?
What is considered normal systolic blood pressure?
What is considered normal systolic blood pressure?
Before measuring blood pressure, how long should you rest?
Before measuring blood pressure, how long should you rest?
Where should the bottom edge of the cuff be positioned when measuring blood pressure?
Where should the bottom edge of the cuff be positioned when measuring blood pressure?
What is the term for high blood pressure?
What is the term for high blood pressure?
How should the cuff be sized and wrapped?
How should the cuff be sized and wrapped?
When measuring blood pressure, what is the phase 1 sound indicative of?
When measuring blood pressure, what is the phase 1 sound indicative of?
What measurement has become common in hospitals for assessing gas exchange and oxygen carrying capacity?
What measurement has become common in hospitals for assessing gas exchange and oxygen carrying capacity?
What condition is indicated by hoarseness of voice?
What condition is indicated by hoarseness of voice?
What smell is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis?
What smell is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis?
Which gait is associated with parkinsonism?
Which gait is associated with parkinsonism?
What might cold and sweaty hands indicate?
What might cold and sweaty hands indicate?
Which condition could koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails) suggest?
Which condition could koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails) suggest?
What might large, sweaty hands suggest?
What might large, sweaty hands suggest?
What does the respiration rate measure?
What does the respiration rate measure?
Why might respiration rates increase?
Why might respiration rates increase?
What should be noted alongside respiration rate?
What should be noted alongside respiration rate?
What is the normal respiration rate range for an adult at rest?
What is the normal respiration rate range for an adult at rest?
What does blood pressure measure?
What does blood pressure measure?
What is the purpose of the physical examination?
What is the purpose of the physical examination?
What does JACCOL stand for?
What does JACCOL stand for?
What facial expression might suggest hyperthyroidism?
What facial expression might suggest hyperthyroidism?
Which of the following is part of the general observation of the patient?
Which of the following is part of the general observation of the patient?
Which facial feature is associated with Cushing syndrome?
Which facial feature is associated with Cushing syndrome?
Which condition could result in a patient showing apathy, poverty of expression and poor eye contact?
Which condition could result in a patient showing apathy, poverty of expression and poor eye contact?
Study Notes
Vital Signs
- Measurements of the body's basic functions
- Routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers
- Four main vital signs:
- Body temperature
- Pulse rate
- Respiration rate
- Blood pressure
Body Temperature
- Normal body temperature range: 97.8°F (36.5°C) to 99°F (37.2°C) for a healthy adult
- Can vary depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time of day, and menstrual cycle (for women)
Clubbing
- Deformity of the fingernails
- Characterized by four criteria:
- Loss of normal angle between nail and nail bed
- Increased nail bed fluctuation
- Increased nail curvature (in later stages)
- Increased bulk of soft tissues over the phalanges
- Caused by:
- Cardiac disease
- Respiratory diseases
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Hepatic diseases
- Familial clubbing
Oedema
- Swelling of tissues due to increased interstitial fluid
- Types of oedema:
- Generalized (due to cardiac, renal, gut, or nutritional diseases)
- Localized (due to venous or lymphatic obstruction, allergy, or inflammation)
- Postural oedema (relatively common in the lower limbs of inactive patients)
- Cardinal sign of oedema: pitting of the skin on applying firm pressure with fingers or thumb for a few seconds
Medical Examination
Joint
- Examination for swelling, pain, hotness, and limitation of movement (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Muscle
- Examination for wasting of the thenar muscle (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, debilitating diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome)
Thyroid Gland
- Examination for goiter (enlarged thyroid):
- Inspection: from the front of the neck for enlargement, symmetry, cyst, and nodules
- Palpation: from the back for size, shape, consistency, and nodules
- Percussion: for retrosternal goiter
- Auscultation: for thyroid bruit
Jaundice
- Yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes due to increased bilirubin levels
- Types of jaundice:
- Hemolytic
- Hepatocellular
- Obstructive
- Examined in the sclera, oral mucous membrane, and skin
Anemia
- Pale color of skin or conjunctiva due to decreased hemoglobin levels
- Examined in the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid, oral mucosa, gum, nail bed, and palmar creases
- Pallor may also be due to vasoconstriction, shock, or endocrine diseases
Cyanosis
- Blue coloration of lips or extremities due to increased deoxygenated hemoglobin levels
- Types of cyanosis:
- Peripheral cyanosis: seen in hands and feet due to peripheral vascular disease or peripheral vasoconstriction
- Central cyanosis: seen in lips and tongue, usually due to arterial hypoxemia (cardiac or respiratory disease)
Vital Signs Measurement
Body Temperature
- Can be taken orally, rectally, axillary, or by ear
- Rectal temperatures are usually 0.5°C higher than oral temperatures
- Axillary temperatures are usually 0.5°C lower than oral temperatures
Blood Pressure
- Two numbers are recorded:
- Systolic pressure (higher number): pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts
- Diastolic pressure (lower number): pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest
- Both pressures are recorded in mmHg (millimeters of mercury)
- Normal blood pressure:
- Less than 120 mmHg systolic pressure
- Less than 80 mmHg diastolic pressure
Pulse Rate
- Measurement of the heart rate (number of beats per minute)
- Normal pulse rate for healthy adults: 60-100 beats per minute
- Pulse rate can fluctuate with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions
- Females tend to have faster heart rates than males
- Athletes may have heart rates near 40 beats per minute
Respiration Rate
- Number of breaths per minute
- Normal respiration rate for an adult at rest: 12-16 breaths per minute
- Respiration rate can increase with fever, illness, and other medical conditions
Physical Examination
- Process by which a physician investigates the body for signs of disease
- Includes:
- General observation of the patient
- Inspection of face and body for evidence of systemic diseases
- Examination of the thyroid
- Aids in determining the correct diagnosis and devising the treatment plan
Physical Examination Includes
- General observation of the patient
- JACCOL (Jaundice, Anemia, Cyanosis, Clubbing of nails, Oedema of ankles, and Lymph nodes)
- Inspection of face and body for evidence of systemic diseases
- Examination of the thyroid
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
