Vital Signs and Temperature

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of inspiration in respiration?

Balancing gas concentrations in tissues

Relaxation of respiratory muscles

Exhaling carbon dioxide from the body

Inhaling oxygen into the body (correct)

Which of the following factors is NOT typically associated with an increased respiration rate?

Fever

Stress

Exercise

Calm relaxation (correct)

What mechanism occurs during expiration in the respiratory process?

Contraction of inspiratory muscles

Air flows into the lungs

Increased air pressure in the lungs

Recoil of lungs occurs (correct)

What is the normal rate of respiration for an adult?

12-20 breaths per minute Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of external respiration?

Taking in oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes bradypnea?

A rate below 12 breaths per minute Signup and view all the answers

Which respiratory center is primarily responsible for regulating breathing?

Medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

What role does diffusion play in internal respiration?

Exchange of gases between blood and body cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is likely to decrease the respiration rate?

Rest and sleep Signup and view all the answers

What respiratory condition is characterized by a rate below 12 breaths per minute?

Bradypnea Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement method is commonly used to assess the pulse?

Palpation Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for an adult's resting pulse rate?

60 - 100 bpm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is least likely to increase pulse rate?

Taking a nap Signup and view all the answers

What does a pulse deficit indicate?

A discrepancy between apical and radial pulse Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to decrease pulse rate?

Calmness Signup and view all the answers

What condition describes temporary cessation of breathing?

Apnea Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of vital signs?

To monitor body function and reflect changes Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the body is primarily responsible for thermoregulation?

Hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

Which type of body temperature is measured in the deep tissues?

Core temperature Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the transfer of heat from one object to another without direct contact?

Radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which method of measuring body temperature is generally considered the most accurate?

Rectal measurement Signup and view all the answers

What factor can increase heat production in the body?

Muscle activity Signup and view all the answers

At what normal temperature range is an adult considered to have a stable body temperature?

36.4 – 37.2 C Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions can help to decrease heat loss by radiation?

Wearing wool and dark clothing Signup and view all the answers

What effect does reduced elasticity of vessel walls have on blood flow?

It increases resistance to blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is associated with an increase in blood pressure?

Aging and decreased elasticity of blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What categorization of blood pressure is defined by a systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80?

Normal blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is likely to result in lower blood pressure?

Fasting. Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle factor is unlikely to contribute to an increase in blood pressure?

Regular exercise. Signup and view all the answers

What is systolic blood pressure?

The maximum pressure during the contraction of the ventricles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT affect blood pressure?

Body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What does pulse pressure represent?

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal value for diastolic blood pressure?

Less than 80 mmHg Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of the heartbeat corresponds with the measurement of diastolic blood pressure?

When the ventricles are filling with blood Signup and view all the answers

The normal adult blood pressure is classified as being less than what value?

120/80 mmHg Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the contraction of the left ventricle regarding blood pressure?

Systolic pressure is generated Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines blood pressure?

The force that blood exerts against the walls of blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes an increase in blood pressure?

Increased cardiac output Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct way to calculate cardiac output?

Heart rate times stroke volume Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can lead to reduced compliance in blood vessels?

Stiffening of arteries due to vascular disease Signup and view all the answers

What effect does an increased hematocrit have on blood pressure?

Increases blood viscosity and raises blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

How does blood viscosity affect the heart's workload?

Increased viscosity means the heart must contract more forcefully Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical circulating blood volume in adults?

5000 - 6000 ml Signup and view all the answers

Which vessel type is typically more compliant, allowing it to hold more blood?

Veins Signup and view all the answers

What occurs as circulating blood volume increases?

Blood pressure rises due to increased pressure against arterial walls Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vital Signs

Vital signs are cardinal signs, including temperature (T), pulse (P), respiration (R), and blood pressure (BP).
Vital signs monitor body function and reflect any changes in those functions.
Baseline information gleaned from vital signs helps in creating a care plan.
Individual variations exist in vital signs.

Temperature

Temperature is the body's heat degree and the balance between heat production and loss.
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature.
Heat production factors include basal metabolism, muscle activity, thyroid hormones, food ingestion, sympathetic stimulation, clothing and sun exposure.
Heat loss occurs through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.
Core temperature refers to the deeper body tissues (cranium, thorax, abdomen, pelvis) measured using a thermometer.
Surface (shell) temperature refers to the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fat and is measured by touching the skin.
Normal body temperature ranges from 36.4°C to 37.2°C.

Measuring Body Temperature

Common measurement sites include orally, axillary, and rectally.
Oral temperature measurement duration is 3 minutes.
Axillary temperature measurement duration is 5 minutes.
Rectal temperature measurement duration is 1 minute.
Contraindications for oral temperature measurement include infants, small children, individuals unable to control oral muscles (e.g. shivering, unconsciousness), patients receiving oral oxygen therapy, and people with mouth or nasal surgery/operations to avoid close-the breathing pass way.
Contraindications for axillary temperature measurement include patients with tremors, skin diseases, and burns.
Contraindications for rectal temperature measurement include diarrhea, rectal disease or surgery, diseases transmittable through stool, and heart disease patients.

Temperature Alterations

Pyrexia (fever) is high temperature above the normal range.
Hyperthermia refers to abnormally high temperatures.
Hypothermia refers to abnormally low body temperatures.

Signs and Symptoms of Fever

Symptoms of fever include a one-degree Celsius increase in temperature, pulse and respiration rate of 4 breaths per minute, constipation, flushed face, dry mouth and bitter taste, loss of appetite, shivering, cold peripherally, thirst, headache, drowsiness, and perspiration.

Nursing Care of Patients with Fever

Nursing care for patients with fever includes increasing fluid intake to 3 liters per day, monitoring fluid balance, providing cold drinks, frequent mouth washes, bath or shower, creating a well-ventilated and quiet environment, decreasing covers, monitoring temperature every 15 minutes in the first hour and every 30 minutes in the second hour, and then every hour, providing cold compresses, reporting to the doctor, administering antipyretics as per doctor's orders, and adjusting diet with increased protein and electrolytes.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

Factors increasing body temperature include food metabolism, prolonged smoking, shivering, infectious illnesses, food ingestion, hormonal secretion, increased metabolism of young age, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Factors decreasing body temperature include decreased metabolism of old age, diseases (e.g. poisoning and bleeding), fasting, low vitality, exposure to extreme temperatures, and increased intake of cold fluids.
Body temperature is lowest early morning and highest during early afternoon or early evening.

Respiration

Respiration is the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between a living organism and its environment.
Inspiration is the act of breathing in.
Expiration is the act of breathing out.
External respiration is the exchange of gases in the lungs.
Internal respiration is the exchange of gases in tissues.

Nature of Respiration

Breathing is automatic and noiseless and is regular, without effort.
The major respiratory center is the medulla oblongata in the brain.
Breathing can be either voluntary or involuntary.
Normal respiratory rate for adults is 12-20 breaths per minute.

Mechanism of Respiration

The respiratory cycle involves inspiration (contraction of intercostal and diaphragm muscles, chest expansion, and air entering the lungs), expiration (relaxation of these muscles, lung recoil, and air leaving the lungs), and a pause.

Diffusion of Gases

Gases move from higher to lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.
External respiration involves taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
Internal respiration involves the exchange of gases between body cells and blood capillaries.

Characteristics of Normal Respiration

Normal respiration rate is 12 - 20 breaths per minute.
The rhythm of respiration should be regular.
The depth of respiration may be varied in a range between deep, shallow, and normal.

Factors Affecting Respiration

Factors increasing respiratory rate include age (infants), exercise, stress/anxiety/fear, pain, fever, increased carbon dioxide concentration, lung disease, heart disease, smoking, and brain injuries.
Factors decreasing respiratory rate include rest/sleep, decreased activity in old age, some analgesics (pain medications), heart diseases, and some lung diseases.

Abnormalities of Respiration

Euopnea refers to normal respiration rate based on age guidelines.
Bradypnea means a respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute.
Tachypnea means a respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute.
Apnea is a temporary cessation or complete absence of breathing.
Dyspnea is difficulty in breathing.
Orthopnea means difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Pulse

The pulse is the palpable bounding of blood flow resulting from left ventricular contraction, indicating circulatory status.
Pulse measurement methods are palpation (using fingers) and auscultation (listening to heart sounds with a stethoscope).
Pulse sites for measurement include temporal, carotid, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial.
Normal pulse rate for adults is 60 - 100 beats per minute.
Pulse rhythm should be regular unless otherwise specified.
Pulse strength/volume is classified as bounding (+3), normal (+2), weak (+1), and absent (0).
Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical pulse and radial pulse, ideally 5 - 10 beats per minute.

Factors Affecting Pulse Rate

Factors increasing pulse rate include exercise, female gender, young age, emotions (fear, anger, stress), standing/upright position, metabolism (during eating), pain, caffeine, fever, bleeding/decrease blood pressure, and some medications.
Factors decreasing pulse rate include calmness, rest/sleep, fasting, increasing age, some medications (e.g. digitalis), parasympathetic stimulation and/or some diseases.

Blood Pressure

The heart generates pressure during the cardiac cycle to perfuse organs with blood.
Blood flows from heart to arteries to capillaries to veins and back to the heart.
Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against blood vessel walls. This occurs due to the contraction of the left ventricle.

Physiology of Blood Pressure

During ventricular contraction (systole), maximum pressure exerted against the arterial walls is known as systolic blood pressure.
During ventricular relaxation (diastole), minimum pressure exerted is called diastolic blood pressure.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers (systolic/diastolic) in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Factors increasing blood pressure include age, sympathetic response (anxiety, stress, pain), exercise, posture (standing vs. lying down), diet (high salt/fat foods), alcohol and smoking, and certain diseases (e.g. renal, cardiac).
Factors decreasing blood pressure include fasting, lower temperatures, some medications (e.g. diuretics, analgesics, antihypertensives), some diseases (e.g., anemia, bleeding, shock).

Blood Pressure Categories and Abnormalities

The American Heart Association categorizes blood pressure as normal, elevated, stage 1 and stage 2 high blood pressure.
Normal BP is less than 120/80 mmHg.
Elevated BP is 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic.
Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic.
Stage 2 hypertension is 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic.
Hypertension is high blood pressure, and hypotension is low blood pressure.
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when changing from a lying to a standing position

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on vital signs, their importance, and how temperature is regulated in the body. This quiz covers the basics of temperature measurement, factors affecting temperature, and variations in vital signs. Perfect for healthcare students or anyone interested in understanding body functions.