Vital Signs Chapter 13 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the axillary temperature range?

98.6 - 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit

120/80 - 139/89

97.6 - 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit

96.6 - 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (correct)

What blood pressure reading is considered high?

120/80

119/79 or lower

140/90 or above (correct)

90/60

What blood pressure reading indicates low blood pressure?

110/70

90/60 or below (correct)

120/80

140/90 or above

What is considered normal blood pressure?

119/79 or lower Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal pulse rate range?

60 - 100 per minute Signup and view all the answers

What does a rectal thermometer usually indicate?

Rectal temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the medical term for severe sub-normal body temperature?

Hypothermia Signup and view all the answers

What is the average temperature of the human body?

98.6 Signup and view all the answers

Blood pressure is measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer.

True Signup and view all the answers

As long as a stethoscope is used, the placement of the blood pressure cuff on the arm does not matter.

False Signup and view all the answers

Blood pressure readings may be taken while a resident is lying down, sitting up, and standing if he has orthostatic hypotension.

True Signup and view all the answers

Why is pain sometimes referred to as the fifth vital sign?

It is just as important as the other vital signs. Signup and view all the answers

How does a person's age affect body temperature?

An older person has lost protective fatty tissue, which may cause him to feel colder. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following temperature measurement methods with their definitions:

Axillary temperature = Site for taking temperature is the armpit Tympanic temperature = Site for taking temperature is the ear Rectal temperature = Considered to be the most accurate form of taking temperature Oral temperature = Thermometer is usually color-coded green or blue Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following may be indicated if the radial pulse is less than the apical pulse?

Poor circulation to extremities Signup and view all the answers

What does the abbreviation BPM stand for?

Beats per minute Signup and view all the answers

What is bradycardia?

Slow heart rate - under 60 beats per minute Signup and view all the answers

What is tachycardia?

Rapid heart rate - over 100 beats per minute Signup and view all the answers

The absence of breathing is called ___.

apnea Signup and view all the answers

Normal respirations are referred to as ___.

eupnea Signup and view all the answers

Difficulty breathing is termed ___.

dyspnea Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vital Signs Overview

Axillary temperature ranges from 96.6 to 98.6°F.
Normal blood pressure is defined as 119/79 or lower.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is indicated by readings of 140/90 or above.
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is characterized by readings below 90/60.

Temperature Measurements

Oral temperature is normally between 97.6 to 99.6°F.
Rectal temperature ranges from 98.6 to 100.6°F and is considered the most accurate.
Temporal artery temperature ranges from 97.2 to 100.1°F using a non-invasive method.
Tympanic temperature measures from the ear, where the thermometer is inserted no more than one inch.

Pulse and Respiratory Rates

Normal pulse rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Normal respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
Tachycardia describes a rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute.
Tachypnea indicates rapid respirations of over 20 breaths per minute.

Special Conditions

Cheyne-Stokes respiration involves alternating periods of slow and rapid respirations, potentially with apnea.
Orthopnea refers to shortness of breath when lying down, relieved by sitting.
Apnea describes the absence of breathing.

Measurements and Instruments

Blood pressure is taken using a sphygmomanometer.
The top number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic pressure, while the bottom number is diastolic.
A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing is known as orthostatic hypotension.
Pulse is commonly counted at the radial pulse site.

Importance of Monitoring

Nursing assistants should report vital sign changes because nurses and doctors rely on this information for patient care decisions.
Blood pressure readings should be avoided on arms with casts or being used for dialysis.

Pain as a Vital Sign

Pain is often referred to as the fifth vital sign, emphasizing its importance similar to temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

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Description

This quiz covers essential definitions related to vital signs, including temperature readings and blood pressure categories. Test your knowledge of normal, high, and low blood pressure as well as body temperature standards. Perfect for students in health-related courses or certifications.