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Questions and Answers
A blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg is considered normal.
False
The diastolic pressure is the first number in a blood pressure reading.
False
Apnea is a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute.
False
What is the unit of measurement for respiratory rate?
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What is the term for a respiratory rate of more than 25 breaths per minute?
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What is the normal range for diastolic blood pressure?
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What is the term for blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg?
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What is the term for the stop of breathing?
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Study Notes
Vital Signs
- Vital signs measure the body's basic functions and indicate overall physical health.
- They are the first step in any medical exam or evaluation and provide clues about underlying conditions or progress toward recovery.
Body Temperature
- Measured in Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F)
- Normal range: 36.5-37.3°C (97.8-99.1°F)
- Abnormalities:
- Hyperthermia: body temperature above normal range
- Hypothermia: body temperature below normal range
- Medical terms:
- Normal body temperature
- Pyrexia (fever): 37.5-39.5°C
- Hyperpyrexia: 39.5-41°C
- Measured at:
- Oral
- Axillary (+0.5°C)
- Rectal (-0.5°C)
- Tympanic membrane
- Temporal artery
Heart Rate/Pulse
- Defined as a wave of blood created by the contraction of the left ventricle
- Measured in beats per minute (b/min)
- Characteristics:
- Rate: 60-80 b/min (normal range)
- Rhythm: regularity of beats
- Volume: strength of pulse
- Abnormalities:
- Bradycardia: less than 60 b/min
- Tachycardia: more than 80 b/min
- Sites of measurement:
Respiratory Rate
- Defined as the number of breaths taken per minute
- Measured in breaths per minute (breath/min)
- Normal range: 12-20 breath/min
- Abnormalities:
- Tachypnea: more than 25 breath/min
- Bradypnea: less than 12 breath/min
- Apnea: stop of breathing
Blood Pressure
- Defined as the measurement of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of the arteries
- Measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
- Normal range: 120/80 mmHg
- Abnormalities:
- Hypertension: 130/80 mmHg or higher
- Hypotension: 90/60 mmHg or lower
- Systolic pressure: measures pressure when the heart contracts
- Diastolic pressure: measures pressure when the heart relaxes between beats
Vital Signs
- Vital signs measure the body's basic functions and indicate overall physical health.
- They are the first step in any medical exam or evaluation and provide clues about underlying conditions or progress toward recovery.
Body Temperature
- Measured in Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F)
- Normal range: 36.5-37.3°C (97.8-99.1°F)
- Abnormalities:
- Hyperthermia: body temperature above normal range
- Hypothermia: body temperature below normal range
- Medical terms:
- Normal body temperature
- Pyrexia (fever): 37.5-39.5°C
- Hyperpyrexia: 39.5-41°C
- Measured at:
- Oral
- Axillary (+0.5°C)
- Rectal (-0.5°C)
- Tympanic membrane
- Temporal artery
Heart Rate/Pulse
- Defined as a wave of blood created by the contraction of the left ventricle
- Measured in beats per minute (b/min)
- Characteristics:
- Rate: 60-80 b/min (normal range)
- Rhythm: regularity of beats
- Volume: strength of pulse
- Abnormalities:
- Bradycardia: less than 60 b/min
- Tachycardia: more than 80 b/min
- Sites of measurement:
Respiratory Rate
- Defined as the number of breaths taken per minute
- Measured in breaths per minute (breath/min)
- Normal range: 12-20 breath/min
- Abnormalities:
- Tachypnea: more than 25 breath/min
- Bradypnea: less than 12 breath/min
- Apnea: stop of breathing
Blood Pressure
- Defined as the measurement of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of the arteries
- Measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
- Normal range: 120/80 mmHg
- Abnormalities:
- Hypertension: 130/80 mmHg or higher
- Hypotension: 90/60 mmHg or lower
- Systolic pressure: measures pressure when the heart contracts
- Diastolic pressure: measures pressure when the heart relaxes between beats
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Description
Learn about the importance of vital signs in medical evaluations, including the four main vital signs: body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
