Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the normal heart rate at rest?
What is the normal heart rate at rest?
- 60-100 beats per minute (correct)
- 80-120 beats per minute
- 100-140 beats per minute
- 50-80 beats per minute
What is arterial pulse defined as?
What is arterial pulse defined as?
- A pressure wave generated by the ejection of blood into the circulation from the left ventricle (correct)
- The movement of blood through the arteries
- The measurement of blood flow through the veins
- The contraction and relaxation of the heart
What is bradycardia defined as?
What is bradycardia defined as?
- A rapid heart rate
- A pulse rate of > 100 bpm
- An irregular heart rhythm
- A pulse rate of < 60 bpm (correct)
What is the term for a heart rate that varies with the respiratory cycle?
What is the term for a heart rate that varies with the respiratory cycle?
What is the term for an irregular heart rhythm with no appreciable pattern?
What is the term for an irregular heart rhythm with no appreciable pattern?
Which of the following is NOT a type of pulse?
Which of the following is NOT a type of pulse?
What is the recommended size of the bladder in a standard adult cuff for blood pressure measurement?
What is the recommended size of the bladder in a standard adult cuff for blood pressure measurement?
What is the significance of a difference of more than 10 mmHg in blood pressure between the two arms?
What is the significance of a difference of more than 10 mmHg in blood pressure between the two arms?
Why is it important to palpate the systolic pressure first in blood pressure measurement?
Why is it important to palpate the systolic pressure first in blood pressure measurement?
What is the normal range of respiratory rate in an adult at rest?
What is the normal range of respiratory rate in an adult at rest?
What is the term for a respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute?
What is the term for a respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute?
What is the effect of a 7 cm change in arm elevation on blood pressure measurement?
What is the effect of a 7 cm change in arm elevation on blood pressure measurement?
What condition is most likely indicated by a beat-to-beat variation in pulse volume with a normal rhythm?
What condition is most likely indicated by a beat-to-beat variation in pulse volume with a normal rhythm?
What is the definition of hypothermia?
What is the definition of hypothermia?
What condition is characterized by a gradual upstroke with a reduced peak occurring late in systole?
What condition is characterized by a gradual upstroke with a reduced peak occurring late in systole?
What is the primary diagnostic feature of pulsus bisferiens?
What is the primary diagnostic feature of pulsus bisferiens?
Why should the respiratory rate be measured quietly and without drawing the patient's attention to it?
Why should the respiratory rate be measured quietly and without drawing the patient's attention to it?
Which condition is most likely to explain a low pulse volume?
Which condition is most likely to explain a low pulse volume?
Which of the following can cause asymmetric pulses?
Which of the following can cause asymmetric pulses?
What does a blood pressure reading of 146/92 mmHg indicate?
What does a blood pressure reading of 146/92 mmHg indicate?
Which condition is associated with a rapid fall in pressure after the peak of the pulse wave?
Which condition is associated with a rapid fall in pressure after the peak of the pulse wave?
What is pulsus paradoxus most commonly associated with?
What is pulsus paradoxus most commonly associated with?
Study Notes
Vital Signs
- Arterial pulse is a pressure wave generated by the ejection of blood into the circulation from the left ventricle.
Arterial Pulse
- Can be measured at the radial, brachial, carotid, or femoral arteries.
- Has four components:
- Rate: 60-100 beats per minute at rest.
- Rhythm: regular or irregular.
- Volume: perceived degree of pulsation.
- Character: pulse waveform impression or shape.
Abnormal Pulse Rates
- Bradycardia: a pulse rate of < 60 bpm.
- Tachycardia: a rate of > 100 bpm.
- Sinus arrhythmia: a regular rhythm with a heart rate that varies with the respiratory cycle.
- Atrial fibrillation: an irregularly irregular pulse.
Blood Pressure
- Important steps to measure blood pressure:
- Use a proper cuff size (13x30 cm for a standard adult cuff).
- Record the highest pressure and use it to guide management.
- Avoid auscultatory gap by palpating the systolic pressure first.
- Ensure the patient's arm is at the appropriate level (elbow level with the heart).
- Normal blood pressure values: not specified.
Respiratory Rate
- Measured by quietly observing and timing the respiratory rate (e.g., breaths in 15 seconds × 4).
- Normal respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths per minute at rest.
- Abnormal respiratory rates:
- Tachypnea: RR > 20.
- Bradypnea: RR < 12.
Temperature
- Normal temperature: 37.2°C or an afternoon temperature of < 37.7°C.
- Abnormal temperatures:
- Hypothermia: a core temperature < 37.2°C.
- Fever: a temperature > 37.7°C.
Pulse Volume and Character
- Pulse volume varies with pulse pressure.
- Low pulse volume may be due to:
- Severe heart failure.
- Hypovolemia.
- Cardiac tamponade.
- Mitral stenosis.
- Coarctation of the aorta.
- Asymmetric pulses may be due to:
- Atherosclerosis or stenosis of peripheral arteries.
- Aortic dissection.
- Abnormal pulse characters:
- Slow-rising pulse: gradual upstroke with a reduced peak occurring late in systole.
- Collapsing pulse: the peak of the pulse wave arrives early and is followed by a rapid fall in pressure.
- Pulsus bisferiens: a double systolic peak.
- Pulsus alternans: beat-to-beat variation in pulse volume with a normal rhythm.
- Pulsus paradoxus: exaggeration of the normal variability of pulse volume with breathing.
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Description
A quiz on vital signs, covering normal values, examination components, and related abnormalities. Includes arterial pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature.
