Assessing Vital Signs & Self-Breast Exam PDF

Health12i TOPIC 2: Assessing Vital Signs: PULSE/Self-Breast Exam. Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include the following: O Body temperature O Pulse rate...

Health12i TOPIC 2: Assessing Vital Signs: PULSE/Self-Breast Exam. Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include the following: O Body temperature O Pulse rate O Respiration rate (rate of breathing) O Blood pressure Your pulse is a way of counting heartbeats per minute. You can feel your pulse in various parts of your body. O For the average adult at rest, the normal pulse rate is usually between 60 and 100 bpm. O The more active and fit you are, the lower your average resting heart rate. Athletes tend to have lower resting heart rates than non-athletes. O Average heart rates at rest based on age: Children (ages 6 to 15): 70 to 100 bpm. Adults (ages 18 and older): 60 to 100 bpm. Athletes, particularly those involved in endurance training, usually have a lower resting heart rate because regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, allowing it to pump more blood with each beat, thus requiring fewer beats per minute to deliver the same amount of oxygen to the body; this increased efficiency, along with a larger stroke volume and enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activity, contributes to a lower resting heart rate, often considered a sign of good cardiovascular health. Pulse rate, or heart rate, can be influenced by several factors, including age, health, and lifestyle. Here's how each of these factors affects pulse: Age:Children generally have higher pulse rates than adults. For instance, infants and toddlers may have resting heart rates between 100 and 160 beats per minute, while adults typically have a resting rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute.As people age, the heart often becomes less efficient, leading to a slightly higher resting pulse rate compared to younger individuals. Older adults may also experience a decrease in cardiovascular fitness, which can affect pulse regulation. Health:Cardiovascular Health: People with conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or arrhythmias may have abnormal pulse rates. A weakened heart or poor blood circulation can result in a faster or irregular pulse. Fitness Level: Healthy, physically active individuals often have a lower resting pulse rate due to better cardiovascular conditioning. Regular exercise strengthens the heart, allowing it to pump more efficiently with each beat, leading to a lower heart rate at rest. Illness or Fever: Fever, infections, or other illnesses can cause an elevated pulse rate as the body works harder to fight off the condition. Lifestyle:Exercise and Physical Activity: Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercises, can reduce resting pulse rate. Athletes or people who engage in regular cardiovascular exercise often have lower resting heart rates due to the heart's increased efficiency. Stress and Emotions: Emotional states like stress, anxiety, or excitement activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to an increase in heart rate (also known as the "fight or flight" response). Chronic stress or anxiety can also contribute to persistently elevated pulse rates. Substances: Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can increase pulse rate. Stimulants like caffeine can temporarily elevate the heart rate, while alcohol and nicotine may have both immediate and long-term effects on pulse. Sleep: During sleep, the body’s parasympathetic nervous system dominates, which leads to a slower heart rate. Factors like sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can result in a higher resting pulse rate during waking hours. While there are many of these pulse points located throughout the body, a few of the most common ones that are used for taking a person’s pulse are:  Brachial: Located in the inner upper arm.  Radial: Located in each wrist.  Carotid: Located on the side of the neck. By now, you’re familiar with the brachial, radial, and carotid pulse points. But did you know there are six other locations where the human pulse can be palpated? 1. Carotid: below the jaw angle, beside the trachea 2. Radial: on the bottom of the wrist, near the base of the thumb 3. Apical: at the apex of the heart 4. Femoral: below the inguinal ligament, or the groin crease 5. Popliteal: on the back of the knee 6. Temporal: along the top of the cheekbone 7. Brachial: on the inner side of the bicep muscle  8. Posterior Tibial: on the inside of the ankle 9. Dorsalis Pedis: at the top of the foot A peripheral pulse refers to the pulse found at sites away from the heart, typically in the arms and legs. Common Sites: Radial Pulse: Located at the wrist on the thumb side, commonly used for routine pulse checks. Brachial Pulse: Located on the inside of the upper arm, often used in infants or for blood pressure measurements. Femoral Pulse: Found in the groin area, used in emergency situations or when other peripheral pulses are weak. Dorsalis Pedis Pulse: Located on the top of the foot, often checked in patients with vascular concerns. Significance: Peripheral pulses help assess circulation in the limbs and are particularly useful when evaluating blood flow or detecting signs of peripheral artery disease. EQUIPMENT TO BE USED: Watch or Timer: A device to measure time (with second markings or a stopwatch) is necessary to calculate the pulse rate in beats per minute (bpm). Alcohol Swabs (optional): If you're assessing the pulse in areas that require cleaning, such as for a medical procedure, alcohol swabs can be used to disinfect the area before palpating. Pen and Paper or Digital Device (optional): To record the pulse rate, if needed for documentation. Stethoscope: Helps listen to the heartbeats, often used by healthcare professionals. Sphygmomanometer: Blood pressure monitor that also measures pulse rate as part of the reading. A small device that clips onto a finger to Pulse Oximeter: measure pulse rate and oxygen levels. Often worn as a chest strap or a wristband, Heart Rate Monitor: useful during exercise. Smartwatches and Many modern devices come with built-in heart Fitness Trackers: rate monitoring functions. HOW TO USE PULSE OXIMETER? Preparation: Make sure your hands are clean and warm. Remove any nail polish or artificial nails from the finger you'll use, as they can affect the reading. Placement: Turn on the pulse oximeter. Place it on your fingertip (usually the index or middle finger). The sensor side should be on the nail side of your finger. Reading: Keep your hand still and wait a few seconds while the device calculates your readings. Once it's stable, you will see two numbers: one for your oxygen saturation (SpO2) and one for your pulse rate (BPM). Recording: Note the readings if you need to track your pulse rate over time or if you need to share the information with a healthcare provider. Low oxygen saturation, also known as hypoxemia, can cause a number of symptoms, including: Shortness of breath: A feeling of air hunger or difficulty breathing Bluish skin: Lips, fingernails, and skin may appear bluish Headache: Severe headaches can occur Dizziness  Fast heartbeat Confusion Coughing or wheezing Extreme fatigue Restlessness: A symptom of hypoxia Painful cramps: Poor circulation can lead to painful cramps Low oxygen saturation, also known as hypoxemia, can be caused by many conditions, including: Lung conditions: Breathing conditions that make it hard to breathe, such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis Heart conditions: Conditions that affect the heart's function, such as heart failure and congenital heart defects Blood conditions: Conditions that affect the blood's ability to carry oxygen, such as anemia and blood clots Sleep disorders: Conditions that disrupt sleep, such as sleep apnea Medications: Medications that lower breathing rate, such as some narcotics and anesthetics High altitudes: Living in an area with less oxygen in the air Other causes include: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Interstitial lung disease Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) Pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs) Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)  SELF-BREAST EXAMINATION (SBE): What is the anatomy of the breasts? There are many different parts to female breast anatomy, including: o Adipose tissue: Your breast is mainly made up of fatty tissue (adipose tissue). It extends from your collarbone to your armpit and across your ribcage. o Lobes: Each breast has between 15 to 20 lobes, or sections. These lobes surround your nipple like spokes on a wheel. o Glandular tissue (lobules): These small sections of tissue found inside lobes have tiny bulblike glands at the end that produce milk. o Milk (mammary) ducts: These small tubes, or ducts, carry milk from glandular tissue (lobules) to your nipples. o Nipples: The nipple is in the center of your areola. Each nipple has about nine milk ducts, as well as hundreds of nerves. o Areolae: The areola is the circular darker-colored area of skin surrounding your nipple. Areolae have glands called Montgomery’s glands that secrete a lubricating oil. This oil protects your nipple and skin from chafing during breastfeeding. o Blood vessels: Blood vessels circulate blood throughout your breasts, chest and body. o Lymph vessels: Part of your lymphatic system, these vessels transport lymph, a fluid that helps your body’s immune system fight infection. Lymph vessels connect to lymph nodes, which are found under your armpits, in your chest and in other places. o Lymph nodes: Small organs that help fight infection. o o Nerves: Nipples have hundreds of nerve endings, which makes them extremely sensitive to touch. The male breast structure is nearly identical to the female breast, except that the male breast tissue lacks the specialized lobules, since there is no physiologic need for milk production by males. Anatomically, the adult breast sits atop the pectoralis muscle (the "pec" chest muscle), which is atop the ribcage. The 3 different types of breast tissue in women include: 1 Glandular: Also called lobules, glandular tissue produces milk for lactation. 2 Connective or fibrous: This tissue holds glandular and fatty breast tissue in place. 3 Fatty: This tissue fills in the areas between glandular and connective tissue and determines your breast size. Why is SBE important?  Early Detection: Early identification of changes can lead to better outcomes.  Self-Awareness: Familiarizing yourself with your body helps you detect unusual changes.  Compliments Professional Screening: Works alongside mammograms and clinical exams  When to Perform a Self-Breast Examination?  Frequency: Recommended once a month.  Best Time: 7-10 days after the start of your menstrual cycle, when breasts are least tender.  Post-Menopausal Women: Any day of the month, but at the same time each month. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SBE?  Increased Awareness: Helps you learn what’s normal for your body.  Empowerment: Gives you control over your health.  Early Detection: Increases the chance of detecting breast cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. MYTHS AND FACTS:  Myth: Self-breast exams cause breast cancer. Fact: Performing an SBE does not increase the risk of cancer.  Myth: Self-breast exams are only for older women. Fact: Women of all ages should be familiar with their breasts.  Myth: A breast lump always means cancer. Fact: Many lumps are benign (non-cancerous).  Detailed Steps of Self-breast Examination (SBE) Step 1: Visual Inspection  Objective: Check for any visible changes in the breast, skin, or nipple.  Procedure: 1. Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and arms relaxed at your sides. 2. Look for visible changes:  Shape: Compare the size, shape, and symmetry of both breasts. Notice if one is larger than the other.  Skin texture: Look for skin dimpling, redness, puckering, or swelling.  Nipples: Check if the nipples are inverted (turned inward), or if there's any unusual discharge or crusting around them.  Surface: Look for any abnormal lumps, rashes, or visible veins. 3. Raise both arms over your head and repeat the inspection. This position helps identify any changes that may not be visible when the arms are at the sides. Step 2: Palpation While Lying Down Objective: To feel for lumps or changes in the breast tissue. Procedure: 1. Lie down on your back with a pillow or towel placed under your right shoulder to spread the breast tissue evenly. 2. Place your right arm behind your head to flatten the breast tissue and make it easier to examine. 3. Use the pads of your fingers (not your fingertips) to feel for any lumps or changes. 4. Start at the outer part of the breast (near the armpit) and use a circular motion to feel the entire breast, gradually moving inward toward the nipple. 5. Examine in a systematic pattern: 5.1 Use up-and-down (vertical) patterns or circular motions to feel all the tissue (from the collarbone to the bottom of the breast, and from the armpit to the center of the breast). 5.2 Apply light pressure to feel the surface, medium pressure for the middle tissue, and deep pressure to reach the tissue closest to the chest wall. 6. Examine the nipple area: Gently pinch the nipple to check for any discharge (clear, milky, or bloody fluid) or changes. 7. Repeat this process for the left breast using the same technique. Step 3: Palpation While Standing or Sitting Objective: To check for lumps in the breast tissue while you're in a standing or sitting position, as gravity can sometimes reveal abnormalities not felt in the lying-down position. Procedure: 1.Stand or sit up straight, ensuring your posture is relaxed and arms are hanging loosely at your sides. 2. Place your right arm behind your head and use your left hand to examine your right breast. Feel for any lumps or changes using the same method of pressure as described in the lying-down position. 3. Repeat this for the left breast, switching arms.  What to look for?  Pain: Unexplained or persistent pain in one part of your breast (though pain is often not a sign of cancer, it can indicate other issues).  Nipple Changes: Look for changes in the appearance of the nipple, such as inversion (when the nipple turns inward), abnormal discharge, or sores.  Swelling: Swelling, even if it is not painful, may be a sign of infection, cysts, or more serious conditions like cancer.