1323 Vital Signs

Front 1

What would be the appropriate times to take vital signs in te clinical settings?

Back 1

on admission,
routine schedule according to Dr. orders
when assessing client in home care settings
before and after invasive procedures
before and after medication administration
when client's physical condition changes
before, during and after nursing interventions
when client reports symptoms of physical distress
feeling ill or different
nurse feels it is necessary

Front 2

What is the leading cause of inaccurate BP readings?

Back 2

an improperly fitting BP cuff

Front 3

What are some cultural considerations to consider when taking vital signs?

Back 3

provide privacy,
use gender congruent providers,
consult physician and family decision maker of abnormal vital signs,
determine client's understanding of new procedures,
use interpreter if necessary

Front 4

What are the guidelines for assessing vital signs?

Back 4

the nurse is responsible for vital sign measurements,
equipment must be functional and chosen based on client's condition and physical characteristics,
knowing the standard range for all vital signs,
client's normal range may be different from the standard,
know medical history, therapies, and prescribed medication,
control environmental factors that may effect vital signs,
use and organized and systematic method,
nurse collaborates with physician to decide minimum frequency of vital sign assessment,
analyze results of vital sign measurements,
nurse verifies and communicates significant changes in vital signs,
in an out patient setting vital signs are taken before health care provider examines client

Front 5

What are the normal temperature ranges for each site?

Back 5

oral(96.8-100.4)
rectal (97.7-101.3)
axillary (95.9-99.5)
*same site should be used when repeating measurements*
no single temp is normal for all people

Front 6

What are the core temperature measurement sites?

Back 6

Rectum
Tympanic membrane
Esophagus
Pulmonary artery
Urinary bladder

Front 7

What are the surface sites for taking temp.?

Back 7

skin
oral cavity
axilla

Front 8

What is the most accurate site for taking an accurate temp.?

Back 8

rectal is the most accurate site and is best post-oral surgery

Front 9

What are some things to take into consideration when determining potential alterations in body temperature?

Back 9

fever
age
exercise
hormones
stress
environmental temperature
medications
daily fluctuations

Front 10

What are the steps for taking and oral temperature?

Back 10

1) remove thermometer and attach probe cover
2)ask client to open mouth; then gently place thermometer probe under tongue
3) hold in place with lips closed

Front 11

What are the steps for taking rectal temperature?

Back 11

1) draw curtain
2) insert into anus in direction of umbilicus approximately 1 1/2 inches

Front 12

What are the steps for taking axillary temperature?

Back 12

1) draw curtain
2)raise are away from torso
3) insert thermometer probe into center of axilla, lower are over probe, place arm across client's chest

Front 13

What are the steps for taking tympanic membrane?

Back 13

1) place disposable cover over the otoscope-like lens tip
2) adults: pull ear up and back
Child less than 2: pull ear down and back

Front 14

What are the nursing measures to take if client's temperature is above normal range?

Back 14

1) cool room temperature
2) reduce external covering
3) keep clothing and bed linen dry
4) apply hypothermia blanket as ordered
5) limit physical activity and sources of emotional stress
6) administer antipyretics as ordered
7) increase fluid intake to at least 3L daily
8) initiate measure to stimulate appetite, and provide nutrients to meed increase energy needs
9) prevent or contro spread of infection

Front 15

What are nursing measures to take if client't temp. is below normal range?

Back 15

1) initiate measures to increase body temperature
2) heat room
3) cover client with warm blankets
4) apply hyperthermia blankets
5) close room doors or control drafts
6) encourage warm liquids

Front 16

What are factors to consider when determining alterations in pulse?

Back 16

1) history of heart disease
2) cardiac dysrhythmia
3) sudden onset of chest pain or acute pain from any site
4) invasive cardiovascular
5) surgery
6) sudden infusion of large volume of IV fluids
7) internal or external hemorrhage
8) or administration of medications that alter cardiac functions
9) history of peripheral vascular disease
10) age
11) exercise
12) position changes
13) cool extremities
14) thin, shiny skin with decreased hair growth
15) thickened nails
16) poor cardiac circulation
17) high pain rate

Front 17

What are the locations of pulse site?

Back 17

1) temporal
2) radial
3) ulnar
4) carotid
5) popliteal
6) petal
7) brachial
8) femoral
9) posterior tibial
10) dorsalis pedis

Front 18

What are the normal ranges of the pulse for all age groups?

Back 18

1) birth: 100-160
2) infant: 70-110
3) adolescent: 60-90
4) adult: 60-90

Front 19

What is the correct procedure for taking and recording the radial pulse?

Back 19

if pulse is regular count rate for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. If it is irregular count for 1 whole minute. Record pulse on flow sheet and recor any accompanying signs and symptoms of pulse alterations. Report abnormal findings

Front 20

What is the correct procedure for taking and recording the radial pulse?

Back 20

locate the PMI(point of maximal impulse) in the 5th intercostal space. count for one full minute if pt is on cardiovasular medication or if it is irregular. report any abnormal findings. Record alterations in nurse's notes.

Front 21

What are some nursing interventions to implement if an adult pt's radial pulse if high?

Back 21

Identify related data: pain, fear, anxiety, recent activity, low BP, blood loss, elevated temp., inadequate oxygenation
Observe symptoms associated with abnormal cardiac function: dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, jugular vein distention, cyanosis, pallor of the skin, and edema

Front 22

What are some nursing interventions to implement if and adult pt's radial pulse is low?

Back 22

ausculate the apical pulse
confer with the physician and be prepared to order an electrocardiogram

Front 23

What are some nursing interventions to implement if pt's apical pulse if high?

Back 23

identify related data
observe symptoms assosiciated with abnormal cardiac function

Front 24

What are some nursing interventions to implement if apical pulse is low?

Back 24

observe for signs associated with altered tissue perfusion
have another nurse assess apical pulse
report findings to charge nurse/physician

Front 25

What are some nursing interventions if apical rhythm is irregular?

Back 25

assess for pulse deficit
an electrocardiogram may be ordered

Front 26

What are some nursing interventions to implement if athere are occasional premature ventricular contractions in a pt with heart disease?

Back 26

numerous PVCs or PVCs that alternate with normal heartbeat repeatedly should be reported to Dr.

Front 27

What are the implications of a pulse deficit?

Back 27

1) an inefficient contraction of the heart that fails to transmit a pulse wave to the peripheral pusle sites
2) frequently associated with dysrhythmias and warn of potential alteration to cardiac output
3) to assess for a pulse deficit the nurse and a colleague assess the radial and apical pulse simultaneously and compare measurements
4) the difference between the rates is the pulse deficit
5) both nurses count for a full min.
6) it reflects the number of ineffective cardiac contractions in 1 min.

Front 28

What are some factors that determine a potential for alteration in respirations?

Back 28

pain
fever
anxiety
disease of the chest wall
constrictive dressing
abdominal incision
chronic pulmonary disease
cyanosis
irritablity
confusion
labored or difficult breathing
adventitious breath sounds

Front 29

What is the correct procedure for taking and recording respirations?

Back 29

1) provide privacy
2) chest must be visible
3) observe complete respiratory cycle
4) count normal respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by 2, if irregular count for full min.
5) note shallow, normal, or deep breaths
6) note rhythm
7) record on flow sheet, record abnormal finding in nurses notes, report abnormal findings to Dr. or charge nurse

Front 30

What are the normal parameters for respirations in each age group?

Back 30

Adult: 12-20 respiration per min
Newborns: 35-40
Infant (6 months-1yr): 30-50
Toddler(2yrs): 25
3-12yrs: 18-23