Htec 90G Basic Patient Care Chapter 4 - Eval & Learn

Front 1

Vital sign

Back 1

Objective guideposts that provide data to determine a person's state of health.

Front 2

4 vital signs

Back 2

temperature, pulse, respiration (TPR),
blood pressure (BP)

Front 3

The 4 general guidelines that should be followed when measuring vital signs?

Back 3

1. Be familar w/ the normal ranges for all vital signs, keeping in mind that normal ranges vary based on the different age groups (infant, child, adult, elder)
2. Make sure that all equipment for measuring vital signs is in proper working condition to ensure accurate findings
3. Eliminate or miniize factors that affect the vitals, such as exercise, food & bev consumption, smoking & emotional state
4. Use an organized approach when measuring the vitals, usually temp, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pulse oximetry

Front 4

List 4 ways in which heat is produced in the body.

Back 4

1. Voluntary muscle contractions
2. Involuntary muscle contractions
3. Cell metabolism
4. Fever & strong emotional states

Front 5

List 4 ways in which heat is lost from the body.

Back 5

1. Urine & feces
2. Water vapor from the lungs
3. Perspiration
4. Radiation, conduction & convection

Front 6

What is the normal body temp range?

Back 6

97 to 99 degrees F
36.1 to 37.2 degrees celcius

Front 7

What is a fever?

Back 7

A body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, 38 degrees C

Front 8

How do diurnal variations affect body temperature?

Back 8

During sleep, body metabolism slows down, as do muscle contractions. The body's temp is lowest in the morning before metabolism & muscle contractions begin increasing.

Front 9

How do emotional states affect the body temperature?

Back 9

Strong emotions, such as crying and extreme anger, can increase body temperature.

Front 10

How does vigorous physical exercise affect body temperature?

Back 10

Cause an increase in voluntary muscle contractions, which elevates body temp.

Front 11

What symptoms occur with a fever?

Back 11

Inflammation and infection

Front 12

Fever pattern: continuous fever

Back 12

Body temp fluctuates minimally but always remains elevated, occurs w/scarlet fever, pneumococcal pneumonia.

Front 13

Fever pattern: intermittent fever

Back 13

Body temp alternately rises and falls and at times returns to normal or becomes subnormal. Occurs w/bacterial infections & viral infections.

Front 14

Fever pattern: remittent fever

Back 14

Wide range of temp fluctuations occur, all of which are above normal. Occurs w/ influenza, pneumonia, endocarditis.

Front 15

What is the subsiding stage of a fever?

Back 15

When the temperature gradually returns to normal.

Front 16

What five sites are used for taking body temperature

Back 16

mouth, axilla, rectum, ear, forehead

Front 17

List 3 instances in which the axillary site for taking body temperature would be preferred over the oral site.

Back 17

Toddlers & preschoolers,
mouth-breathing patients, and
patients with oral inflammation or who have had oral surgery.

Front 18

Why does the rectal method for taking body temperature provide a very accurate temp measurement?

Back 18

Because few factors can alter the results. Provides the most closed cavity.

Front 19

When can the rectal method be used to take body temp?

Back 19

Infants & young children,
unconscious patients,
mouth breathing patients, and
when greater accuracy in body temp is desired.

Front 20

When can the aural method be used to take body temp?

Back 20

Younger children than 6 years,
uncooperative patients, and
patients who are unable to have their temps taken orally.

Front 21

How does a temp taken thru the rectal and axillary method compare (in terms of degrees) with a temp taken thru the oral method?

Back 21

Rectal 1 degree higher than oral;
axillary 1 degree lower than oral

Front 22

List and describe the 4 types of thermometers available for taking body temp.

Back 22

1. Electronic - has interchangeable oral & rectal probes attached to a portable unit
2. Tympanic membrane - used in ear & detects thermal energy, radiated from the body.
3. Temporal artery - newest - electronic, consists of probe attached to portable unit
4. Chemical - contains heat sensitive chemicals & include single use, disposable units

Front 23

The tympanic membrane thermometer should not be used to measure temp on patients with what type of conditions?

Back 23

Inflammation of the external ear canal (e.g. otitis externa)
or when the ear contains a discharge (i.e. blood/pus), excessive discharge

Front 24

Explain how to clean the lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer

Back 24

Gently wipe the lens' surface w/ an antiseptic wipe & immediately wipe it dry with a cotton swab.

Front 25

List 2 reasons why the temporal artery is a good site to measure body temp

Back 25

The temporal artery is located so close to skin surface & is easily accessible

Front 26

How does the temp obtained thru the temporal site compare with oral, rectal, and axillary body temp?

Back 26

temporal - same as rectal
temporal - 1 degree higher than oral
temporal - 2 degrees higher than axillary

Front 27

List 4 factors that can result in a falsely low temp reading when using the temporal artery thermometer

Back 27

1. A dirty lens
2. Sweating on forehead
3. Scanning forehead too quickly
4. Not keeping the button pressed while scanning

Front 28

Where should a chemical thermometer be stored? Explain why.

Back 28

In a cool area, preferably colder than 86 degrees F, and should not be exposed to direct sunlight or may get false higher temp reading