Vital Signs

Front 1

What are Vital Signs?

Back 1

They are the most frequent measurement taken. Indicates effectiveness of circulatory, respiratory,neural,endocrine function. Data re: usual state of health, response to stressors, change in function.

Front 2

Serial Event

Back 2

Note trends,baseline vs normal ranges

Front 3

Inspection

Back 3

Is what you can see

Front 4

Palpation

Back 4

What you can feel

Front 5

Auscultation

Back 5

What you can hear

Front 6

What is the relationship between vital signs and physical assessment?

Back 6

Vital signs are not isolated numbers. Grouped data is interrelated physiologic systems. Follow trends.

Front 7

What are the nursing responsibilities

Back 7

Measure accurately,understand and interpret values, note symptoms precipitating or accompanying the alternative and document them, communicate findings, intervene prn and document interventions and response

Front 8

Physiology of Body temperature

Back 8

Heat produced-heat loss
is regulated by physiological and behavioral mechanisms

Front 9

Physiology of heat production and loss

Back 9

difference between amt of heat produced by body processes and amnt of heat lost to environment. keeps core temp relatively constant. surface temp increase variability depends on amt of blood flow to skin. regulated by cardio and neural mechanisms and by individuals behavior to maintain comfort

Front 10

where can you get a core temperature

Back 10

rectum
tympanic membrane
esophagus
pulmonary artery
urinary bladder

Front 11

what are the normal temperature ranges?

Back 11

35.9 to 37.4 which is 96.6-99.3. older adult 95.0-97.5

Front 12

what are the mechanism of heat loss

Back 12

sweating
vasodilatation
skin

Front 13

mechanisms of heat production

Back 13

muscle shivering-involuntary body response inititated by hypothalamus
muscle tremors
vasoconstriction

Front 14

Hypothalamus.

Back 14

Located between cerebral hemispheres. senses minor changes in body temp. anterior-controls heat loss. posterior-controls heat production. lesions or trauma= serious alterations in temp.

Front 15

Heat

Back 15

is a by product of metabolism

increased metabolism-increased heat

Front 16

Basal Metabolic Rate
(increased heat production)

Back 16

minimal rate at which the body produces heat from metabolic processes.
depends on:
thyroid hormone
sns
testosterone
exercise

Front 17

Heat loss

Back 17

Radiation-removing clothes or blankets,standing upright, cover w close woven dark cloth.
conduction-ice pack,kpad
convection-electric fan
evaporation-sweating

Front 18

Radiation

Back 18

transfer of heat between 2 objects by electromagnetic wave. heat is moved outward from warm objects to cooler surrounding air by peripheral vasodilatation.

Front 19

Conduction

Back 19

transfer of heat between 2 objects by direct contact. heat conducts thru solids,gases,liquids. accounts for small amt heat loss. decrease heat loss by increasing layers of clothing

Front 20

Convection

Back 20

transfer of heat by air movement. vasoconstriction prevents heat loss. vasodilation increase heat loss by convection.