Chapter 35: Vital Signs
As a person's age increases, his or her pulse rate __________.
decreases
A respiratory rate relates to age and that it?
decreases with age
The parts of a stethoscope that detects sounds are what?
diaphragm and bell
The greater than normal body temp. variations are often the first sign of illness or _____.
disease
It is NOT recommended to use a rectal thermometer on an _________ child.
active
Electronic thermometers are _____ ______ and have digital windows for easy viewing and reading.
battery operated
To provide each pt with a new and sanitary thermometer, the electronic thermometer is fitted with a _____ _____ _____.
disposable probe cover
The order thermometer is inserted under the tongue on either side of the ______ _______.
frenulum linguae
Clinical signs and symptom of a fever include?
headache increased respiratory rate sweating
The ________________, a portion of the brain, is able to adjust the body temp. by either increasing or decreasing heat production during the day.
hypothalamus
Caffeine and nicotine can ______ the heart rate.
increase
A pt who drinks a large coffee before her appointment may have an...
intermittent pulse
Secondary HTN may be caused by?
kidney disease pregnancy endocrine disorder
The axillary method of taking temp. is the ____ accurate.
least
Axillary temperature is generally about one degrees _________ than oral temperature.
lower
The ____ method of temp. measurement calculates body temperature from data based on heat waves in the ear canal.
oral
Body temp is measure in which ways?
oral axillary temporal
A blood pressure reading that indicates a temporary fall in blood pressure that occurs when a pt moves rapidly from a lying to standing position is known a s ________.
orthostatic
The medical assistant should where disposable gloves when taking a _________ temp.
rectal
A blood pressure reading of ______________ is considered to be normal for an adult.
119/79
To convert inches to centimeters, multiple by ___
2.5
The _________________________ is the instrument used for measuring the pressure the blood exerts against the walls of the artery.
sphygmomanometer
The _________ is used to detect sounds produced by blood pressure
stethoscope
What is considered vital signs?
temp pulse respiration
To convert degrees Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiple by 9/5 and then add ___?
32
Blood pressure readings should routinely be started at the age of ___ as part of the school physical, or earlier if medically necessary.
5
In a healthy adult, normally the heart beats around ___ times per minute during periods inactivity
70
The average body temp. of a heathy person is _______ *F and may vary by 1 *F during the day.
98.6 *F
The normal body temp. based on statistical averages for the ear is
98.6 F
If the medical assistant must document an axillary temp reading, which symbol is used?
AX
Vital signs give quick snapshots of how the body is ______.
Functioning
Volume (strength of the pulse) is influenced by __________.
Gender
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Headache blurish vision chest pain
___________________ refers to deep rapid respiration.
Hyperventilation
_________ is defined as a body temp. below 97* F
Hypothermia
Clinical signs of fever are...
Increased respiration rate shivering chills and sweating
When a pt is not able to take in enough oxygen during inhalation, the skin and nail beds may appear __________ in color.
bluish
A respiratory rate below 12 of an adult is called _____.
bradypnea
Severe hyperthermia symptoms are...
cessation of sweating loss of coordination drowsiness and convulsion
A chemical disposable thermometer changes _________ to indicate body temperature.
color
which fever is characterized by a wide range of temp fluctuations over a 24 hour period.
Remittent
The following is described as a fever with a wide range of temperature fluctuations over a 24 hour period.
Remittent fever
__________ is the least accurate means of taking body temp.
Axillary
Which respiratory rates would be considered a serious problem?
Below 8 Above 45 Above 60
On some thermometers, there may be a ____ dot indicating that the thermometer is for oral use or a _____ dot is indicating rectal use.
Blue red
____ ____ is produced as a by product of metabolism.
Body heat
What are the clinical signs of hypothermia?
Decreased respirations pale, waxy, cool skin lack of muscle coordination
________ of the pt vital signs is a responsibility that makes available the information necessary for providing quality heath care.
Documentation
What are the three types of thermometers that are available for measuring body temp.?
Electrical or digital Tympanic membrane Chemical
The ____ method is the most common site for taking a temperature.
Oral
_______ _______ is a measurement of the number of times the heart beats per minute.
Pulse rate
All of the following are characteristics that need to be noted and recorded when pulse rate is observed?
Rate Volume Rhythm
______________ sounds are noisy breathing sounds such as those heard in snoring.
Stertorous
An easy way to remember the preferred sequence for taking vital signs is by what initials?
TPR, and BP
A pulse rate above 100 BMP is known as
Tachycardia
What can cause errors in blood pressure readings?
The cuff is the wrong size for the pt The pts arm was held above the level of the heart deflation occurs too rapid to accurately determine the sounds.
What are the errors in blood pressure readings?
The cuff is too large the cuff is too small the pt arm is being covered
The following is NOT true of children? body temperature:
They may get a fever early in the morning.
_____________ disease increases the pulse rate.
Thyroid
These are the psychological factors that can affect blood pressure.
Volume or amt of blood in the arteries Peripheral resistance of the vessel condition of the heart muscle
Pts ____________ is usually measured more frequently than their height.
Weight
A pulse with an irregular rhythm is the known a _______.
dysrhythmia
What can influence pulse rates?
exercise Age Gender
Pts with _____ _____ often required frequent weight monitoring.
fluid retention
Reading of blood pressure are given in _____________ of mercury.
millimeters
To convert (F) to (C), ____ 32 and then ____ by 5/9
minus then multiply
Pulse rate is a measurement of the number of times the heart beats in a ________.
minute
when converting pounds to kilograms, _________ the number of pounds by 0.45
multiply
There are _______ areas in the body where the pulse can be easily measured.
nine
Mercury thermometers are ___ _____ use in medical facilities because of the danger of breakage and exposure to mercury, which is a toxic substance.
no longer
What are the three sizes of blood pressure cuffs?
pediatric large thigh
The first step in the procedure for measuring rectal temperature using an electronic thermometer is:
performing hand hygiene
The rectal thermometer is advisable for taking the temp of _______ ______.
unconscious pt
The axillary thermometer takes temperature where?
under the arm
______ and _____ are anthropometric measurements, not really considered vital signs.
weight and height
Pt height and weight are measured _____ their shoes on.
without
