What are customary vital signs?

Blood Pressure (BP), Pulse (P), Temperature (T), Respiration (R)

What measurements have been included in the vital signs arena?

Pain level, Weight, Height, Oxygen saturation (SpO₂)

What triggers or factors help change vital signs?

Stress, Anxiety, Age, Health status

What are anthropometric measurements?

Height, Weight, Body proportions, Body Mass Index (BMI)

What does symptomatic mean?

Showing signs or symptoms of illness

What does asymptomatic mean?

Without symptoms

How is blood pressure measured?

In millimeters of mercury (mmHg)

What is blood pressure?

The pressure of blood against the arterial walls.

What is pulse pressure and how do you measure it?

Pulse pressure = Systolic BP − Diastolic BP

What measures blood pressure?

A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and stethoscope

What is the normal blood pressure range?

Less than 120/80 mmHg

What is systolic blood pressure?

Pressure when the heart contracts; top number

What is diastolic blood pressure?

Pressure when the heart relaxes; bottom number

How should blood pressure be taken?

Arm supported, cuff at heart level

What are the equipment pieces used to take blood pressure?

Blood pressure cuff and Stethoscope

What does hypotension look like?

Below 90/60 mmHg

What does hypertension look like?

140/90 mmHg or higher

Do high levels of cholesterol affect blood pressure?

Yes, cholesterol forms plaque in arteries, narrowing them and increasing resistance.

What is cholesterol?

A fatty substance found in the blood that can build plaque in arteries.

Will blood pressure readings be affected if the same arm is used repeatedly?

Yes, wait at least 1 minute before retaking BP on the same arm.

What are the nine pulse sites/locations?

Temporal, Carotid, Apical, Brachial, Radial, Femoral, Popliteal, Posterior tibial, Dorsalis pedis

What is the normal pulse rate range?

60-100 beats per minute

Is the pulse rate slower or faster in infants?

Faster in infants, slower in elderly adults

What is the most common site to take a pulse rate?

Radial pulse (wrist)

What is palpating the pulse?

Feeling the artery with your fingers to detect heartbeats.

What is a pulse oximeter?

A device placed on a finger that measures oxygen saturation in the blood.

What is the normal range for the pulse oximeter?

95%-100%; less than 95% may indicate insufficient oxygen.

What is the normal respiration rate?

12-20 breaths per minute

What controls respiration?

The diaphragm

What is internal respiration?

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and body tissues.

What is external respiration?

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between lungs and environment.

How should one measure the rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration?

Observe the chest or shoulders rising and falling.

What is Stertorous?

Noisy breathing that sounds like snoring.

What is pleurisy?

Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs.

What is temperature?

The measure of the body's production and loss of heat.

What is considered the normal temperature?

98.6°F (37°C)

What is diurnal?

Daily temperature variation.

What is metabolism?

The body's chemical and physical processes that maintain life.

How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?

F=(Cx9/5)+32

How do you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

C=(F-32)x5/9

How do you convert kilograms to pounds?

Pounds = kg × 2.2

How do you convert pounds to kilograms?

kg = lbs ÷ 2.2

What is Fahrenheit?

A Temperature scale

What is Celsius?

Temperature scale where water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.

What are the characteristic measurements for pulse?

Rate, Rhythm, Strength/volume

What are the characteristic measurements for respiration?

Rate, Rhythm, Depth, Audibility

What are the characteristic measurements for blood pressure?

Systolic pressure, Diastolic pressure

What is the characteristic measurement for oxygen saturation?

a pulse oximeter

What does CDC mean?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention