Vital Signs Correct Ans - Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood
Pressure, and Pain
Purpose of Vital Signs Correct Ans - -Detect any changes in normal
body function
-Determine response to treatment
-Get a baseline
Temperature (Measurement of body heat) Correct Ans - The
difference between the amount of heat produced by the body and the
amount of heat lost to the environment measured in degrees;
Negative feedback loop
Radiation Correct Ans - the diffusion or dissemination of heat by
electromagnetic waves
Convection Correct Ans - The dissemination of heat by motion
between areas of unequal density
Evaporation Correct Ans - The conversion of a liquid to a vapor
Conduction Correct Ans - The transfer of heat to another object
during direct contact
afebrile Correct Ans - "without fever;"
a person with normal body temperature
Pyrexia Correct Ans - fever; an increase above normal in body
temperature
febrile Correct Ans - a person with a fever
Pyrogens Correct Ans - substances that cause fever
Clinically significant temperature Correct Ans - 100.4 degrees
fahrenheit (orally)
,Hypothermia Correct Ans - low body temperature
Hyperthermia Correct Ans - high body temperature
Beneficial Effects of Fever Correct Ans - -destruction of disease-
causing microorganisms
-increased susceptibility of disease-causing microorganisms to anti-
infective agents
-enhanced response by the immune system
Hyperpyrexia Correct Ans - Fever equal to or greater than 106
degrees F (41 degrees C); Medical emergency.
How does the body *decrease* temperature? Correct Ans -
Vasodilation; sweating
Vasodilation Correct Ans - the body diverts blood to the body
surface where heat can be transferred to surrounding environment
How does the body *increase* temperature? Correct Ans -
Shivering, epinephrine, increased metabolism, vasoconstriction- shunts
blood from body surface, Oxygen consumption increase
Normal *oral* temperature range for adults Correct Ans - 97.6-99.6
degrees F
Normal *rectal* temperature range for adults Correct Ans - 98.6-
100.6 degrees F
(1 degree F higher than Oral)
Normal *axillary* temperature range for adults Correct Ans - 96.6-
98.6 degrees F
(1 degree F lower than Oral)
Red tipped thermometer probe is used for...? Correct Ans - Rectal
temperature reading
Blue tipped thermometer probe is used for...? Correct Ans - Oral &
axillary temperature readings
, Sites to take temperature Correct Ans - oral, axillary, rectal,
tympanic, temporal
Factors Affecting Temperature Correct Ans - Exercise, illness, age,
time of day (4-8pm), medications, infection, emotions, hydration, clothing,
environmental temperature/air movement
If a mercury thermometer breaks, what is the course of action? Correct
Ans - Call maintenance, do NOT attempt to clean.
Pulse Correct Ans - the pressure of blood pushing against the wall
of an artery as the heart beats and rests; (peripheral) a throbbing sensation
that can be palpated over a peripheral artery, such as the radial or carotid
arteries
Sites for taking a Pulse Correct Ans - Radial, temporal, carotid,
brachial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, apical pulse
Radical Pulse Correct Ans - base of the thumb
Temporal Pulse Correct Ans - side of the forehead
Carotid Pulse Correct Ans - side of neck (palpate only one side)
Brachial Pulse Correct Ans - inner aspect of elbow
Femoral Pulse Correct Ans - inner aspect of upper thigh
Popliteal Pulse Correct Ans - behind the knee
Dorsalis Pedis Pulse Correct Ans - top of the foot
Apical Pulse Correct Ans - over the apex of the heart (taken with a
stethoscope)
Factors Affecting the Pulse Correct Ans - age, blood loss, position:
lying to sitting or standing, drugs, illness, emotions, exercise, temperature,
physical training, gender
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