NURS 226 QUIZ 1 STUDY GUIDE
Normal ranges for vitals
temperature 96.8-100.4F or 36-38C
blood pressure <120/<80
respirations 12-20 breaths/min
oxygen saturation 95-100%
pulse 60-100 bpm
What is critical thinking
open-mindedness, continual inquiry, and perseverance
combined with a willingness to look at each unique patient situation and determine
which identi ed assumptions are true and relevant
Critical thinking skills
1. Determining that a vital sign is normal or abnormal based upon further
assessment of the patient
2. being able to determine how often a patient should be reassessed
3. knowing when a situation requires immediate action or when it can wait
How to develop your critical thinking
1. journaling
2. discussing with colleagues
3. re ecting
Modes of taking temp
Oral: easy, cheap, but mouth movement required
Axillary: easy noninvasive, inaccurate, takes long
Skin
Tympanic: rapid, accurate, but wax and aids
Rectal: reliable rapid, pushback and stool
Temporal: noninvasive, no probe, rapid, sweat
Heat exhaustion
uid de cit, still sweating!
low electrolytes
faint/dizzy
fl fl fi fi
, cool, pale, clammy
rapid weak pulse
heat stroke
medical emergency
temp over 104 (40)
hot, dry skin
confusion, LOC, HA
rapid strong pulse
no heat loss mechanism,s
Pulse de cit
difference between the apical and radial pulse rates
Modes of taking pulse
Apical
Radial
Ulnar
Femoral
Popliteal
Pedalis
Brachial
Carotid
When do you need to check the apical pulse?
1. weak or irregular radial
2. Tachy or Brady
3. Patient on cardiac meds
4. Infants 3-4
5. Dyspnea, Pallor, Cyanosis, Syncope, Palpations
Classi cations of pulse
Rate: Tachy over 100
Brady under 60
Strength: 0: none
1: weak
2: regular
3: strong
fi fi
Normal ranges for vitals
temperature 96.8-100.4F or 36-38C
blood pressure <120/<80
respirations 12-20 breaths/min
oxygen saturation 95-100%
pulse 60-100 bpm
What is critical thinking
open-mindedness, continual inquiry, and perseverance
combined with a willingness to look at each unique patient situation and determine
which identi ed assumptions are true and relevant
Critical thinking skills
1. Determining that a vital sign is normal or abnormal based upon further
assessment of the patient
2. being able to determine how often a patient should be reassessed
3. knowing when a situation requires immediate action or when it can wait
How to develop your critical thinking
1. journaling
2. discussing with colleagues
3. re ecting
Modes of taking temp
Oral: easy, cheap, but mouth movement required
Axillary: easy noninvasive, inaccurate, takes long
Skin
Tympanic: rapid, accurate, but wax and aids
Rectal: reliable rapid, pushback and stool
Temporal: noninvasive, no probe, rapid, sweat
Heat exhaustion
uid de cit, still sweating!
low electrolytes
faint/dizzy
fl fl fi fi
, cool, pale, clammy
rapid weak pulse
heat stroke
medical emergency
temp over 104 (40)
hot, dry skin
confusion, LOC, HA
rapid strong pulse
no heat loss mechanism,s
Pulse de cit
difference between the apical and radial pulse rates
Modes of taking pulse
Apical
Radial
Ulnar
Femoral
Popliteal
Pedalis
Brachial
Carotid
When do you need to check the apical pulse?
1. weak or irregular radial
2. Tachy or Brady
3. Patient on cardiac meds
4. Infants 3-4
5. Dyspnea, Pallor, Cyanosis, Syncope, Palpations
Classi cations of pulse
Rate: Tachy over 100
Brady under 60
Strength: 0: none
1: weak
2: regular
3: strong
fi fi
