Exam 1 RNSG 1216 Vital Signs Exam Questions With Correct Answers

What are the principles and mechanisms of thermoregulation? - Answer regulation of balance between heat lost and heat produced Neural and Vascular Control Heat Production Heat Loss Neural and Vascular Control (mechanism of thermoregulation) - Answer hypothalamus controls heat loss and heat production Anterior hypothalamus controls? - Answer heat loss Posterior hypothalamus controls? - Answer heat production What are nursing measures that promote heat loss? - Answer antibiotics are administered to destroy pyrogenic bacteria 2.)tepid sponge baths bathing with alcohol water solutions, applying ice packs to axillae and groin areas, water cooled blankets What are nursing measures that promote heat conservation? - Answer removing wet clothing replacing with dry clothes wrapping the patient in blankets move them to a warm room. What are physiological changes associated with fever? - Answer When trying to reach a new set point, the patient experiences chills, shivering, and feeling cold. This phase resolves when a new set point (high temp) is achieved. The plateau: chills subside and the person feels warm and dry If new set point is "overshot", set point drops which initiates heat loss responses. Skin becomes warm and flushed (vasodilation) Diaphoresis assists in evaporative heat loss How do you assess body temperature? - Answer taking an oral, rectal, temporal, axillary and tympanic temperature with a thermometer How do you assess pulse? - Answer -Pulse is most easily felt at a pulse point where a major artery lies near the surface and can be pressured gently against a bone or solid organ -If a pulse is present you will need to palpate (feel) the pulse What are some sites that pulse can be taken in the upper extremity? - Answer temporal carotid apical brachial radial What are some sites that pulse can be taken in the lower extremity? - Answer ulnar femoral popliteal posterior tibial dorsalis pedis How do you assess respirations? - Answer after taking your pulse rate begin to count the respirations of the patient for a full minute How do you assess oxygen saturation? - Answer place a pulse oximeter on the patients finger earlobe or bridge of adults nose or the sole of infants foot How do you assess blood pressure? - Answer use a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope to take the blood pressure use the two step process by finding auscultatory gap then going 30 units of pressure up and taking the blood pressure What is the physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure? - Answer cardiac output peripheral resistance blood volume viscosity elasticity cardiac output (physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure) - Answer as this increases, more blood is pumped against arterial walls, causing a rise in BP. peripheral resistance (physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure) - Answer resistance to blood flow determined by the tone of vascular musculature and diameter of blood vessels. As resistance rises, arterial BP rises. When vessels dilate and resistance falls, BP falls. blood volume (physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure) - Answer increase in blood volume exerts more pressure against arterial walls.