Vital Signs - Answers 1. They provide a baseline of data which will compare to future findings
2. Identify trends, and patterns that may indicate a change in a clients' condition
3. These vital signs will guide treatment decisions and nursing interventions
4. Use these vital signs to evaluate the outcomes of nursing interventions, medications, and
treatments
Different Vital Signs - Answers 1. Blood pressure
2. Heart rate/pulse
3. Body temperature
4. Respirations
5. Oxygen saturation
6. Pain
Blood pressure (BP) - Answers A measurement of force or pressure, of the circulating blood on the
interior walls of the blood vessel (artery)
Heart rate/pulse - Answers The rhythmic dilation of the arteries that occurs with the beating of the
heart
Body temperature (Temp) - Answers The balance of heat produces by the body and the heat lost to
the environment
Respiratory Rate (RR) - Answers The number of breaths taken per minute
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) - Answers The estimated percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen
in red blood cells, indicating the amount of oxygen being transported to body tissues
Vocab: - Answers 1. Brady
2. Tachy
3. Hypo
4. Hyper
5. Card-
6. Pne-
Brady - Answers Slow
Tachy - Answers Fast
Hypo - Answers Low
Hyper - Answers High
Card- - Answers Has to deal with the muscle
Pne- - Answers Has to deal with the lungs
Systolic BP - Answers The maximum amount of pressure in the artery upon ventricular contraction
Diastolic BP - Answers The minimum amount pressure in the artery when the ventricle is relaxed
Ideal BP? - Answers 120/80
Hypertension - Answers A blood pressure above the expected reference range
Stage 1 hypertension - Answers When the systolic pressure is 130 to 139 mm Hg
Stage 2 Hypertension - Answers When a systolic pressure is greater than 140 mm Hg or the diastolic
pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg
Hypertensive crisis - Answers Occurs when the systolic pressure is greater than 180 mm Hg and/or the
diastolic pressure is greater than 120 mm Hg
Nursing interventions for Hypertension - Answers 1. Treat the cause:
- Stress
- Pain
- Fear
- Medication non-compliance
2. Educate:
- Lifestyle interventions such as exercise, stress reduction techniques, a low-sodium diet, and weight
loss if needed
- Provide the client with information about prescribed antihypertensive medications
Orthostatic Hypotension - Answers 1. Assess for s/sx of hypotension during position changes
2. Instruct pt to use call light and not attempt to stand alone
3. Have the pt sit on the edge of the bed for at least 1 minute prior to standing
4. Assist with ambulation
5. Follow facility guidelines for assessing orthostatic BPs