Blood Pressure
This is the top number in a blood pressure reading and represents pressure during heart contraction.
Systolic Pressure
This is a normal resting pulse range for an adult
60-100 beats per minute
This is the normal oxygen saturation range for a healthy adult.
95%-100%
This is the correct technique for straightening the ear canal in adults when taking a tympanic temperature
Pulling the ear up and back
A patients weight today is significantly different from their last visit, so before reporting it, you should do this first
Reweigh the patient to confirm accuracy
This is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading and represents pressure when the heart is at rest.
Diastolic Pressure
This artery is most commonly used to assess pulse in vital signs
Radial Artery
This common factor can interfere with an accurate pulse ox reading when placed on a finger
Nail polish or artificial nails
This can cause falsely low tympanic temperature readings.
Improper probe placement or not sealing the ear canal
Using a cuff that is too small for the patients arm will cause the blood pressure reading to be falsely this..
Falsely elevated.
When obtaining a pulse oximetry reading while also taking blood pressure, the pulse ox sensor should be placed on this arm.
Opposite arm to the blood pressure cuff
A Medical Assistant should immediately notify the Clinician when a patients oxygen falls below this percentage or if they show signs of respiratory distress.
94% or below
This temperature would be considered a fever when measured using a tympanic thermometer
100 degrees or higher
You take a BP and get 150/90, but the patient just walked in, is talking, and their legs are crossed. What is the most appropriate action?
Wait 5 minutes, correct position, ask patient to have a moment of silence and repeat blood pressure.
Normal pulse range in Peds patients (excluding infants) are typically higher than adults, ranging approximately from this range depending on age.
About 80-130 bpm
A pulse ox reading is 92%, but the patient is asymptomatic. The MA's next step before notifying clinician is to do this.
Recheck the reading and ensure proper placement
This is the correct technique for straightening the ear canal in pediatric patients
Pulling the ear down and back
At what age should we begin checking pediatric patients blood pressure
3 years and older
Placing a pulse ox sensor on the same arm as the BP cuff can cause inaccurate reading because of this.
Restricted blood flow during cuff inflation
A patient has a pulse ox reading of 95%, but the probe is on a cold finger with poor waveform. The MA should do this before reporting the findings.
Warm the finger, reposition the sensor and recheck.
What is a normal range for tympanic temperature in adults and pediatrics
98.6 - 100.4 Degrees Fahrenheit