Vital Sign Ranges
What is the normal adult blood pressure range?
90-100 systolic/60-79 diastolic mmHg
Using a cuff that is too small will make the BP read ________.
Falsely high
HR 128 - name the condition
Tachycardia
You get a BP of 88/50 on a patient who looks fine. What should you do first?
Recheck BP manually; verify technique
Which pulse site is best for checking circulation in the lower extremities?
Dorsalis pedis or posterior tibialis
What is the normal adult heart rate?
60-100 bpm
If the patient talks during the BP measurement, the reading may be _________.
Falsely high.
RR 8 - name the condition.
Bradypnea
Temp 102.8 F - what is your first nursing action?
Administer antipyretic (if ordered)
The arm must be at ________ level for accurate BP.
Heart level
What is the normal oral temperature range?
96.8 F to 100.4 F
Counting respirations while staring directly at the patient may cause them to _________.
Alter their breathing.
BP 168/98 - name the condition.
Hypertension
You feel an irregular radial pulse. What should you do next?
Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute.
What trick helps you count respirations without the patient noticing?
Pretend to check the pulse while counting respirations
What is the normal oxygen saturation for a healthy adult?
95% - 100%
Cold fingers can cause the pulse ox reading to be ________.
Falsely low or unable to be read.
Temp 95.2 F - name the condition
Hypothermia
SpO2 86% - what is your priority action?
Apply oxygen (per protocol)
Name one alternative site for pulse ox besides the finger.
Earlobe, forehead, toe, bridge of nose, sole of the foot (in infants)
What is the normal respiratory rate in a healthy adult?
12-20 bpm (breaths per minute)
Drinking hot or cold liquids before an oral temp causes readings to be ________.
Inaccurate.
BP 82/50, HR 132, RR 30 - what condition can be occurring?
Sepsis
Patient's HR jumps from 88 to 132 in 10 minutes. What is your first step?
Which temperature route is most accurate?
Rectal