Key Term Assessment
A. Definitions
Temperature
1.O / 9.H2.G / 10.L
3.D / 11.F
4.J / 12.K
5.M / 13.A
6.E / 14.C
7.N / 15.P
8.B / 16.I
Pulse
1.D / 6.A2.F / 7.G
3.B / 8.C
4.J / 9.E
5.I / 10.H
Respiration and Pulse Oximetry
1.H / 11.C2.D / 12.B
3.R / 13.J
4.K / 14.M
5.N / 15.F
6.P / 16.I
7.A / 17.L
8.S / 18.O
9.Q / 19.E
10.G
Blood Pressure
1.D / 6.J2.F / 7.E
3.B / 8.I
4.G / 9.H
5.A / 10.C
B.Word Parts
Directions: Indicate the meaning of each word part in the space provided. List as many medical terms as possible that incorporate the word part in the space provided.
Word Part / Meaning of Word Part / Medical Terms That Incorporate Word Part1. anti- / against
2. pyr/o / fever
3. -ic / pertaining to
4. -pnea / breathing
5. brady- / slow
6. cardi/o / heart
7. -ia / condition of diseased or abnormal state
8. a- / without or absence of
9. cyan/o / blue
10. -osis / abnormal condition
Word Part / Meaning of Word Part / Medical Terms That Incorporate Word Part
11. dys- / difficult, painful, abnormal
12. eu- / normal, good
13. ex- / outside, outward
14. hyper- / above, excessive
15. hypo- / below, deficient
16. tension / pressure
17. therm/o / heat
18. ox/i / oxygen
19. in- / in, into
20. inter / between
21. cost/o / rib
Word Part / Meaning of Word Part / Medical Terms That Incorporate Word Part
22. al / pertaining to
23. mal / bad
24. meter / instrument
25. orth/o / straight
26. metry / measurement
27. sphygm/o / pulse
28. steth/o / chest
29. scope / to view, to examine
30. tachy / fast
Evaluation of Learning
Temperature
1. Define a vital sign.
Objective guidepost that provides data to determine a patient’s state of health.
2. What are the four vital signs?
Temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; another indicator of a patient’s health status is pulse oximetry.
3. What general guidelines should be followed when measuring vital signs?
Be familiar with the normal ranges for all vital signs, ensure that all equipment for measuring vital signs is in proper working condition, attempt to eliminate or minimize factors that may affect the vital signs, and use an organized approach when measuring the vital signs.
4. List four ways in which heat is produced in the body.
Voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions, cell metabolism, fever, and strong emotional states.
5. List four ways in which heat is lost from the body.
In the urine and feces, moisture droplets from the lungs, perspiration, conduction, convection, and radiation.
6. What is the normal body temperature range?
97° F to 99° F (36.1° C to 37.2° C)
7. What is a fever?
A body temperature that is above normal, or 100.4° F (38° C).
8. How do diurnal variations affect body temperature?
The temperature of the body is lowest in the morning before metabolism and muscle contractions begin increasing.
9. How do emotional states affect the body temperature?
Increase the body temperature.
10. How does vigorous physical exercise affect body temperature?
Increases the body temperature.
11. What symptoms occur with a fever?
The patient has an increased pulse and respiratory rate, is warm to the touch, and has a flushed appearance, increased thirst, loss of appetite, headache, and malaise.
12. Describe the following fever patterns:
a.Continuous fever The body temperature fluctuates minimally but always remains elevated.
b.Intermittent fever The temperature alternately rises and falls and, at times, returns to normal or becomes subnormal.
c.Remittent fever A wide range of temperature fluctuations occurs, all of which are above normal.
13. What is the subsiding stage of a fever?
When the temperature returns to normal.
14. What four sites are used for taking body temperature?
Mouth, axilla, rectum, ear, and forehead.
15. List three instances in which the axillary site for taking body temperature would be preferred over the oral site.
In toddlers and preschoolers, in mouth-breathing patients, and in patients with oral inflammation or who have had oral surgery.
16. Why does the rectal method for taking body temperature provide a very accurate temperature measurement?
The rectum is highly vascular, and, of the five sites, it provides the most closed cavity.
17. When can the rectal method be used to take body temperature?
For infants and young children, unconscious patients, mouth-breathing patients, and when greater accuracy in body temperature is desired.
18. When can the aural method be used to take body temperature?
Children younger than 6 years old, uncooperative patients, and patients who are unable to have their temperature taken orally.
19.How does a temperature taken through the rectal and axillary method compare (in terms of degrees) with a temperature taken through the oral method?
A temperature taken through the rectal method measures approximately 1° F higher than the same temperature taken through the oral method. A temperature taken through the axillary method measures approximately 1° F lower than the same temperature taken through the oral method.
20. List and describe the four types of thermometers available for taking body temperature.
Electronic thermometer: consists of interchangeable oral and rectal probes attached to a battery-operated portable unit.
Tympanic membrane thermometer: consists of a handheld device with a sensor probe.
Temporal artery thermometer: consists of a probe attached to a portable unit.
Chemical thermometer: Contains chemicals that are heat-sensitive; includes disposable single-use thermometers and temperature-sensitive strips.
21. Describe the advantages of a tympanic membrane thermometer.
To prevent the transmission of microorganisms among patients.
22. Explain how a tympanic membrane thermometer measures body temperature.
A tympanic membrane thermometer detects thermal energy that is naturally radiated from the body and calculates body temperature from this energy.
23. The tympanic membrane thermometer should not be used to measure temperature on patients with what type of conditons?
Inflammation of the external ear canal (otitis externa) and the presence of a discharge from the ear such as blood or pus.
24. Explain how to clean the lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer.
Gently wipe the surface of the lens with an alcohol wipe, and immediately wipe it dry with a cotton swab.
25. List two reasons why the temporal artery is a good site to measure body temperature.
The temporal artery is located close to the surface of the skin and is easily accessible. The temporal artery has a constant steady flow of blood, which assists in providing an accurate measurement.
26. How does the temperature obtained through the temporal site compare with oral, rectal, and axillary body temperature?
The temporal artery reading is 1° higher than oral body temperature, about the same as rectal temperature, and 2° higher than axillary body temperature.
27. List four factors that can result in a falsely low temperature reading when using the temporal artery thermometer.
A dirty probe lens, sweating of the forehead, scanning the forehead too quickly, and not keeping the button depressed while scanning the forehead and the area behind the earlobe.
28. Where should a chemical thermometer be stored? Explain why.
Chemical thermometers should be stored in a cool area and should not be exposed to direct sunlight because heat may cause the chemical thermometer to register a higher temperature.
Pulse
1. What causes the pulse to occur?
When the left ventricle of the heart contracts, blood is forced from the heart into the aorta. The aorta is already filled with blood and must expand. This creates a pulse wave that can be felt as a light tap by an examiner.
2. What is the unit of measurement for pulse rate?
Beats per minute.
3. How does physical activity affect the pulse rate?
Increases the pulse rate temporarily.
4. What is the most common site for taking the pulse?
Radial artery.
5. List two reasons for taking the pulse at the apical pulse site.
When difficulty is encountered in feeling the pulse, if the pulse is irregular or abnormally slow or rapid, and to measure pulse in infants and children up to 3 years old because other sites are difficult to palpate in these age groups.
6. Where is the apex of the heart located?
In the fifth intercostal space at the junction of the left midclavicular line.
7. When is the brachial artery used as a pulse site?
To take blood pressure and to measure the pulse rate in infants during cardiac arrest; to assess circulation to the lower arm.
8. When is the carotid artery used as a pulse site?
To measure pulse in children and adults during cardiac arrest; also used by individuals to monitor pulse during exercise.
9. When is the femoral artery used as a pulse site?
To measure pulse in infants and children, to measure pulse in adults during cardiac arrest, and to assess circulation to the lower leg.
10. What two pulse sites can be used to assess circulation to the foot?
Posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis.
11. List two reasons for measuring the pulse rate.
To establish the patient’s baseline recording and to assess the pulse rate after special procedures, medications, or disease processes that affect heart functioning.
12. State the normal range for a pulse rate for an adult.
60 to 100 beats per minute.
13.What is the normal pulse range for the following age groups:
a.Infant 120 to 160 beats per minute.
b.Toddler 90 to 140 beats per minute.
c.Preschooler 80 to 110 beats per minute.
d.School-age 75 to 105 beats per minute.
e.Adult after age 60: 67 to 80 beats per minute.
14. What is the normal pulse range for a well-trained athlete?
40 to 60 beats per minute.
15. What may cause tachycardia?
Hemorrhaging or heart disease, vigorous exercise, and strong emotional states.
16. If the rhythm and volume of a patient’s pulse are normal, the medical assistant records the information as
Regular and strong.
Respiration
1. What is the purpose of respiration?
To provide for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the blood.
2. What is the purpose of inhalation?
To take oxygen into the lungs.
3. What is the purpose of exhalation?
To remove carbon dioxide from the body.
4. What is included in one complete respiration?
One inhalation and one exhalation.
5. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body cells and blood is known as:
Internal respiration.
6. What is the name of the control center for involuntary respiration?
Medulla oblongata.
7. Why must respiration be taken without the patient’s awareness?
Because the patient can control his or her respiration.
8. What is the normal respiratory rate (range) for a normal adult?
12 to 20 respirations per minute.
9. List two factors that can increase the respiratory rate.
Physical activity, strong emotional states, fever, and certain medications.
10. Describe a normal rhythm for respiration.
The rhythm should be even and regular, and the pauses between inhalation and exhalation should be equal.
11. What can cause hyperventilation?
Acute anxiety conditions such as panic attacks.
12. What type of patient may experience hypopnea?
Individuals with sleep disorders.
13. Where is cyanosis first observed?
In the nailbeds and lips.
14. What can cause cyanosis?
In patients with advanced emphysema and in patients during cardiac arrest.
15. What are two conditions in which dyspnea may occur?
Asthma, emphysema, and vigorous physical exertion.
16. Describe the character of normal breath sounds.
Quiet and barely audible.
17. Describe the character of the following abnormal breath sounds:
a.Crackles Dry or wet intermittent sounds that vary in pitch.
b.Rhonchi Deep, low-pitched rumbling sounds that are more audible during expiration.
c.Wheezes Continuous, high-pitched, whistling musical sounds heard during inspiration and expiration.
Pulse Oximetry
1. What is the purpose of pulse oximetry?
To measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood, which provides information on the amount ofoxygen being delivered to the tissues of the body.
2. What is the function of hemoglobin?
Transports oxygen in the body.
3. What is the oxygen saturation level of a healthy individual?
95% to 99%.
4. What can occur if the oxygen saturation level falls between 85% and 90%?
Respiratory failure resulting in tissue damage.
5. List three patient conditions that can cause a decreased SpO2 value.
Acute pulmonary disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and cardiac problems.
6. When can pulse oximetry be used for the short-term continuous monitoring of a patient?
To monitor a patient who experiences an asthmatic attack or to monitor a sedated patient during minor officesurgery.
7. What is the purpose of the pulse oximeter power-on self-test (POST)?
To check the internal systems of the oximeter to ensure that they are functioning properly.
8. What type of site must be used for applying a pulse oximeter probe?
A peripheral site that is highly vascular and where the skin is thin.
9. How can dark fingernail polish cause a falsely low SpO2 reading?
The coating interferes with proper light transmission through the finger.
10. How can patient movement cause an inaccurate SpO2 reading?
Motion affects the ability of the light to travel from the LED to the photodetector and prevents the probe frompicking up the pulse signal.
11. What type of patients may make it difficult to properly align the oximeter probe?
Thin patients, children, and patients with very large fingers such as obese patients.
12. List three conditions that can cause poor peripheral blood flow.
Peripheral vascular disease, vasoconstrictor medications, severe hypotension, and hypothermia.
13. Why must a reusable oximeter probe be free of all dirt and grime before it is used?
Dirt and grime can interfere with proper light transmission leading to an inaccurate reading.
Blood Pressure
1. What does blood pressure measure?
The pressure or force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries in which it is contained.