vital signs: how are vital signs obtained
via palpation of pulse, inspection of respiration, and obtaining blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, temperature, and pain levels
vital signs: why are vital signs obtained
it provides:
vital signs: physiology of normal regulation of body temperature
regulated by:
vital signs: physiology of normal regulation of pulse
it is affected by stroke volume (it is the amount of blood your heart pushes into the artery every time it contracts), cardiac output and compliance (how elastic an artery is which allows blood to flow more easily
vital signs: physiology of normal regulation of respiration
involves three processes:
vital signs: physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure
regulated through:
vital signs: physiology of normal regulation of oxygen saturation
accuracy is dependent upon light transmission and adequate arterial pulsations
vital signs: normal vital signs
temperature - 36-38 degree Celsius (96.8-100.4 degree Fahrenheit) pulse - 60-100 bpm respiration - 12-20 bpm blood pressure - <80 oxygen saturation - 95-100% pain - absence of pain
vital signs: abnormal vital signs
temperature - hypothermia [mild, moderate, severe] - frostbite pulse - tachycardia - bradycardia - dysrhythmia respiration - bradypnea - tachypnea - hyperpnea - apnea - hyperventilation - hypoventilation - cheyne-strokes, kussmaul's [hyperventilation] blood pressure - hypotension - orthostatic hypotension - hypertension
vital signs: abnormal vital signs interventions
infection control: interventions to prevent the spread of infection
Hand hygiene before and after all pt. contact
- When to use hand hygiene: Before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a pt., after touching pt. surroundings
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer: 20-30 seconds
- Soap and water: 40-60 seconds
Visibly soiled
Coming into contact with a pt. that has spore-forming microorganisms
Proper use of supplies
Proper disposal of certain supplies
Good technique of donning and removing PPE
Critical thinking
Artificial nails (don’t have, get them)
infection control: types of isolation
Tier I
- Standard precautions: Don gloves when in contact with bodily fluids or mucous membranes
Tier II
- Contact precautions Ie. Rhino virus, c. diff., MRSA, VRE, MDRO (multi-drug resistant organisms); Don gown and gloves
- Droplet precautions Ie. Pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, shingles, influenza; Don gloves, gown, face mask
- Air-borne precautions Ie. Chicken-pox, tuberculosis; All PPE + N95 mask (Mask is specifically fitted to fit an individual’s face)
infection control: donning and removing PPE
Donning - Gown - Mask - Goggles - Gloves Removing - Gloves - Cap - Goggles - Gown - Mask
infection control: medical asepsis
infection control: surgical asepsis
mobility: purpose of body mechanics
to maintain coordinated efforts of the musculoskeletal and nervous system to maintain balance, posture, and body alignment
to facilitate activities of lifting, bending, moving, and performing ADL’S
to achieve balance via a relatively low center of gravity balanced over a wide base of support
mobility: proper body mechanics
equilibrium maintained as long as center f gravity aligns with base of support
facing direction of movement prevents abnormal twisting of the spine
balanced use of arms and legs reduced risk of back injury
leverage, rolling, and turning and pivoting requires less work than lifting
less friction equals less force needed to move an object
alternating period of rest and activity helps to reduce fatigue and injury
mobility: devices used for positioning
foot boots/splints trochanter rolls wedge pillow side rails trapeze bar hand rolls/splints pillow bed boards
mobility: assessment of mobility
range of joint motion gait activity tolerance - exercise - activity body alignment pain associated with activity
mobility: nursing interventions on musculoskeletal system mobility
perform ROM exercises to improve strength
skin integrity
perform skin assessment, turn patient q2h
mobility: nursing intervention on elimination system mobility
keep pt. hydrated via either drinking or IV fluids
gastrointestinal
provide a high-fiber diet, it encourages digestive movement
mobiity: nursing intervention on psychosocial system mobility
encourage social interactions, regulate sleep-wake cycles
developmental changes
maintain normal development (young)
prevent falls via strength build-up, encourage
mobility: nursing interventions on respiratory system mobility
promote expansion of the chest and lungs
- use incentive spirometer
prevent stasis of pulmonary secretions
mobility: nursing interventions on cardiovascular system mobility
monitor pulse, blood pressure (especially before performing movements)
encourage pt. to breath out during movement
- discourages valsalva maneuver which leads to syncope