PHARM 100 IMM - Vital Signs Test Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update

PHARM 100 IMM - Vital Signs Test Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update Why do we monitor body temperature? - Answers - To screen for illness and infection - Make clinical decisions regarding diagnosis and initiation of medical therapy - Monitoring endpoint for assessing patient response to drug therapy What is considered normal ORAL body temperature? - Answers 36.5 C to 37.5 C How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit? - Answers F = (9/5 x C) + 32 How do you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius? - Answers C = (F - 32) * 5/9 What is considered a fever (oral)? - Answers Greater than 37.5 C What is considered a fever (rectal)? - Answers Greater than 38 C What temperature is considered hyperpyrexia (oral)? - Answers Greater than 41.0 C What temperature is considered hyperpyrexia (rectal)? - Answers Greater than 41.5 C What temperature is considered hypothermia (oral)? - Answers Less than 35.0 C What temperature is considered hypothermia (rectal)? - Answers Less than 35.5 C How is rectal temperature different from oral temperature readings? - Answers 0.5 C higher How is axilla/temporal temperature different from oral temperature readings? - Answers 0.5 C to 1.0 C lower How is tympanic temperature different from oral temperature readings? - Answers 0.5 C to 1.0 C higher than oral What routes can be used with a digital thermometer? - Answers Oral, rectal and axilla What are the advantages of using a digital thermometer? - Answers - Cost effective - Readily available - Fairly quick (10s) - Can be used for multiple routes What are the disadvantages of using a digital thermometer? - Answers Invasive What are the advantages of using a tympanic thermometer? - Answers - Non-invasive - Immediate results - Validated in sedated patients What are the disadvantages of using a tympanic thermometer? - Answers - Expensive - Difficult to use in young infants (EAC curves upwards) - Accuracy depends on correct technique - Not as accurate as rectal How does a tympanic thermometer work? - Answers Uses a sensor probe to measure infrared heat produced by tympanic membrane (shares its blood supply with the hypothalamus) Why is technique important when taking temperature with a tympanic thermometer? - Answers Probe needs to be positioned in the external auditory canal (EAC) at the appropriate angle to get an accurate reading - the position of this changes with age How does a temporal artery thermometer work? - Answers Measures naturally emitted infrared heat from the temporal artery What routes can you use a temporal artery thermometer in? - Answers forehead and axilla What are the advantages of using a temporal artery thermometer? - Answers - Non-invasive - More accurate than tympanic (less accurate than rectal) What are the disadvantages of using a temporal artery thermometer? - Answers - Expensive - requires skin contact - not readily available How does a infrared contactless thermometer work? - Answers Uses a sensor probe to measure infrared emitted heat What are the advantages of using a infrared contactless thermometer? - Answers - non-invasive - non-contact (prevent cross contamination) - immediate results What are the disadvantages of using a infrared contactless thermometer? - Answers - Expensive - Accuracy dependent on technique (every device has different instructions) How does a forehead thermometer work? - Answers A plastic strip is held against the forehead for 1 to 2 minutes and will change colour according to temperature What are the advantages of using a forehead thermometer? - Answers - Non-invasive - Inexpensive - Can be used from birth What are the disadvantages of using a forehead thermometer? - Answers - Inaccurate readings What is the function of the basal thermometer? - Answers Used to predict ovulation (highest fertility is 2-3 days before basal body temperature rises) How should an individual be instructed to use a basal temperature? - Answers Take basal temperature immediately upon waking up (before doing anything else). And use the same route/routine each time. What routes can be used with a basal thermometer? - Answers Oral, vaginal, rectal What are the advantages of using a basal thermometer? - Answers inexpensive