1. Edema Lower Leg: excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissue of the extremity.
• Grading scale:
1+ barely detectable
2+ indentation of less than 5mm
3+ indentation of 5 to 10mm
4+ indentat
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1. Edema Lower Leg: excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissue of the extremity.
• Grading scale:
1+ barely detectable
2+ indentation of less than 5mm
3+ indentation of 5 to 10mm
4+ indentation of greater than 10mm
2. Blood pressure: the pressure of blood in the circulatory system measured by systolic over diastolic
• Average blood pressure readings:
Newborn: (1 year): 65-90/30-60mm Hg; (6 years): 87-117/48-64mm Hg
Adolescent: (12 years): 110/65mm Hg; (16 years): 119/75mm Hg
Adult: (18-60 years): <120/80mm Hg
• Checking Orthostatic or Postural hypotension changes: Take blood pressure and pulse with patient SUPINE (lying down forward). Then have patient sit and stand for 1 minute. Retake blood pressure and pulse. Record both sets of numbers. If patient is orthostatic, pressure will decrease (20 to 30mm Hg) and pulse will increase (5 to 25 beats per minute) when sitting or standing. Observe for dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness. Remember patient safety. Record what was found
• Korotkoff sounds: sounds of blood pressure
Phase I Systole : sharp thud
Phase II Systole : Swishing sound
Phase III Systole : low thud or knocking
Phase IV Diastole : begins fading
Phase V Diastole: silence
• Cuff should be 20% wider than the diameter of the limb
• Creating a FALSE HIGH reading
Having the cuff that is too narrow
Having a cuff that is too loose
Deflating the cuff to slowly
Having the arm below the heart
Having the arm unsupported
• Creating a FALSE LOW reading
Having a cuff that is too wide
Having a cuff that is too tight
Deflating the cuff too quickly
Having the arm above the heart
• Technique for taking BP in the leg- use popliteal artery. Systolic usually 10-40mm HG higher than using brachial; diastolic remains the same.
3. Rectal Temperature: insert lubricated thermometer probe with probe cover in place into rectum 1-1 ½ inches
(2.5-3.5 cm) toward umbilicus. Reading is usually 0.9oF lower than oral temperature.
• Advantage: Very reliable
• Disadvantage: may lag behind core temperature during rapid changes
Should not be used for those with diarrhea or who have had rectal surgery
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