MODULE 4: GENRAL SURVEY AND VITAL SIGNS

• General Survey


  Examination of a patient's physical appearance, body structure, mobility, and behavior
• Physical Appearance


  • Age
  • Sex
  • Level of Consciousness
  • Skin Color
  • Facial Features
  • Overall Appearance
• Body Structure


  • Stature
  • Nutrition
  • Symmetry
  • Posture
  • Position
  • Body Build and Contour
• Mobility


  • Gait
  • Range of Motion
• Behavior


  • Facial Expression
  • Mood and Affect
  • Speech
  • Dress
  • Personal Hygiene
• 4 Primary Vital Signs

  • Temperature
  • Pulse
  • Respiration
  • Blood Pressure
• Core Temperature


  Temperature of the deep tissues of the body, measured by oral and rectal temperature

  
• Surface Temperature


  Temperature of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fat, measured by axillary temperature
• Factors Affecting Heat Production

  • Basal Metabolic Rate
  • Muscle Activity
  • Thyroxine Output
  • Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Sympathetic Stimulation
  • Increased temperature of body cells
• Processes Involved in Heat Loss

  • Radiation
  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Evaporation
• Factors Affecting Body Temperature

  • Age
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Exercise
  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Environment
• Pyrexia


  Body temperature above normal range