Jaromahum, Mary Juriel C.

Bs Pharm V1-A

1. Identify the location of pulse points that can be felt on the body. Provide an
illustration.

2. Explain why fever is a defense mechanism of the body.

The mechanism of fever appears to be a defensive reaction by the body
against infectious disease. When bacteria or viruses invade the body and
cause tissue injury, one of the immune systems responses is to produce
pyrogens. These chemicals are carried by the blood to the brain, where they
disturb the functioning of the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that
regulates body temperature. The pyrogens inhibit heat-sensing neurons and
excite cold-sensing ones, and the altering of these temperature sensors
deceives the hypothalamus into thinking the body is cooler than it actually is.
In response the hypothalamus raises the bodys temperature above the
normal range, thereby causing a fever. The above-normal temperatures are
thought to help defend against microbial invasion because they stimulate the

motion, activity, and multiplication of white blood cells and increase the
production of antibodies. At the same time, elevated heat levels may directly
kill or inhibit the growth of some bacteria and viruses that can tolerate only a
narrow temperature range.
3. What are the steps in taking the radial pulse and an apical pulse (using a
stethoscope).
Radial Pulse
Bend your elbow with your arm at your side. The palm of your hand
should be up.
Using your middle (long) and index (pointer) fingers, gently feel for the
radial artery inside your wrist. You will feel the radial pulse beating
when you find it. Do not use your thumb to take the pulse because it
has a pulse of its own.
Count your radial pulse for a full minute (60 seconds). Notice if your
pulse has a strong or weak beat.
Write down your pulse rate, the date, time, and what wrist (right or
left) was used to take the pulse. Also write down anything you notice
about your pulse, such as it being weak, strong, or missing beats.
The radial artery is an easy artery to use when checking your heart
rate during or after exercise.

Apical Pulse

You should sit up or lie down.

Put the tips of the stethoscope into your ears.
Place the diaphragm (disk part) of the stethoscope over your heart. Your
heart is found in the middle of your chest and toward the left side.
Count the beats for a full minute (60 seconds) when you hear your heartbeat.
Notice if your heartbeat sounds strong, weak, or missing beats.
Write down your apical pulse rate and the date and time that your pulse was
taken. Also write down if you feel your heartbeat is not beating as it usually
does.

4. What is orthostatic hypotension?

Orthostatic hypotension, defined as a reduction of systolic blood pressure
(BP) of at least 20 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3
min of standing.

5. Discuss the importance of vital signs measurement in clinical pharmacy.

The importance of vital signs in medical care is a conundrum for proponents of an evidencebased approach to care of patients. No experienced physician would be willing to care for
patients without them, yet a formal evaluation of the utility of vital signs for making specific
diagnoses would conclude that they are not particularly useful because their likelihood ratios
are too low to differentiate those who have a condition from those who do not.

6. Enumerate the factors causing an increase and decrease of the vital signs.
Make a table.

Vital Signs

Factors causing an increase

and decrease of the vital
signs

Body Temperature

Circadian rhythms, age,

hormones, stress,
environmental temperature,
and exercise.

Blood Pressure

Age, exercise, stress, race,

gender, obesity, diurnal
variations and disease
process.

Pulse (heart rate)

Age, gender, exercise, fever,

medication, hypovolemia,
position change, and
pathology.

Breathing rate
(respiratory rate)

Exercise, increase
metabolism, stress,
increased environmental
temperature, lowered
oxygen concentration,
decreased environmental
temperature, certain
medications such as
narcotics and increased intra
cranial pressure.