PHYSICS IN THE

HEALTH SCIENCES

A SCIENCE THAT DEALS WITH THE APPLICATIONS OF MATTER, ENERGY, SPACE

AND TIME IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE AND INJURY.

VITAL SIGNS- Can be observed, measured, and monitored to assess an individual's level of physical functioning.

* Blood pressure* Temperature* Pulse rate* Respiratory rate

BLOOD PRESSURE

-Pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries

-An important diagnostic index, especially of the circulatory function

-Measured in two point: systole (high point) and diastole (low point)

-Measured in terms of mm of Hg using the sphygmomanometer

BLOOD PRESSURE

-Normal Values: 80/45 (infants) 120/80 (30 years old) 140/85 ( 40 years old and over)

-Higher in men than in women and children

-Lowest during sleep

BLOOD PRESSURE

Physics Concepts:

Ideal Gas Law

Force pump

TEMPERATURE

-The degree of body heat

-Results from metabolism (the conversion of food into protein, carbohydrates and fats with the release of energy in the form of heat)

TEMPERATURE

-Temperature regulators in humans and other warm-bloodied animals:

Perspiring – evaporation through pores in the skin Panting – evaporation through pores in the mouth Shivering – activates certain muscles to increase metabolism and thereby warms the body

TEMPERATURE

-Normal values: 37°C (oral) 36.5°C (axilla) 37.5°C (rectum) 37.5°C (tympanic or ear) 34.4°C (forehead/skin) 37.3°C (esophagus)

TEMPERATURE

Physics Concepts:

Thermal expansion

Modes of energy transfer

Energy conservation

Electronic Thermometer

Infrared Ear Thermometers

PULSE

-The rythmic expansion of the arteries resulting from passage of successive surges of blood, produced by the continuing contractions of the heart.

-Measured from the following points:

-Radial artery (wrist)

-Brachial artery (inside of the elbow)

-Carotid artery (either side of the windpipe)

-Apical (apex of the heart)

-Normal value: 60 to 70 beats per minute (adults)

-Ideal gas law-Force pump

RESPIRATION

-The response of the body to cellular needs for oxygen and carbon dioxide elimination.

-One complete cycle is composed of one inhalation and one exhalation.

-Normal values:12 to 20 cycles/minute (adults)15 to 30 cycles/minute (children ages 1 -12 years)25 to 50 cycles/minute (infant – birth to 1 year old)

-Boyle’s law

MEASUREMENT OF MEDICATION

-The correct amount of medication, oxygen concentration, electric stimulation or x-ray radiation may make a difference between life and death.

-Measurement

ADMINISTRATION OF PARENTERAL FLUIDS

-Parenteral Fluids

-Medication or nutrition administered other than by the mouth or the rectum.

-Examples: InjectionsInfusionsImplantations

-Poiseuille’s law-Hydrodynamics-Pressure

Blood TransfusionIV by Gravity Method

OXYGEN THERAPY

-Necessary for enough oxygen in the blood when the lungs cannot any,ore transfer enough oxygen.

-Used for acute health care needs and chronic lung conditions.

-Diffusion

TRACTION

-Used in cases of fracture and spinal injuries to overcome muscle contraction which would produce overriding and misalignment of bones.

-Involves the aplication of regulated weight/s that will serve as pulling force/s.

-Traction force is regulated between 0 and 200 pounds.

-Simple machines (pulley)

-Vectors

Cervical TractionLumbo-sacral TractionRussell Traction

GATCH BED

-A device in health care which utilizes the principle of the screw.Used to regulate the position of the patient’s knees (right crank) and head (left crank).

-Simple machines (screw, axle)

-Mechanical advantage

EGG CRATE MATTRESS

-Designed for additional comfort and pressure relief

-Minimizes bed sores

-Promotes increased air circulation

-Pressure

BODY MECHANICS

-Important in the everyday maintenance of posture, alignment and motion

-Entails good use of the body to get the best results with least effort

-Three rules of good body mechanics:

-Use large muscles whenever possible.

-Keep feet apart for a broad base.

- In lifting, bend knees with the back straight, instead of bending over.

-Equilibrium-Torque

NUTRITION

-Concerned with the effect of food on health and the survival of the human body

-Calorie - Unit for the energy value of food - Equal to 1 kilocalorie in Physics

-Heat of combustion-Energy

Energy Values (Heat of Combustion) of Selected Foods

Food Kcal/g Food Kcal/g

Apples, raw 0.64 Ice cream, plain 2.10

Avocado 1.67 Lard 9.30

Beans, kidney 1.18 Lettuce, leaf 0.20

Beer 0.42 Meat, lean 0.27

Big Mac 2.89 Milk, low fat 0.42

Bread, white 2.66 Milk, whole 0.72

Butter 7.95 Oatmeal, cooked 0.63

Buttermilk 0.37 Orange juice 0.43

Carrots 0.42 Peanuts, roasted 5.73

Cheese, cheddar 3.93 Peas 0.71

Chicken, roasted 1.60 Potatoes, boiled 0.97

Chocolate 5.70 Raisins 2.90

Coffee, black 0.008 Rice, cooked 1.12

Cola, carbonated 0.36 Shrimps, snails, raw 0.91

Corn flakes 3.93 Sirloin, lean 1.66

Cream, 40% 3.81 Sugar, granulated 3.94

Egg, boiled 1.62 Tomato 0.23

Grapes 0.69 Tuna, in oil 1.97

Ham, cooked 2.23 Turnip 0.27

Hamburger, lean 1.63 Wine 0.85

Energy Consumption Rate for Various Activities*

Acitvity Energy Consumption Rate (kcal/min)

Sleeping 1.2

Sitting at rest 1.7

Standing relaxed 1.8

Sitting in class 3.0

Walking slowly (4.8 kph) 3.8

Cycling (13-18 kph) 5.7

Playing tennis 6.3

Swimming breaststroke 6.8

Ice skating (14.5 kph) 7.8

Climbing stairs (116/min) 9.8

Cycling (21 kph) 10.0

Playing basketball 11.4

Cycling, professional racer 26.5

*Normal 76-kg male

Food PyramidFood Exchange in a Diabetic Diet : Very Lean Protein  

One serving have 35 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving. One serving is equals to:

1 ounce Turkey breast or chicken breast, skin removed

1 ounce Fish fillet (flounder, sole, scrod, cod, etc.)

1 ounce Canned tuna in water

1 ounce Shellfish (clams, lobster, scallop, shrimp)

3/4 cup Cottage cheese, non fat or low fat

2 each Egg whites

1/4 cup Egg substitute

1 ounce Fat-free cheese

1/2 cup Beans- cooked (black beans, kidney, chick peas or lentils): count as 1 starch/bread and 1 very lean protein

HOT AND COLD APPLICATIONS

Cold Compress

-Used to check hemorrhage, prevents edema and produces anesthesia

-Reduces fever

-Helpful when applied immediately after sprain or strain

-Apply during the first 24 to 48 hours of injury

Hot Compress

-Usually reduces pain and muscle spasm

-Promotes healing

-Reduces congestion in one body area by increasing the blood flow in another area

-Must not exceed 43°C

-Apply after 24 to 48 hours of injury

To Reduce Sweling and Pain:

Rest – reduce the activities of daily living, refrain from weight bearing

Ice – apply ice pack for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times daily

Compression – bandage or splint the injured body part

Elevation – keep above the level of the heart to help reduce swelling

HeatFluid flowGravity

OPERATING ROOM

Monitors: heart rate, respirationSafety Devices: conductive floors, conductive shoes,cintercouplers, non-sparkling switchesDiffusion: anesthetics, oxygenAir Pressure: suctionMagnetism: removal of metal slivers

PATIENT’S ROOM

Thermal coefficient of expansion: temperature readingsDetermination of blood pressureMeasurement of medicationsPoiseuille’s law: administration of parenteral fluidsIrrigationsDiffusion: oxygen therapyGas laws: mechanics of breathingRespirationPulleys, vectors: tractionGravity: postural drainageBody mechanicsMechanical advantage, screw and axle: Gatch bedAir pressure: injections, syringeVital lung capacityAir mattress

INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Monitors: ECG, EEG, EMGPacemakerSuctionArtificial kidneyHeart-lung machineUnderwater drainagePlethysmograph

CLINICAL LABORATORY

Auto-analyzer: analysis of body fluids and electrolytesInertia: centrifugeDensity: hydrometerWeight & Volume: solutions

SPECIAL AREAS

Frequencies, Decibels: audiometryHigh Frequency DiathermyAutoclaveThermographyHypothermiaRehabilitation: prosthesesOphtalmoscopy

RADIOLOGY

X-ray diagnosisX-ray TherapyCobalt TherapyRadioisotopesRadioactive iodine: MBRRadioisotope Scan: brain, liver, lung, kidneyRadioimmunoassay

REFERENCES:

Hademenos, George. Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Physics for Pre-Med, Biology, and Allied Health Students. U.S.A.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998.

Jensen, Trygve. Physics for the Health Professions. U.S.A.: Delmar Publishers, Inc., 1992.

Nave, Carl and Brenda Nave. Physics for the Health Sciences. Philippines: Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd., 2004.

Urone, Paul Peter. Physics With Health Science Applications. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004.