FOR TAKING VS

• Vital signs are a measurement of the body’s most basic functions such as body temperature, pulse rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
• Thermometer – a device used in measuring body core temperature.
• Glass and Mercury Thermometer (GMT): The old device, although it gives an accurate reading, the use of this is no longer recommended due to the risk of mercury poisoning.
• Digital Thermometer (DT): Read the fastest with the same accuracy as GMT. Widely used because of its safety, and availability in local pharmacies. It is battery-operated and ensures that batteries are charged for an accurate reading.
• Infrared Thermometer: A type of thermometer that measures temperature from a distance (noncontact). Yet, readings may not be accurate because the reflection of radiation from a much hotter body including the one holding the device may be measured instead of the person being measured resulting in an inaccurate reading
• Tympanic/Ear Thermometer: Uses infrared technology in reading temperature. It’s fast and convenient, especially for children. The reading may not be accurate especially if there is too much presence of wax in the ear.
• Stethoscope – an instrument for auscultation or listening to sounds produced by the body such as lung, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and even fetal heart sounds.
• Sphygmomanometer – an instrument measuring blood pressure along with the use of the stethoscope in listening to the knocking sound while observing the values in the sphygmomanometer.
• Mercury Sphygmomanometer: Advantages: Simple and durable, and produce accurate readings without any readjustments or recalibrations. Disadvantages: Bulky, and must be carefully handled preventing damage to the tube contained with mercury. This is not suitable for household use and may be difficult for a person with hearing and visual disabilities. Reading must be done at a flat surface at eye level.
• Aneroid Sphygmomanometer: Advantages: Portable and cheaper, and can be placed at any position for easy reading. Disadvantages: Delicate and risky for bumping or dropping the gauge. Needs regular checks of its internal mechanism for recalibration may be necessary for an accurate reading. People with visual, and/or hearing disabilities may not use this device
• Digital Sphygmomanometer: Advantages: Very compact and portable. Extremely easy to use, and preferred for home monitoring. Disadvantages: Very delicate and must be handled with care. Repairing for damage may be complicated and commonly serviced by the manufacturer only. May produce inaccurate readings, thus cross-checking with conventional sphygmomanometer is recommended.
• Watch with second hand – heart, pulse, and breath rate per minute are measured through the use of a watch with second hand.
• Pulse Oximetry – the main function of this device is to measure the amount of oxygen level in the blood, but it doesn’t just measure the oxygen saturation level but also pulse rate.