vital signs

• Vital signs


  Measurements of the body's most basic functions, useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems
• Four main vital signs routinely monitored

  • Body Temperature
  • Pulse Rate
  • Respiration Rate
  • Blood Pressure
• Body temperature


  The physiologic balance between heat produced in body tissues and heat lost to the environment, must remain stable for cellular and enzymatic activities to function efficiently
• Changes in the body's physiology occur when the body temperature fluctuates even 2 to 3°
• Temperature readings reported in health care facilities

  • Rectal temperature
  • Oral temperature
  • Axillary temperature
  • Tympanic temperature
• Abnormal body temperature


  Fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature)
• Using a tympanic membrane thermometer

  1. Place a clean sheath on the probe

  2. Place the probe into the external auditory canal and hold it firmly

  3. Remove the probe and read the indicator

  4. Remove the probe's cover and dispose of it

  5. Record the reading and report any abnormal temperature
• Taking an axillary temperature

  1. Obtain the instrument

  2. Dry the patient's armpit

  3. Place the thermometer into the center of the armpit

  4. Place the patient's arm down tightly over the thermometer

  5. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature

  6. Record the reading and dispose of the thermometer
• Taking a rectal temperature

  1. Obtain the correct thermometer

  2. Put on clean gloves

  3. Assure the patient's privacy and place him or her in the Sim's position

  4. Lubricate the thermometer tip

  5. Separate the patient's buttocks and gently insert the tip of the thermometer into the rectum

  6. Remove the thermometer, read it, and dispose of it

  7. Record the temperature
• Instruments used to measure body temperature

  • Glass thermometer
  • Electronic thermometer
  • Disposable thermometer
  • Tympanic membrane thermometer
  • Temperature-sensitive patches
• Specific body locations where the body temperature are measured

  • Oral site
  • Rectal site
  • Axillary site
  • Tympanic site
• Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion


  (___°C × 9/5) +32=_____ °F
• Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion

  (_____°F - 32) × 5/9 = ___°C
• Pulse rate


  The throb or pulsation of the artery as blood is pumped into the arteries
• Normal average pulse rate

  Adult: 60-90 beats/min, Infant: 120 beats/min, Child 4-10 years: 90-100 beats/min
• Tachycardia


  Abnormally rapid heart rate (over 100 beats/min)
• Bradycardia


  Abnormally slow heart rate (below 60 beats/min)
• Instruments used to measure pulse rate

  • Stethoscope
  • Pulse oximeter
• Assessing the pulse


  1. Place the index and middle fingers over the artery

  2. Count the throbs for 1 minute
• Assessing the apical pulse

  1. Clean the stethoscope

  2. Place the patient in a semi-Fowler's or supine position

  3. Place the stethoscope bladder at the fifth intercostal space 5 cm from the left sternal margin

  4. Count the beats for 1 minute and assess for regular rate and rhythm

  5. Clean the stethoscope again and record the pulse rate
• Respiration rate


  The average rate of respiration (one inspiration and one expiration) for an adult is 15-20 breaths/min, and for an infant is 30-60 breaths/min
• Dyspnea


  When a patient is using more than the normal effort to breathe
• Assessing respiration


  1. Observe the chest wall for symmetry of movement

  2. Observe skin color

  3. Count the number of times the patient's chest rises and falls for 1 full minute
• Blood pressure


  Normally varies with age, gender, physical development, body position, time of day, and health status
• Systolic reading


  The highest point of blood pressure
• Diastolic pressure


  The lowest point of blood pressure
• Measuring blood pressure


  1. Roll up the patient's sleeve

  2. Place the deflated sphygmomanometer cuff around the patient's upper arm

  3. Place the bladder or bell of the stethoscope over the brachial artery

  4. Pump the bulb until the indicator reaches 180 mm Hg or the pulse beat is no longer heard

  5. Slowly release the valve and listen for the first audible pulse beat, then continue listening until the sound changes or is inaudible - this is the diastolic reading
• Sphygmomanometer


  The instrument used to measure blood pressure
• Pulse oximeter


  Frequently used to monitor the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin
• Vital signs


  Measurements of the body's most basic functions, useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems
• Four main vital signs

  • Body Temperature
  • Pulse Rate
  • Respiration Rate
  • Blood Pressure
• Body temperature


  The physiologic balance between heat produced in body tissues and heat lost to the environment
• Changes in the body's physiology occur when the body temperature fluctuates even 2 to 3°
• Types of temperature measurements

  • Rectal (99.6°F)
  • Oral (98.6°F)
  • Axillary (97.6°F)
  • Tympanic (97.6°F)
• Fever


  High temperature
• Hypothermia


  Low temperature
• Tympanic membrane thermometer


  • Also called an aural thermometer, measures the temperature of the blood vessels in the tympanic membrane of the ear
• Glass thermometer


  • Mercury glass thermometer used for measuring oral, rectal and axillary
• Electronic thermometer


  • Used to measure oral, rectal and axillary temperature
• Disposable thermometer


  • Chemical thermometer, color of chemical unit changes to specific temperature