VITAL OR CARDINAL SIGNS

• VITAL SIGNS - ALSO KNOWN AS CARDINAL SIGNS.
• VITAL SIGNS - measurement of the body most basic function.
• VITAL SIGNS - first step in physical assessment.
• FOUR MAIN VITAL SIGNS -

  • TEMPERATIRE
  • PULSE RATE
  • RESPIRATORY RATE
  • BLOOD PRESSURE
• TIME TO ASSESS THE VITAL SIGNS -

  • on admission
  • when client has a change in health status
  • before and after surgery
  • before and after the administration of medication
  • before and after any nursing intervention
• TEMPERATURE - is a measurement of our body ability to make or expel heat.
• THERMUREGULATION CENTER - hypothalamus
• WARM - body blood vessels widen.
• COLD - body blood vessel constrict.
• NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE - is required for the important enzymes in out body to function.
• NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE - extreme high or low temperature can cause metabolic imbalances and can result life-threatening emergencies.
• FACTORS AFFECTING BODY TEMPERATURE -

  • hormonal level
  • environment
  • exercise
  • circadian rhythm
  • illness and infection
• NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE - 36.5 TO 37.5
• FEVER - also called hyperthermia, pyrexia and febrile.
• PULSE RATE - a shock wave produced by the constriction of the heart and forceful pumping of the blood out of ventricles into the aorta.
• PULSE RATE - commonly called arterial or peripheral pulse.
• NORMAL PULSE RATE FOR ADULT - 60 to 100 beats per minute.
• PULSE DEFICIT - condition which apical (heart) pulse rate is greater than the radial pulse rate (hand)
• PULSE RHYTHM - is the regularity of the heartbeat.
• DYSRHYTHMIA - irregular heartbeat.
• PULSE VOLUME - a measurement of the strength or amplitude of force exerted by the ejected blood against the arterial wall with each contraction.
• ARTERIAL ELASTICITY - artery feels straight, resilient and springy.
• BRADYCARDIA - heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
• TACHYCARDIA - heart rate is excess of 100 beats per minute.
• NORMAL TIDAL VOLUME - 500ml.
• RESPIRATORY RATE - RESPIRATION OR act of breathing, rate and character are additional clues to client overall health status.
• NORMAL RESPIRATORY RATE (eupnea) - 12 TO 20 BREATHS PER MINUTE.
• FACTORS AFFECTING RESPIRATIONS -

  • acute pain
  • anxiety
  • smoking
  • body posture
  • medication
• BRADYPNEA - less than 12 breaths per minute.
• TACHYPNEA - greater than 20 breaths per minute.
• APNEA - no respirations or breathing.
• BIOTS RESPIRATION - 2-3 abnormally shallow breaths follow.
• ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE - is the force exerted on the walls of an artery by the pulsing blood under pressure when pumped by the heart.
• NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE - 120/80 mmHg
• SYSTOLIC PRESSURE - maximum peak pressure during ventricular contraction.
• DIASTOLIC PRESSURE - minima pressure during ventricular relaxation.
• ORTHOSTATIC/POSTURAL HYPOTENSION - develop of symptoms and low blood pressure when a normotensive person rises to an upright position.