8: Vital Signs 🩸 Flashcards
Understand vital signs and the issues diagnosis that may come along with them.
Anisocoria
Unequal Pupil Sizes
Mydriasis
Dilated or Enlarged Pupils
Miosis
Constricted or Small Pupils
Normal Blood Pressure Range
Normal: Between (90-120)/(60-80)
Hypertension (and the rate)
Blood Pressure More Than 120/80
Hypotension (and the rate)
Blood Pressure Less Than 90/60
P.E.R.R.L.
Pupils are Equal, Round, & Reactive to Light
Six Standard Vitals
- Blood Pressure (mmHg)
- Heart Rate (bpm)
- Respiratory (breaths per minute)
- Skin/Temperature (°F)
- Blood Oxygen (%)
- Pupils (Flash Light/mm)
History of Present Illness (HPI)
- General Information (Age/Sex/Weight)
- Signs & Symptoms
- General Health Status
- Past Medical History
- Medications
- Allergies
Quality vs. Rhythm
Quality = Strong or Weak
Rhythm = Regular or Irregular
Fever (°F)
Over 100 (°F)
Normal Body Temperature (°F)
97(°F) to 99(°F)
Mottling
A “marbled” or “patchy” appearance to the skin, may include red or purple. Indicates a lack of blood flow.
Normal Blood Oxygen (%)
94% to 99%
Hyperglycemia
High Blood Glucose (Sugar)
Hypoglycemia
Low Blood Glucose (Sugar)
Systolic Blood Pressure
The pressure within the arteries DURING contraction of the heart. (The top number in a blood pressure reading).
Diastolic Blood Pressure
The pressure within the arteries IN-BETWEEN contractions of the heart. (The bottom number in a blood pressure reading).
Wide Pulse Pressure
When the difference between systolic and diastolic readings is greater than 50% of the systolic blood pressure reading.
Narrow Pulse Pressure
When the difference between the systolic and diastolic readings is less than 25% of the systolic blood pressure readings.
Pulse Pressure
The difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Capillary Refill
A measurement of how long it takes for your capillary bed to refill after being squeezed.
*Mostly for pediatric patients
*Should take 2 seconds to refill
Normal Glucose Levels (mg/DL)
Between 70-140mg/DL
*Some sources say 80-120mg/DL
Bradypnea (Bray-DIP-nee-uh)
(and it’s rate)
Slow Breathing (under 12 bpm)
*for adults
Tachypnea (Tuh-KIP-nee-uh)
(and it’s rate)
Rapid Breathing (over 20 bpm)
*for adults
Normal Respiratory Rates (Adults, Children, Toddlers & Infants)
Adults: 12-20 bpm
Children: 18-30 bpm
Toddlers: 24-40 bpm
Infants: 30-60 bpm
Normal Heart Rates (Adults, Children & Infants)
Adults: 60-100 BPM
Children: 80-120 BPM
Infants: 100-180 BPM
Tachycardia (Adults, Children & Infants)
Adults: Over 100 BPM
Children: Over 120 BPM
Infants: Over 180 BPM
Bradycardia (Adults, Children & Infants)
Adults: Under 60 BPM
Children: Under 80 BPM
Infants: Under 100 BPM
Pertinent Negatives
Anything relative to the chief complaint that the patient denies.
Trending
Routine monitoring and assessment to identify changes
Chief Complaint
The primary reason why the patient called the EMS
S.A.M.P.L.E.
S = Signs & Symptoms
A = Allergies
M = Medication
P = Past Medical History
L = Last Eaten/Consumed
E = Events Leading
O.P.Q.R.S.T.
O = Onset (“What were you doing when…”)
P = Provocation (“What provokes and makes it worse?”)
Q = Quality (“How would you describe the pain?”)
R = Radiation (“Does the pain radiate/move anywhere else?”)
S = Severity (“Rate from 0-10”)
T = Time (“When did the pain begin?”)
Associated Symptoms
Anything the patient complains about in addition to the chief complaint.
Glucometry
Assessment of the blood glucose levels.
Pallor or Pale
Pale skin, often associated with low blood flow/circulation
Perfusion
Adequate flow of blood to the body and tissues.
Shock
Not enough circulation of blood throughout the body.
Flushed or Rubor
Redness, often comes with fever, swelling, or excessive heat
