EMS Vital Signs Flashcards
Pulse That’s Rapid, Regular, and Full
Indicates Exertion, Fright, Fever, High Blood Pressure, First Stage Blood Loss
Pulse That’s Rapid, Regular, and Thready
Indicates Shock, Later Stages of Blood Loss
Slow Pulse
Indicates Head Injury, Drugs, Poisons, Heart Problems, Lack of Oxygen in Children
No Pulse
Indicates Cardiac Arrest
High Blood Pressure
Indicates Medical Condition, Exertion, Fright, Emotional Distress, Excitement
Low Blood Pressure
Indicates Athletic or Normally Low Blood Pressure, Blood Loss, Late Sign of Shock
Cold and Moist Skin
Sign of Shock, Anxiety, or Loss of Body Heat
Cold and Dry Skin
Exposure to Cold
Goose Pimples With Shivering, Chattering Teeth, Blue Lips
Communicable Disease, Exposure to Cold, Pain, Or Fear
Hot Skin, Dry or Moist
High Fever or Heat Exposure
Pink Skin
Normal in Light Skinned Patients, Inner Eyelids, Lips, and Nailbeds or Dark Skinned Patients
Pale Skin
Constricted Blood Vessels from Blood Loss, Shock, Hypotension, Emotional Distress
Cyanotic Skin (Blue-Gray)
Lack of Oxygen in Blood Cells and Tissue from Inadequate Breathing or Heart Function
Flushed Skin (Red)
Exposure to Heat or Emotional Excitement
Jaundiced Skin (Yellow)
Abnormalities of the Liver
Mottled Skin (Blotchy)
Seen Occasionally in Patients with Shock, Especially Children and the Elderly
Adult/Adolescent Respiratory Rate
12-20 Respirations Per Minute
6-12 Years Old Respiratory Rate
15-30 Respirations Per Minute
6 Months - 5 Years Old Respiratory Rate
20-30 Respirations Per Minute
0 - 5 Months Old Respiratory Rate
25-40 Respirations Per Minute
Newborn Respiratory Rate
30-60 Respirations Per Minute
Snoring
Indicates Airway Blocked, Open Patients Airway, Prompt Transport
Wheezing
Indicates Medical Problem Such as Asthma, Assist Patient in Taking Prescribed Medication, Prompt Transport
Gurgling
Indicates Fluid in Airway, Suction Airway, Prompt Transport
Crowing
Indicates Medical Problem That Can’t be Treated on Scene, Prompt Transport
Normal Pulse Oximeter Reading
96%-100%
Mild Hypoxia
91%-95%
Moderate Hypoxia
86%-90%
Severe Hypoxia
85% or Less
Dilated Pupils
Fright, Blood Loss, Drugs, Prescription Eye Drops
Constricted Pupils
Drugs, Prescription Eye Drops
Unequal Pupils
Stroke, Head Injury, Artificial Eye, Prescription Eye Drops
Lack of Reactivity in Pupils
Drugs, Lack of Oxygen to the Brain
Adult Systolic Blood Pressure
120 or Less
Adolescent Systolic Blood Pressure
88-140 (114)
6-12 Years Old Systolic Blood Pressure
80-122 (105)
3-5 Years Old Systolic Blood Pressure
78-104 (99)
Infants/Children Systolic Blood Pressure
2 x Age + 80
Adult Diastolic Blood Pressure
80 or Less
Adolescent Diastolic Blood Pressure
(76)
6-12 Years Old Diastolic Blood Pressure
(69)
3-5 Years Old Diastolic Blood Pressure
(65)
Infants/Children Diastolic Blood Pressure
2/3 Systolic
Adult Pulse Rate
60-100
11-18 Years Old Pulse Rate
60-105
6-10 Years Old Pulse Rate
70-110
3-5 Years Old Pulse Rate
80-120
1-3 Years Old Pulse Rate
80-130
6-12 Months Old Pulse Rate
80-140
0-5 Months Old Pulse Rate
90-140
Newborn Pulse Rate
120-160
