maternal vital signs Flashcards
what do vital signs measure
homeostasis
meows chart
Visual documentation of vital signs
Designed with parameters suitable for maternity
Colour coded
Add up a total at the end to provide a MEOWs score -
should be 0
Calculated electronically with digitalised systems -
though you may see some midwives utilising a paper
copy in complex cases
temperature
Achieved by a balance between heat gain and heat loss, and
is regulated by the hypothalamus (which acts like the body’s
thermostat).
Ranges
Normal obstetric range: 36.1C - 37.4C
High: Above 37.4C - Pyrexia
Low: Below 35.0C - Hypothermia
how is temperature assessed
Oral thermometer - inserting into mouth, under tongue
Tympanic thermometer - ‘scanning’ probe into ear
Infrared thermometer - scanning skin’s surface
Rectal - inserting probe into rectum
Axilla - placing probe under arm
what is a pulse
A pressure wave transmitted through arteries as a result of
contraction of the heart.
Components assessed: Rate, strength and pattern
Ranges
Normal obstetric range: 60 - 100bpm
High: Above 100bpm - Tachycardia
Low: Below 60bpm - Bradycardia
how is pulse assessed
pulse oximeter
what is blood pressure
Pressure exerted (by blood) on the walls of blood vessels
Systolic - highest pressure as the heart beats and forces blood into
circulation. Determined by stroke volume and force of contraction
Diastolic - pressure that blood exerts on walls of vessels between
each beat
Ranges
Normal obstetric range: Systolic 100 - 140mmHg Diastolic 60 - 90mmHg
High: Hypertension 140/90 or above
Low: Hypotension
what is respiratory rate
The number of breaths an individual takes within one minute.
Respirations enable intake of oxygen for metabolic function,
and elimination of carbon dioxide (a by-product of metabolic
processes).
Inspiration - Breathing in. Contraction of diaphragm and muscles,
forcing air into lungs
Expiration - Breathing out. Passive as lungs recoil and relax
Components assessed include: Rate, depth and pattern
what is a normal , high and low respiration rate
Ranges
Normal obstetric range: 12 - 20rpm
Should usually be silent
High: Above 20rpm - Tachypnoea
Low: Below 12rpm - Bradypnoea
saturation
Hearth 3D Icon
What is it?
This is the measurement of how much haemoglobin is bound
to oxygen, compared to how much haemoglobin remains
unbound - essentially, the level of oxygen in the blood.
Ranges
Normal obstetric range: 96% - 100%
how is saturation assessed
Painless process, placing saturations probe on a chosen site;
Finger
Toe
Ear - less commonly seen
Probes shine 2 lights through tissues;
Red light - absorbed more by lesser-oxygenated blood
Infrared light - absorbed more by highly oxygenated blood
what is response
Assessment
AVPU;
Alert - awake & holding conversation
Voice - response when spoken to, but drowsy
Pain - only responds to pain stimulus (e.g. sternal rub)
Unresponsive - no response at all
urinalysis
Testing of the physical characteristics and composition of
freshly voided urine - ideally midstream sample.
how is urine assessed
Visual inspection of urine;
Colour - concentration, blood, diet
Clarity - cloudy if left to stand or if infection
Odour - infection (offensive) or ketones (sweet)
