Vital Signs

Question 1

What is the normal pulse rate for adults?

Answer 1

60-100 beats per minute

Question 2

What is the quality of pulse/heart rates?

Answer 2

1. The rate: is it fast or slow?
2. The strength: is it absent (0), thready (1+), weak (2+), strong (3+) or bounding (4+)
3. Is it regular or irregular?

Question 3

What is the rationale for pulse/heart rate?

Answer 3

1. To check the heart function: if the heart is pumping enough oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
2. To check for tachycardia (heart beating too fast)
3. To check for bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Question 4

What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

Answer 4

12-20 breaths per minute

Question 5

What is the quality of a respiratory rate?

Answer 5

1. Rate: deep or shallow
2. Regular or irregular

Question 6

What is the rationale of respiratory rate?

Answer 6

1. Tachypnoea (breathing is fast)
2. Bradypnea (abnormally slow breathing rate)

Question 7

What is the normal temperature range for adults?

Answer 7

36-38 degrees Celsius

Question 8

What is the quality of temperature?

Answer 8

1. Hyperthermia: temperature too high—too hot
2. Hypothermia: temperature too low—-too cold

Question 9

What is the rationale for temperature?

Answer 9

1. To check for fever and infection.
2. Hypothermia can cause the heart and respiratory system to fail.

Question 10

What is the normal blood pressure for adults?

Answer 10

1. A normal systolic range for adults is 90-140 millimetres of mercury.
2. A normal diastolic range for adults is 60-90 millimetres of mercury.

Question 11

What is the quality and rationale of blood pressure?

Answer 11

1. To check for hypertension (high blood pressure)
2. To check for hypotension (low blood pressure)
3. To check cardiovascular health