Vital Signs Flashcards
- are used to measure the body’s basic functions.
- measurements taken to help assess the general physical health of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress toward recovery.
- important indicators of the body’s response to physical, environmental, and psychological stressors.
Vital Signs
Four main vital signs
Body Temperature
Blood Pressure
Pulse
Breathing rate
average of normal body temperatures
37 degrees C
98.6 degrees F
Body temperature is usually lowest in the-
early morning
Body temperature is highest in the-
late afternoon
Normal body temperature changes by as much as-
0.6 degrees C
instrument in measuring body temperature
thermometer
Body temperature can also be measured by a special thermometer inserted into the-
ear canal
Any temperature that is higher than a person’s average body temperature
hyperthermia
elevation is called fever and the patient is said to be
febrile
A drop in normal body temperature
hypothermia
Four sites in the measurement of body temperature
mouth
axilla
ear
rectum
acceptable in awake, adult patients
mouth
acceptable for neonates and small children
axilla
acceptable for both children and adults
ear
for infants and children
rectum
Placed under tongue in either pocket just off-center in lower jaw.
Oral Temperature
Proper technique is essential
Child – pull ear down and back
Fast, easy to use, and preferred in pediatric offices
Tympanic temperature
standard precaution of rectal temperature
gloves
is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of your arteries.
Blood Pressure
unit of blood pressure
mmHg
Three factors that control the Blood Pressure:
Heart
Blood
Vessels
increase heart rate/strength:
decrease heart rate/strength:
increase BP
decrease BP
excessive fluid
loss of fluids
increase BP
decrease BP
vessel constriction
vessel dilation
increase BP
decrease BP
- The first number
- measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pushes blood out to the body.
- left ventricles contract
systolic pressure
- second number
- measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats
- heart relaxes
diastolic pressure
Normal BP for adults
90-140 systolic
60-90 diastolic
Normal BP for children (1-8 y.o.)
80-110 systolic
60-90 diastolic
Normal BP for infants (1-12 mo.)
70-95 systolic
60-90 diastolic
Normal BP for neonates (1-28 days)
> 60 systolic
60-90 diastolic
is the term for increase in the force of ventricular contraction.
Hypertension
- is the term with blood pressure less than 90/60 mm Hg. - Results to low blood volume.
Hypotension
occurs when there is inadequate circulation; oxygen delivery to the tissue is impaired.
Tissue hypoxia
Instruments used in Blood pressure
mercury sphygmomanometer
aneroid sphygmomanometer
electronic sphygmomanometer
tells how fast the heart is beating per minute
Pulse rate
pulse is lower when you are at-
rest
pulse rate increases during-
exercise
normal pulse rate for healthy adults
60-90 beats per minute
Four common site for evaluation of the Pulse Rate
radial artery
brachial artery
femoral artery
carotid artery
most common pulse point
radial artery
are usually used when the blood pressure of the patient is abnormally low.
femoral and carotid artery
above 100 indicate hypoxemia, anxiety, stress
Tachycardia
below 60 indicate heart failure, shock, code of emergency
Bradycardia
A faster than average pulse can indicate such health problems as:
infection, dehydration, stress, anxiety, a thyroid disorder, shock, anemia, or certain heart conditions
A lower than average pulse may also be a sign of a:
heart condition
Normal pulse rate for adults
60-100
Normal pulse rate for children
80-100
Normal pulse rate for infants
100-120
Normal pulse rate for neonates
120-160
A normal respiratory rate is termed:
eupnea
An increased respiratory rate is termed:
over 120 beats/min
tachypnea
A lower than normal respiratory rate is termed:
less than 8 beats/min
bradypnea
is shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
dyspnea
Normal RR for adults
12-20
Normal RR for children
15-30
Normal RR for infants
25-50
Normal RR for neonates
40-60
instrument for RR
stethoscope
Importance of vital signs
The main purpose of recording these signs of an individual is basically to establish a baseline on admission to a clinic hospital, or probably an encounter with a health care provider.
vital sign measurement has proven to be useful for detecting serious diseases
Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems.
They determine which treatment protocols to follow, provide critical information needed to make life-saving decisions, and confirm feedback on treatments performed.
Monitoring your own vital signs may also help yourdoctor determine how effectively your medication is working.
