Vital Signs

Question 1

What are vital signs?

Answer 1

They are a group of 4 to 6 most important signs that indicate the status of the body’s vital function.
- The normal ranges for a person’s vital signs vary with age, weight, gender, and overall health

Question 2

What are the four primary vital signs?

Answer 2

1) Body Temperature
2) Blood pressure
3) Pulse (HR)
4) Breathing Rate ( RR)
- recorded using the LOINC internationally accepted standard coding system

Question 3

Temperature

Answer 3

• gives an indication of core body temperature whihc is normally tightly controlled as it affects the rate of chemical reactions
• the main reaason for checking body temperature is to solicit any signs of systemic infection or inflammation in the presence of a fever or elevated significantly above the individuals’s normal temperature

(temp greater than 38.5 C / 101.3 F = fever)

Question 4

Heart rate/ pulse (HR)

Answer 4

The pulse or heart rate is the rate at which the heart beats while pumping blood and is commonly taken from the radial artery of the wrist
- The pulse rate can also be measured by listening directly to the heartbeat using a stethoscope

Question 5

What are the average heart rates for the different ages?

Answer 5

A newborn or infant: 130-150 beats per minute

• Toddler: 100-120 times per minute
• Older child’s: 60-100 beats per minute
• Adolescents: 80-100 beats per minute
• Adults’ pulse rate: 50-80 beats per minutes

Question 6

Respiratory rate (RR)

Answer 6

The value of respiratory rate as an indicator of potential respiratory dysfunction has been investigated
- Respiratory rate is a clear indicator of acidotic states, as the main function of respiration is removal of CO2 leaving bicarbonate base in circulation

Question 7

Blood Pressure ( BP)

Answer 7

the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels

• usually expressed in terms of systolic pressure ( maximum during one heart beat) over diatolic pressure ( minimum in between two heart beats) and is measured in millimeters of mercury above the surrounding atmopheric pressure
• measured using a mercury manometer
• regulated by baroreceptors which act via the brain influence nervous and endocrine systems

Question 8

Invasive Blood Pressure

Answer 8

• Arterial blood pressure is the most accurately measure invasively through an arterial line

Question 9

What are the five Korotkoff sounds:

Answer 9

1 Phase I—The first appearance of faint, repetitive, clear tapping sounds which gradually increase in intensity for at least two consecutive beats is the systolic blood pressure.
2 Phase II—A brief period may follow during which the sounds soften and acquire a swishing quality.
3 Phase III—The return of sharper sounds, which become crisper to regain, or even exceed, the intensity of phase I sounds.
4 Phase IV—The distinct abrupt muffling of sounds, which become soft and blowing in quality.
5 Phase V—The point at which all sounds finally disappear completely is the diastolic pressure.

Question 10

What are the 7 simple tips to get an accurate blood pressure reading?

Answer 10

1) Don’t have a conversation
2) support back
3) empty bladder first
4) keep legs uncrossed
5) support feet
6) support arm at heart level
7) put cuff on bare arm

Question 11

Auscultary

Answer 11

Method uses a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer