week 7 - vital signs Flashcards
when to measure vital signs
- on admission
- before, during, and after surgery
- routinely during admission (4-6 hours)
- in conjunction with medications
- prior to transfer
- patient deterioration
- physical examination
temperature normal range
35.8-37.5
factors that effect body temperature
circadian rhythm, age and gender, environment
temperature assessment sites
surface temp: oral, forehead, axillary
core temp: tympanic (eardrum) membrane
pulse normal range
60-100bpm
pulse characteristics
rate, rhythm, strength, equality
factors effecting pulse rate
pain, exercise, temperature, emotions, drugs, haemorrhage, disease
pulse assessment sites
radial (wrist), brachial (middle of arm), carotid (neck)
respiratory rate normal range
12-20 respirations per minute
respiratory rate characteristics
sound, the force of exertion, depth of exertion, rate
factors effecting RR
exercise, temp, emotions, medications/drugs, smoking, haemorrhage, pain, neurological damage
oxygen saturation normal range
95-100%
assessment of oxygen saturation
using pulse oximeter on finger to provide an estimation of arterial oxygen saturation
blood pressure normal range
120/80mmHg
systolic: 90-120
diastolic: 60-80
factors effecting blood pressure
age, gender, diet, exercise, cuff size, weight, emotional state, body position, medications, neurological disease
