vital signs

Vital signs are physical signs that

indicate an individual is alive.

These signs may be

observed, measured, and

monitored to assess an

individual's level of physical

functioning.

Normal vital signs change with :

• Age

• Sex

• Weight

• Exercise

1. Heart beat

2. Breathing rate

3. Temperature

4. Blood pressure

• Prior to measuring vital signs, the patient

should have had the opportunity to sit for

approximately five minutes

• Before diving in, take a minute or so to

look at the patient in their entirety

• Does the patient seem anxious, in pain,

upset? What about their dress and

hygiene? Remember, the exam begins as

soon as you lay eyes on the patient

The normal body temperature of a person

varies depending on :

• Gender

• Recent activity

• Food

• Fluid consumption

• Time of day

Measurements

Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)

Degrees Celsius (centigrade; °C)

Normal adult oral temperature

98.6°F

37°C

routes

oral

axillary

tympanic

Rectal

Route Normal Range ºF / ºC Sites

Oral 37.0 ºC Mouth

Tympanic 37.5 ºC Ear

Rectal 37.5 ºC Rectum

Axillary 36.5 ºC Axilla

Def :

Number of times the heart beats in 1 minute

The normal pulse for healthy adults

ranges from

60 to 100

beats per minute

5th intercostal space directly below

center of left clavicle .

Apical pulse taken with a stethoscope

•

Count for 30 seconds,

then multiply by 2

(a rate of 35 beats in 30

seconds equals a pulse

rate of 70 beats/minute)

The respiration rate is the number of

breaths a person takes per minute

fever

illness

under 12 breaths

over 20 breaths

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0-1 yrs 6-11 yrs ADULT

Systolic pressure – measure of pressure when left ventricle contracts

Diastolic pressureMeasure of pressure when heart relaxesMinimum pressure exerted against the artery walls at all times

120/80

Equipment

Sphygmomanometer

Inflatable cuff

Pressure bulb

Manometer

Painful procedures and exercise

should not have occurred within one

hour

Patient should have been

sitting quietly for about 5

minutes

• Sitting position

• Arm and back are

supported.

• Feet should be

resting firmly on

the floor

• Palm is facing up.

• The arm should remain somewhat bent and

completely relaxed

1. Place cuff on the upper arm above the brachial

pulse site

2. Inflate cuff about 20 mmHg above palpatory

result or approximately 180 mmHg to 200 mmHg

3. Release the air in cuff slowly at a rate of 2-3

mmHg per second and listen for the first

heartbeat (systolic pressure) and the last

heartbeat (diastolic pressure)

4. Record results with systolic as the top number

and diastolic as the bottom number (i.e., 120/76)

BP must take in both arms

The two arm readings

should be within 10-15 mm

Hg. Differences greater

then 10-15 imply differential

blood flow

Post exercise, ambulatory disabilities, obese, known blood pressure problems

stress