Vital Signs
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Samantha KemosVital Signs
Uploaded by
Samantha KemosVital Signs
Measurements that are routinely taken to establish
patient status.
Vital signs are quick and simple assessments that give us
lots of information about the patient.
There are 5 Types
1- Blood pressure,
2- Pulse,
3- Respirations,
4- Temperature, and
5- PAIN
Oxygen Saturation is often checked along with the vitals,
but isn’t truly a vital sign.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure measurements includes
systolic and diastolic pressures.
SYSTOLIC PRESSURE
The maximal pressure
exerted on the arteries during contraction of
left ventricles of heart.
DIASTOLIC PRESSURE
The amount of pressure
exerted on the arterial wall with the ventricles
at rest.
Measures the force of the blood against the
artery walls (indirect measure of heart’s
output).
– Recorded in mmHg
– Top number is Systolic (heart at work)
– Bottom Number is Diastolic (Heart at rest)
– Normal is >90 60/ and <120 80
/ for adults
PULSE
The pulse is a wave of blood created by
contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.
Can be assessed by palpating the radial pulse or
auscultating the apical pulse.
We measure the rate, rhythm, and the quality of
the pulse.
Normal is > 60 and <100 resting
TACAHYCARDIA
An abnormal rapid heart rate over 100 beats/min.
BRADYCARDIA
An abnormal slow heart rate below 60 beats/min.
BOUNDING
Strong full force pulse.
THREADY/ WEAK
Difficult to palpate, a pulse of diminished strength.
ABSENT
No palpable pulse
IRREGULAR
When interval varies between pulse.
BIGEMINAL PULSE
A regular irregular pulse accuring with premature
beats.
DICROTIC
A split or double pulse beat the second being
weaker than first.
COMMON PULSE POINT
1. TEMPORAL 5. RADIAL 9. DORSAL PEDIS
2. CAROTID 6. FEMORAL
3. APICAL 7. POPLITEAL
4. BRACHIAL 8. POSTERIOR TIBIAL
RESPIRATION
Respiration is the process of bringing oxygen
to body tissues and removing carbon di oxide
from it. The lungs play a major role in this
process.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPIRATION
RESPIRATION RATE
DEPTH
RHYTHM
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATION RATE RATE
The normal adult rate of respiration is generally ranged
between 14-20
breaths/minutes.
DEPTH
RESPIRATION RATE
It is estimated by observing the movement of chest during
inspiration, which
may be deep or shallow.
RHYTHM
RESPIRATION RATE
It indicate the equal interval between two respiration.
TERMS OF RESPIRATION
TACHYPNOEA An increased respiratory rate more APNOEA Total cessation of breathing or
than 24 breath/min. respiratory rate.
BRADYPNOEA HYPERAPNOEA Increase in the depth of
A decreased respiratory rate less
than 10 breath/min. respiration.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the body is an important
symptom.
Measured usually orally, axillary, or rectally (most
accurate but only used when absolutely
necessary.
Recorded in the US in degrees Fahrenheit
Normal is >96 and <99