VITAL SIGNS They are indicators of health status. They are: 1. Temperature 2. Pulse 3. Respiration 4.

Blood pressure

When to take vital signs?? 1. On the client admission 2. According to hospital policy routine 3. Before and after surgery 4. Before and after diagnostic procedures 5. Before and after certain medications 6. When the client is complaining of pain 7. When the client is complaining of loss of consciousness

Pulse It is an indicator of circulatory status Approximately (60-70)ml of blood enter the aorta each contraction. (Stroke volume). When the pulse wave reaches a peripheral artery, it can be palpated.

Peripheral pulses Radial.. The most common and the easiest. Apical.. The best for infants. Carotid Femoral

 The normal range: (60 100) beat/minute. (regular & palpable) Tachycardia: heart rate is more than 100 beet/min. Bradycardia: heart rate is less than 60 beat/min.

Temperature Is the hotness or coldness of the body. Is measured by a thermometer. Common sites for measuring: Mouth Rectum Axillae Other sites: (ear, forehead,) The normal range: (36.5 37.5) degree centigrade. Measured by thermometer Hyperthermia: temperature is more than 37.5 DC. Hypothermia: temperature is less than 36.5 DC.

Types of thermometers Mercury Electronic Disposable To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius:

DC = (F-32) X 5/9 To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = (9/5 X DC) + 32 Respiration The normal range: For adults: (12 20) breath/minute. For infants: (30 50) breath/minute. For adult Tachypnea: respiratory rate is more than 20 breath/min. Bradypnea: respiratory rate is less than 12 breath/min. Dyspnea: difficulty in breathing.

Blood pressure Is the force exerted by the blood against a vessel wall. Systole: the left ventricle contracts and pumps blood into the aorta. Diastole: the ventricle relaxes. Blood pressure is recorded as: (systole/diastole) mmHg.(millimeters mercury) The normal range: systole: 100-140 diastole: 65-95 Hypertension: blood pressure is more than 140/95 mmHg. Hypotension: blood pressure is less than 100/65 mmHg. (Measured by sphygmomanometer & stethoscope)

Factors influencing blood pressure Age: blood pressure decreases by age. Stress: blood pressure increases with anxiety, fear, emotions. Race: blood pressure is higher in African. Medications: diuretics decreases blood pressure

Vital signs according to age

Age

Pulse

Respiratio n

Blood Pressure 80/40 mmHg 82/44 90/52 120/80

Newborn 120 160 40 60 1 year 5 years Adult 80 140 70 115 60 100 30 40 20 25 12 20