EXERCISE NO.

1
DETERMINATION OF VITAL SIGNS
OBJECTIVES

1. To acquire the skills on how to properly obtain the vital signs.

2. To interpret accurately the results obtained in the determination of vital
signs.
VITAL SIGNS
 Vital signs are measures of various physiological statistics that are essential in
the assessment of basic body functions. All medical professionals should know
how to measure and interpret the vital signs correctly.

VITAL SIGNS (Standard in Medical Setting)

1. Body Temperature (Temp)
2. Pulse or Heart Rate (PR/HR)
3. Respiratory Rate (RR)
4. Blood Pressure (BP)
BODY TEMPERATURE
 It is a measure of the body’s ability to generate and get rid of heat.
 The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range
in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body.
1. When your body is too hot, the blood vessels in the skin dilate to carry the excess
heat into the skin’s surface.
SWEATING – EVAPORATION – COOLING

2. When your body is too cold, the blood vessels in the skin contract so the skin is
reduced to conserve body heat.
The process involves shivering which is an involuntary and rapid contraction of the
muscles to generate more heat. Under normal conditions, this will lead the body
temperature within a narrow, safe range.
MEASUREMENT OF BODY TEMPERATURE

 MOUTH
 EAR
 AXILLARY
 RECTUM
 FOREHEAD
NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE

 Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone levels. It may be higher or

lower when a woman is ovulating or having her menstrual period.
 A rectal, axillary or ear temperature reading is 0.3 to 0.6 Degrees Celsius
higher than an oral temperature reading.
 FEVER is an elevated body temperature or known as PYRESIS.
REASON FOR HAVING FEVER
1. INFECTION
• THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF FEVER
2. MEDICINES
• DRUG FEVERS
• SOME MEDICINES SUCH AS ANTIBIOTICS, RAISE THE BODY TEMPERATURE
• OTHERS, INTERFERE WITH THE BODY’S ABILITY TO READJUST ITS TEMPERATURE
WHEN OTHER FACTORS CAUSE THE TEMPERATURE TO RISE.
3. SEVERE TRAUMA OR INJURY
• HEART ATTACK, STROKE, HEAT EXHAUSTION, OR BURNS
4. OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS
• ARTHRITIS, HYPERTHYROIDISM, SOME CANCERS
REMINDER:

WAIT FOR AT LEAST 20 TO 30 MINUTES AFTER

SMOKING, EATING, OR DRINKING A HOT OR COLD
LIQUID BEFORE TAKING A TEMPERATURE.

WAIT AT LEAST AN HOUR AFTER A VIGOROUS

EXERCISE OR A HOT BATH
 SEVERAL TYPES OF THERMOMETERS:
1. ELECTRONIC THERMOMETER

2. EAR THERMOMETER
5. PACIFIER THERMOMETER

3. FOREHEAD THERMOMETER

4. DISPOSABLE THERMOMETER
BLOOD PRESSURE
 The term refers to the pressure exerted by the blood against the wall of the
blood vessels especially the arteries. It varies with the strength of the heart
beat, the elasticity of the arterial walls, the volume and viscosity of the
blood, and the person’s health, age, and physical condition.
 The blood pressure is recorded as two readings:
1. A high SYSTOLIC pressure, which is the maximal contraction of the heart.
2. A lower DIASTOLIC or resting pressure

Normal Blood Pressure

o There is no nature “normal” value for the blood pressure, but rather a range of
values; that on increasing are associated with increased risks.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLASSIFICATION

BP CLASSIFICATION SBP mmHg DBP mmHg

NORMAL < 120 > 80
PRE-HTN 120-139 80-89
STAGE 1 HTN 140 90-99
STAGE 2 HTN ≥ 160 ≥100
BLOOD PRESSURE

 Usually the blood pressure is given in the left arm unless there is some
damage to be arm.
 The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure in the PULSE
PRESSURE.

DEVICE USED in MEASUREMENT:

• ANEROID or ELECTRONIC SPHYGMOMANOMETER and STETHOSCOPE.
SEGMENTAL BLOOD PRESSURES:
• Blood pressures taken at the other portions of the extremities that are used to
evaluate blockage or arterial occlusion in a limb, normal measure is 98.6
PULSE RATE
 The pulse is the physical expansion of the artery. Its rate is usually measured
either at the wrist or the ankle and is recorded as beats per minute (BPM)

Different sites in taking the pulse:

a. Wrist
b. Elbow
c. Neck
d. Behind the knee
e. Foot
f. Direct Heart using Stethoscope
RESPIRATORY RATE
 Respiratory rate is the number of breaths of a living being, such as human,
takes within a certain amount of time.
 The value of respiratory rate serves as an indicator of potential respiratory
dysfunction has been investigated.

AGE HR/PR (bpm) RR (bpm)

NEWBORN 100-160 30-50
0-5 MONTHS 90-150 25-40
6-12 MONTHS 80-140 20-30
1-3 YEARS 80-130 20-30
3-5 YEARS 80-120 20-30
6-10 YEARS 70-110 15-30
11-14 YEARS 60-105 12-20
14+ YEARS 60-100 12-20