Vital sign

Presented by Ms Bryna Adonis

What are Vital sign
Vital signs are measurements of the body’s basic functions. The vital signs
doctors typically measure and monitor are:
 body temperature
 heart rate (the rate of your heartbeat)
 respiratory rate (rate of breathing)
 blood pressure
 Blood sugar

Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring health issues and alerting
medical professionals to potential concerns.
Cont ..

 Define
 Explain the working
 Identify the normal and abnormal
 Outline factors affecting
BODY TEMPERATURE
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF TEMPERATURE
REGULATION
Thermoregulation is a mechanism by which
mammals maintain body temperature with tightly
controlled self-regulation independent of external
temperatures.

Temperature regulation is a type of homeostasis

and a means of preserving a stable internal
temperature in order to survive.

Thermoregulation is crucial to human life; without

thermoregulation, the human body would cease to
function.

Thermoregulation also plays an adaptive role in the

body's response to infectious pathogens.
INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE BODY TEMPERATURE
Mercury thermometer
Infrared thermometer
Electric Ear Digital
thermometer thermometer
ROUTES FOR TAKING BODY TEMPERATURE
• Rectal. The thermometer is placed in the child’s bottom. It is thought
to be the most accurate temperature.
• Oral. The thermometer is placed in the mouth under the tongue.
• Axillary. The thermometer is placed under the armpit.
• Tympanic. The thermometer is placed in the ear.
• Temporal artery. The thermometer scans the surface of the
forehead. These are sometimes used to screen for fever. If the
temperature is higher than normal (greater than 101° F/38.3°C), it
needs to be taken with a more accurate kind of thermometer.
Temporal artery thermometers should not be used on infants.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF BODY TEMPERATURE

• A healthy body functions best at an internal temperature of about 37°C

(98.6°F).
• Everyone has their own individual "normal" body temperature, which may be
slightly higher or lower.
• Our bodies also constantly adapt their temperature to environmental conditions.
• It goes up when we exercise.
• It is lower at night, and higher in the afternoon than in the morning.
PROCEDURE FOR MONITORING BODY
TEMPERATURE
 Gather equipment.
 Explain the procedure to the client.
 Wash your hands.
 Provide privacy and move gown to expose axilla.
 Sanitized the thermometer.
 Shake and read the thermometer as suggested in Procedure
 After use sanitize the thermometer
SITES FOR MEASURING BODY
TEMPERATURE
• Orally ( sublingual)
• Axillary
• Tympanic
• Rectal
• Skin
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FEVER
 Flushed face
 Hot, dry skin
 Low output of urine, or dark urine
 Not interested in eating
 Constipation or diarrhea
 Vomiting
 Headache
 Aching all over
 Nausea
RESPIRATORY RATE
 The normal respiratory rate changes with
age are 12 to 20 respirations per minute for
a resting adult. Children have a higher
respiratory rate than adults.
NORMAL BREATHING
 In normal breathing at rest, there are small in breaths (inhalation)
followed by the out breaths (exhalation).
 The out breath is followed by an automatic pause (or period of no
breathing) for about 1 to 2 seconds.
 Normal breathing is:
 Slow and regular, breathing in and out through the nose only.
 Invisible - No effort should be visible- the diaphragm should be moving
gently.
 Quiet with:
 No panting.
 No wheezing.
 No sighing.
 No deep inhalations or exhalations.
NORMAL BREATHING
 Exhalation is passive (no active muscle activity) and is caused by the
natural elastic recoil of the lung tissue and is accompanied by the
relaxation of all breathing muscles.
When we are at rest this is how normal breathing, usually appears:
• Breathing in (inhalation) for 1 to 1.5 seconds.
• Breathing out (exhalation) for 1.5 to 2 seconds.
• An automatic pause of almost no breathing for 1 to 2 seconds.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE RESPIRATION
 Anxiety -Anxiety increases respiration rate and depth s a result of
sympathetic stimulation
 Smoking - Chronic smoking changes pulmonary airways , resulting in
increased rate of respirations at rest when not smoking
 Neurological Injury- Injury to brainstem impairs respiratory center and
inhibits respiratory rate and rhythm.
 Medications -Opioid analgesics, general anesthetics , and sedative
hypnotics depress rate and depth.
PROCEDURE FOR MONITORING RESPIRATORY
RATE (RR)
How do you monitor RR?
1. Sit down and try to relax.
2. It is best to take respiratory rate while sitting up in a chair or in bed.
3. Measure breathing rate by counting the number of times the chest or
abdomen rises over the course of one minute.
4. Record this number
BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
 Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood against the wall of blood
vessels as it flows through the arteries. It includes arterial, venous and
capillary pressures. It is reported in millimeters of mercury (mmHG)
 Because the blood moves in waves, there are two blood pressure
measurements. The systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure.
BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

Blood Pressure (BP) is recorded

as a fraction ( e.g. 117/68)

Systolic reading is the top

number

Diastolic reading is the bottom

number
Normal Range
Normal
 Systolic: 100-120mmHg
 Diastolic: 60-80mmHg

Hypertension ( High Blood Pressure)

 Systolic: > 140mmHg
 Diastolic: > 90mmHg
 Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
 Systolic: < 90mmHg
 Diastolic: < 60mmHg
CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION
• Anxiety
• Obesity
• High salt intake
• Aging
• Fever ( due to increased metabolic rate)
• Hemorrhage/ Bleeding
• Environmental Temperature
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Sex (after puberty females due to hormonal variations)
• Medications
CAUSES OF HYPOTENSION
 Heart Failure
 Dehydration
 Depression
 Severe burns
 Hemorrhage
 Shock
BLOOD PRESSURE THE SILENT KILLER
 Causes death from:
 Strokes
 Heart Attacks
 Peripheral Vascular Disease

 If untreated, leads to:

 Renal failure
 Heart failure
Equipment To Measure Blood Pressure
SITES FOR MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE

 Blood pressure can be obtained from any artery

 A pulse site is used in the assessment
 Common areas for BP
 Brachial- taken in the upper arm
 Radial- taken on the lower arm
 Popliteal- taken on the thigh
 Dorsalis Pedis_ Taken on the lower leg
SITES FOR MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE
Pulse

 the regular expansion of an artery caused by the ejection of blood through

the arterial system by the contractions of the heart”.(Webster 2022).
 The pulse rate indicates the state of the circulatory system. Circulation is the
process by which cells receive nutrients and eliminate metabolic waste. For
cells to function normally, there must be continuous blood flow as well as an
adequate volume and distribution of blood to the cells that require the most
nutrients.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE AND AFFECT
THE PULSE
 Exercise  Pain (acute, chronic,
 Temperature
severe)
 Hemorrhage
 Emotions/Anxiety  Fever/ Heat
 Drugs  Sex

 Age
Medications
 Body size
 Stress  fitness and activity levels
 Postural changes  body position (standing

up or lying down, for
HEALTH (a smoker, dehydration
example)
cardiovascular disease, high
cholesterol or diabetes, anemia
pulmonary conditions etc..)
HEART RATE

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and
better cardiovascular fitness.
NORMAL PULSE RATE

 Pulse rate also known as your heart rate, is the number of times your heart
beats per minute.
 A normal resting heart rate should be between 60 to 100 beats per minute,
but it can vary from minute to minute.
 a ‘normal’ pulse can vary from person to person.
 The heart should beat steadily, with a regular gap between each contraction,
so the pulse should also be steady.
 Sound ( “lub dub”)
Pulse

FAST PULSE
 Heart rate is over 100 beats per minute when you are at rest
 A rapid heart rate, also known as tachycardia, can be related to many
different health conditions. It’s normal for your heart rate to increase when
you’re exercising or if your body is fighting off an infection.
SLOW PULSE RATE
 A heart rate below 60 beats per minute when you are at rest is considered
slow (bradycardia).
 A slower heart rate can be normal for some people, including athletes, fit and
healthy young adults, or those taking medications like beta-blockers. For
example, it is common for someone who exercises a lot to have a resting
heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less.
IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING THE PULSE

 See how well the heart is working.

 In an emergency situation, your pulse rate can help find out if the heart is
pumping enough blood.
 Help find the cause of symptoms, such as an irregular or rapid heartbeat
(palpitations), dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
To check your pulse

CAROTID ARTERY RADIAL ARTERY BRACHIAL PULSE

Cont …
APICAL PULSE
Help patient to lie down on the back or turned slightly to the left.
Locate the apical pulse by using the fingers.
 PULSE OXIMETER

A pulse oximeter is a device that checks to see how much oxygen your blood is
carrying.
a small clip is put on the end of the finger. (Sometimes it's put on your toe or
earlobe.)
PULSE OXIMETER

Why is it used?
 Usually, low blood oxygen levels cause symptoms like fatigue or shortness of
breath. But with some health problems, you may not have symptoms from low
blood oxygen.
How do you use a pulse oximeter?
 Turn on the pulse oximeter. Clip it on the end of a finger. Your nail should be
facing up. You'll see the results in a few seconds.
 The device gives two results: your blood oxygen level (SpO2) and your pulse
rate (PR).
 The end . Any question