TPJ3M

VITAL SIGNS

Vital SignsThese signs may be observed, measured, and monitored to assess an individual's level of physical functioning.

Taking Vitals:Procedure

1. Welcome patient and introduce yourself

2. Ask patient to assume a sitting position

3. Prior to measuring vitals, the patient should

have had the opportunity to sit and relax for

approximately 5 minutes

Taking Vitals:Procedure

4. Take a minute or so to look at the patient in their entirety

5. Observe

**REMEMBER! The exam begins the minute

you lay eyes on the patient

- Does the patient seem anxious?- In pain?- Upset?

VITAL #1

HEART RATE (HR)Wavelike sensations felt by

fingertips as blood passes through a peripheral artery (away from the heart) each time the heart contracts

11 sites to palpate (touch with fingers to feel for pulse) or osculate (using stethoscope to listen)

These sites are also called “pressure points” because you can provide pressure in these areas to stop bleeding

VITAL #1

HEART RATE (HR)Units:

HR is measured in beatsper minute (BPM)

Normal HR Ranges:Infant = 110 - 180

BPM Child = 70 - 110 BPMAdult = 60 - 100 BPM

VITAL #1

HEART RATE (HR)Documenting HR:

(A) Site: Radial(B) Rate: 72 BPM

(C) Rhythm: Regular or Irregular(D) Depth: Normal,

Strong, weak, bounding, thready

Text

1. Temporal Artery

2. Carotid Artery

3. Apical Artery

4. Brachial Artery

5. Radial Artery

6. Femoral Artery

7. Popliteal Artery

8. Dorsalis Pedis Artery

VITAL #2

RESPIRATIONS-BREATHING RATE!

-The number of breaths a person takes in one minute

-1 Respiration = 1 inhalation, 1 exhalation

VITAL #2

RESPIRATIONSUnits:Respirations are measured

inrespirations per minute

(RPM)Normal RPM Ranges:

Infant: Up to 40 RPMChild: 20 - 25 RPM

Adult: 12 - 20 RPM

VITAL #2

RESPIRATIONSDocumenting RR :

(A) Rate: RPM

(B) Rhythm: Regular or Irregular

(C) Depth: Quiet or Laboured

VITAL #3

BLOOD PRESSURE

Pressure of blood inside your blood vessels

SystoleWhen the heart contracts

DiastoleWhen the heart relaxes

Driving force is the contraction

Relaxation force created by your heart “pump

VITAL #3

BLOOD PRESSUREToolsSphygmomanometer (BP

Cuff - Different sizes and

stethoscope

VITAL #3

BLOOD PRESSURE120

80

Systolic Pressure:Pressure in the arteries when

the heart contracts

Diastolic Pressure:Pressure in the arteries when the

heart relaxes

mmHg

VITAL #3

BLOOD PRESSURE

Units:mmHg

Normal BP Ranges: Baby/infant= 90/55

mmHg Child = 110/58 mmHgTeenager/Adult = 120/80 mmHg

Important to note!• Hypertension – high blood pressure

140/90 mmHg +. High risk for blood clots, stroke or heart attack, arteries lined with fat

• Hypotension – low blood pressure 90/60 mmHg and below. May stop blood flow through kidneys, may cause shock or hemorrhaging. ONLY a concern if it cause signs or symptoms such as dizziness, virtigo and syncope (fainting)

VITAL #4BODY TEMPERATURE4 Sites

1. Oral “O” (mouth)

2. Tympanic “T” (ear)3. Axillary “A”

(armpit)4. Rectal “R” (rectum)

VITAL #4BODY TEMPERATURE

Normal Range

36.5 - 37.5°CDocumentatio

nSite: O, T, R, ATemperature in degrees

Celcius

Important to Note!

Hypothermia – low body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius

Hyperthermia – high body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius (can lead to stroke, heart attach, death)

TIME TO PUT IT ALL

TOGETHER!!