Vital Signs Assessment Chapter 12 Vital Signs Assessment

Vital Signs Pulse Respiration Blood pressure Temperature

The Pulse Reflects condition of patient’s circulatory system and cardiac function Pulse is found in the artery Vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body Absence of a pulse indicates cardiac arrest or death

The Pulse Normal pulse rate for an adult In a trained athlete 60-80 beats per minute In a trained athlete 40-60 beats per minute Tachycardia Higher than 100 bpm Bradycardia Lower than 60 bpm

The Pulse Rhythm can be regular or irregular Strength can be weak, strong, or thready (weak and rapid) Should be charted P = 80, R/S (regular and strong) P = 116 irreg/thready (irregular, thready) Locations measured at radial and carotid pulse If not pulse detected, call 911

Respiration Process of bringing oxygen into body Expels carbon dioxide as a waste product from cells Single respiration consists of one inspiration and one expiration

Respiration General guidelines for normal rates are: Charted 15 years and older: 15-20 breaths per minute Well-trained athlete: 6-8 breaths per minute Charted R = 16, labored R = 8, normal

Respiratory Patterns Abdominal Apnea Bradypnea respirations using primarily the abdominal muscles while the chest is mostly still Apnea the cessation of breathing; may be temporary or permanent no movement of the muscles for respiration Bradypnea breathing that is abnormally slow

Respiratory Patterns Cheyne-Stokes respiration a grossly irregular breathing pattern composed of intermittent periods of apnea lasting from 10 to 60 seconds followed by periods of fast and slow breathing

Respiratory Patterns Dyspnea Hyperpnea difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath Hyperpnea breathing that is faster or deeper than that which is produced during normal activity. Also known as hyperventilation

Respiratory Patterns Kussmaul’s breathing Labored breathing deep, gasping respirations; air hunger Labored breathing difficult breathing that uses shoulder muscles, neck muscles, and abdominal muscles

Blood Pressure Systolic Diastolic Charted as BP = 120/80 Top number Blood pressure when the heart contracts Ex. 120 Diastolic Bottom number Blood pressure when the heart is at rest Ex. 80 Charted as BP = 120/80

Blood Pressure Terms Hypotension Hypertension Low blood pressure Below 100/65 mm Hg Shock, dehydration Hypertension High blood pressure Above 140/90 mm Hg Obesity, diet, stress

Blood Pressure Terms Sphygmomanometer Blood pressure cuff Measures a person’s blood pressure along with a stethoscope

Blood Pressure Affected by many other considerations. Age, exercise, obesity, food, pain, stress, stimulants, steroids, and some medications can cause the blood pressure to increase; whereas weight loss, fasting, depression, and blood loss can lower the blood pressure.

Body Temperature Core temperature Must remain within a relatively narrow range in order for the body’s various systems to function efficiently Homeostasis

Body Temperature Regulated by an area in the brain known as the hypothalamus Group of cells monitors the temperature of the blood and responds to any change of temperature Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit Heat stoke is 105+ degrees Fahrenheit Hypothermia is below 95 degrees Fahrenheit

Body Temperature Taken by a tympanic thermometer Be careful not to insert probe too far- can injure tympanic membrane Charted T = 98.6.

Optional- Weight and Height Almost always measured in the course of a physical exam Recorded as W= 150 lbs. Recorded as H= 5’9” or by inches H= 69 in.