Vital Signs and Body Measurements

Vital Signs and Body Measurements Lessons 1. Vital Signs Go 2. Body Measurements Go TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lesson 1 – Vital Signs Four vital signs: Temperature Pulse Respiration Blood Pressure Must be measured and recorded accurately. Often are the first indication of disease or abnormality. Vital Signs Vital signs are the most important indicators of the health of the body. There are four vital signs. They include temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. It is critical that vital signs are measured and recorded accurately. These measurements are often the first indication of disease or abnormality.

Lesson 1 – Other Health Indicators Degree of pain Color of the skin Size of the pupils Reaction of pupils to light Level of consciousness Reaction to stimuli Other Health Indicators In addition to the four vital signs, other indicators of the health of the body can be assessed. Degree of pain felt by a patient is also a good indicator of health. Other indicators include the color of the skin, size of the pupils, reaction of the pupils to light, level of consciousness, and the patient’s reaction to stimuli.

Lesson 2– Body Measurements Height, weight, head circumference (infants) For adults, growth charts indicate desirable weight For children, growth charts compare measurements with those of other children Also needed for laboratory tests and to calculate dosages of medications Body Measurements Body measurements include a patient’s height and weight. Body measurements indicate if a patient is overweight or underweight—both of which can signal disease. A height-weight chart is used to determine if a patient’s weight quality measurement is considered normal, overweight, or underweight. The height-weight chart shows desirable weight by height for men and women. With infants, head circumference is also measured. For infants, body measurements are used to monitor growth. Just as with adult males and females, a height-weight chart also exists for infants and children of both sexes. This chart is also referred to as a growth chart. It is used to compare an infant’s or toddler’s body measurements with those of other children. Additionally, height and weight information is often needed for laboratory tests and to calculate dosages of medications for adults and children.

Lesson 2– Weight-Consciousness Be sensitive and respectful Make only positive comments Provide privacy when measuring or discussing weight Weight-Consciousness Many patients are concerned about their weights or their children’s weights. It is important for health care workers to be sensitive and respectful and to make only positive comments in regard to weight. Health care workers should also be certain to provide privacy when measuring or discussing a patient’s weight.

Lesson 2– Height and Weight Abnormalities Abnormalities can signal disease In infants, abnormalities can be a symptom of problems with growth and development, nutritional deficiencies, or genetic diseases. Height and Weight Abnormalities Abnormalities in height and weight can signal disease. In infants, abnormalities can be a symptom of problems with growth and development, nutritional deficiencies, or genetic diseases.

Lesson 2 - Scales Balance beam scale with height bar Bed scales Wheelchair scales Infant scale, which usually also has height markings Scales Several types of scales are used to measure body weight and height. The balance beam scale is used in most cases. With a balance beam scale, the patient stands unassisted on a small platform. The balance beam scale also has a measuring bar for taking a patient’s height. For infants, a special scale is used so that the child can be laid down on the scale. This type of scale often has measurement markings for taking the infant’s height while the child is lying down. There are also beds scales and wheelchair scales for patients with disabilities and those that are unable to stand unassisted on a balance beam scale.

Lesson 2 – Units of Measure Weight English = pounds, ounces Metric = kilograms Height English = feet, inches Metric = centimeters Units of Measure Weight and height can be recorded in English or metric measurements. For weight, English measurements are recorded in pounds and ounces. Metric measurements are recorded in kilograms. For height, English measurements are recorded in feet and inches. Metric measurements are recorded in centimeters.