Patient Assessment: Vital Signs Sarah Morgan, PA-C

Vitals Temperature Pulse Respiration Blood Pressure

Temperature Heat Produced – Heat Lost = Body Temp. Normal Temp = 98.6 o F or 37 o C Ranges: 97.6 – 99.6 o F 36.5 – 37.5 o C

Hyperthermia >100.4 o FFever >104 o FCell damage, heat stroke, convulsions 113 o FThermal regulation ceases >113 o FIrreversible cell damage

Hypothermia <95 o FTemp regulation impaired <86 o FTemp regulation ceases <78 o FCardiac dysrhythmias Respiration ceases <69 o FCardiac arrest Cells still viable

Temperature measurement Oral – mouth Rectal – rectum Axillary – arm pit Tympanic membrane - ear Procedure:

Pulse Palpable bounding of blood flow in peripheral artery Indicates heart rate Normal in adults:

Pulse

Pulse assessment Pulse rate – beats per minute Pulse rhythm – regularity Pulse Strength – strong, weak, bounding, or thready Procedure:

Respiration Rate Respiration is the mechanism the body uses to exchange gases between the atmosphere and the blood and the cells. Oxygen into the body, carbon dioxide out of the body.

Respiration Rate Measurement Respiratory rate – respirations per min. Respiratory depth – normal, deep, shallow Respiratory rhythm – regular or irregular Procedure:

Blood Pressure Measures force of blood in an artery when heart is pumping and at rest. SystolicHeart pumping DiastolicHeart resting

Blood Pressure - mmHg Blood Pressure Category SystolicDiastolic Normal<120<80 Pre-hypertension Hypertension140 - higher90 - higher American Heart Association, Sept. 23, 2003

Hypertension Risks Heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure 1 of 4 adults has hypertension 32% with hypertension don’t know it No symptoms – “Silent Killer” Must be measured to be detected

Risk Factors for Hypertension Controllable Obesity Salt Alcohol Lack of physical activity Stress Uncontrollable Race Heredity Age

Measurement of BP

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