Vital Signs

Objective: Students will be able to assess the vital signs Students will be able to explain what is being assesses when checking the vital signs

What are the Vital Signs Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. These are the things that are vital to life These are the things that are vital to life –One or more is missing or compromised = medical emergency

The Vital Signs body temperature body temperature pulse rate pulse rate respiration rate (rate of breathing) respiration rate (rate of breathing) blood pressure (Blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, but is often measured along with the vital signs.) blood pressure (Blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, but is often measured along with the vital signs.)

Body Temperature The normal body temperature of a person varies depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time of day, and, in women, the stage of the menstrual cycle. The normal body temperature of a person varies depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time of day, and, in women, the stage of the menstrual cycle. According to the AMA According to the AMA –Normal body temp – 97.7 – 99 degrees Fahrenheit (normal is often considered 98.6)

Places to take the Temperature Oral – mouth Oral – mouth Aural – ear Aural – ear Axillary – armpit Axillary – armpit Rectal – rectum Rectal – rectum *** most accurate – rectal ***Least accurate - Axillary

Problems with body temp. Fever – above 100 Fever – above 100 Hypothermia – below 95 Hypothermia – below 95

Pulse Hear Rate Hear Rate Each “pulse” represent the beat of your heart Each “pulse” represent the beat of your heart The pulse rate may fluctuate and increase with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions The pulse rate may fluctuate and increase with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions Average resting heart rate Average resting heart rate –60 to 100 bpm (beats per minute)

How to check your pulse Using the first and second fingertips, press firmly but gently on the arteries until you feel a pulse. Using the first and second fingertips, press firmly but gently on the arteries until you feel a pulse. Begin counting the pulse when the clock's second hand is on the 12. Begin counting the pulse when the clock's second hand is on the 12. Count your pulse for 60 seconds (or for 15 seconds and then multiply by four to calculate beats per minute). Count your pulse for 60 seconds (or for 15 seconds and then multiply by four to calculate beats per minute). When counting, do not watch the clock continuously, but concentrate on the beats of the pulse. When counting, do not watch the clock continuously, but concentrate on the beats of the pulse.

What are you feeling? Superficial arteries expanding as blood passes through them Superficial arteries expanding as blood passes through them Expulsion of blood from the heart Expulsion of blood from the heart Pulse Locations Pulse Locations

Neck (carotid Pulse)

Wrist (Radial Artery)

“other pulses” Any “superficial artery” Any “superficial artery” Popliteal – behind knee Popliteal – behind knee Fermoral – groin Fermoral – groin Dorsi Pedis – foot Dorsi Pedis – foot Brachial – Armpit Brachial – Armpit

Using the heart rate Max HR 220 minus your age Max HR 220 minus your age –Times that number by.65 = 65% of max –Times that number by.85 = 85% of max 65% - 85% is the training zone 65% - 85% is the training zone Mr. Frey Mr. Frey –Max Heart Rate – 186 –65% max effort – –85% max effort – Figure out yours….. Figure out yours…..

Respiration Rate Harder to assess than heart rate Harder to assess than heart rate Watch the chest rise and fall Watch the chest rise and fall 15 to 20 breaths a minute is considered normal 15 to 20 breaths a minute is considered normal More than 25 and less than 12 breaths a minutes is considered abnormal More than 25 and less than 12 breaths a minutes is considered abnormal

Respiratory Distress Labored breathing of difficulty breathing is a medical emergency Labored breathing of difficulty breathing is a medical emergency Partial or Complete Airway Obstruction Partial or Complete Airway Obstruction –Contact EMS –CPR

Blood Pressure The pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels The pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels Sphygmomanometer – instrument uses to assess BP Sphygmomanometer – instrument uses to assess BP

O74vg O74vg O74vg O74vg Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood flow when the heart beats Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood flow when the heart beats –First sound heard Diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats Diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats –Last sound is heard 120/80 120/80

BP measurements Optimal less than 120 / less than 80 Optimal less than 120 / less than 80 Normal less than 135 / less than 85 Normal less than 135 / less than 85 High / High / Hypertensive 140 or higher / 90 or higher Hypertensive 140 or higher / 90 or higher

High Blood Pressure Causes the heart to work “harder” Causes the heart to work “harder” –Leaves the heart and the arteries more prone to injury High Blood Pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, damage to the eyes, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure. High Blood Pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, damage to the eyes, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure.

Causes of High Blood Pressure Heredity Heredity Race (African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure) Race (African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure) Males (men have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure than women until age 55. However, at over the age of 75, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men). Males (men have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure than women until age 55. However, at over the age of 75, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men). Sodium sensitivity (salt) Sodium sensitivity (salt) Obesity and overweight Obesity and overweight Heavy alcohol consumption Heavy alcohol consumption Sedentary lifestyle Sedentary lifestyle Diabetics or individuals with gout or kidney disease Diabetics or individuals with gout or kidney disease Age (the older people get, the more prone to high blood pressure) Age (the older people get, the more prone to high blood pressure) Some medications Some medications

Other “vital” signs to check Pupil response Pupil response –PEARL –constricted pupils – injury to the central nervous system and/or intake of depressant drugs –dilated pupils – head injury, shock, hemorrhage and/of intake of stimulant drug Level of Consciousness Level of Consciousness –APVU Scale Sensory Changes Sensory Changes –Bilateral comparison Weakness of Movement Weakness of Movement –Bilateral comparison