1. Medical Careers Eden Area ROP
Vital Signs
Medical Careers
Eden Area ROP

2. Vital signs Homeostasis
Measurements that indicate pts general state of health and homeostasis
Homeostasis
Stable condition of internal environment

3. 4 vital signs are TPR BP Temperature (T) Pulse (P) Respiration (R)
Blood Pressure (BP)

4. TEMPERATURE
Balance between heat loss and heat production in the body Factors affecting Temperature Age Environment Activity Time of day Emotions Physiological processes

5. Normal Values
Oral/Tympanic (ear): 98.6°F Rectal: 99.6 °F Axillary (armpit): 97.6°F

6. Key Terms
Febrile
Afebrile
Onset

7. Characteristics of Pulse
Rate: # of beats in one minute
Rhythm: regular or irregular
Volume: strong or weak
Condition of arterial walls: bouncy/soft, hard/wire-like

8. Types of thermometers
Glass
Disposable
Electronic
Tympanic Temporal:

9. Pulse
Felt as the arteries expand temporarily with each heart beat Characteristics Rate: # of beats/min Rhythm: regular or irregular Volume: weak or strong Condition of arterial walls: bouncy or firm

10. Adult: 60-90 beats per minute
Normal Values
Adult: beats per minute

11. Common Pulse Sites Carotid: side of neck Brachial: antecubital space
Radial: thumb side of wrist
Apical: left side of chest; 5th intercostal space

12. Define: Bradycardia Tachycardia
Key Terms
Define: Bradycardia Tachycardia

13. Respiration Characteristics The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
1 inspiration + 1 expiration= 1 respiration
Characteristics
Rate: # of breaths/min
Rhythm: regular or irregular
Depth: deep or shallow

14. Adults 12-20 Breaths per minute
Normal values
Adults Breaths per minute

15. Key Terms
Define: Dyspnea Apnea Hyperpnea/Tachypnea Bradypnea

16. Blood Pressure Diastolic
Written as a fraction:
Systolic
Diastolic
Systolic: pressure exerted on arterial walls during contraction of the heart
Diastolic: pressure exerted on the arterial walls during relaxation of the heart

17. Adult Average: 120/80 mmHg Adult Normal Range: 100-140 60-90
Normal Values
Adult Average: 120/80 mmHg Adult Normal Range:

18. Define: Hypertension Hypotension
Key Terms
Define: Hypertension Hypotension