1. Vital Signs Assessment
Chapter 12
Vital Signs Assessment

2. Vital Signs
Pulse
Respiration
Blood pressure
Temperature

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

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

17. 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

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

19. 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.