1. Manuel Gallegos, RN, BSN PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT Class Spring 2017
Vital Signs: By
Manuel Gallegos, RN, BSN
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT Class Spring 2017

3. Objectives Identify the five vital signs
Know how to count respirations
Identify main arteries and how to count a pulse
Know what blood what is systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Know where to take a temperature and what are normal temperatures

4. What are vital signs?
Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions and how well the body is adapting to its environment
Pulse rate
Respiration rate (rate of breathing)
Blood pressure
Body temperature

5. What is the pulse?
When the heart beats, arteries pulse at the same time
Some of these arteries like the radial and carotid arteries can be felt easily
This can be useful for determining things like rate, regularity, and strength or weakness

6. ARTERIES OF THE BODY

7. Radial Pulse

8. Carotid Pulse

9. Baby’s Brachial Artery

10. What is the heart rate?
The number of times your heart beats per minute
It is the rhythmic expansion and contraction (or throbbing) of an artery as blood is forced through it by the regular contractions of the heart
It is a measure of how hard your heart is working

11. Normal Pulse Rates
A Resting Heart Rate anywhere in the range of is considered normal
Heart Rate will fluctuate a lot depending on such factors as your activity level and stress level
If pulse is consistently above 90, you should consult with your physician. This condition is called tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Many athletes have pulse rates in the range, depending on how fit they are

12. What is Blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries.
Blood pressure results from two forces. First, it is created by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system
Second, the other is the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow

14. What does blood pressure indicate?
The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body
The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats
The systolic pressure is always stated first. For example: 118/76 (118 over 76); systolic = 118, diastolic = 76.

16. Respirations
Respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute
The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of times the chest rises
Respiration rates may increase with fever, illness, and with other medical conditions
It is important to note whether a person has any difficulty breathing: Note position and ability to speak or not

17. For most people it's typically 12 to 20
Obviously, the rate increases during exercise, excitement, pain, and fever. It declines during relaxation and sleep
Your doctor may want regular readings of your respiratory rate if you have a lung disease or other illness, or are taking a medicine that can suppress respiration

18. Counting Respirations
You'll need a watch or clock with a second hand or digital
Count for a full 60 seconds or you may count for 30 seconds and multiply the number by 2
The person should be seated. Each rise/fall cycle counts as one respiration
Note whether the individual's breathing is deep, slow, shallow, or rapid

19. Temperature
Body temperature is the measure of the body's ability to generate or get rid of heat
The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body
When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin expand (dilate) to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface
You may begin to sweat, and as the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body

20. When you are too cold, your blood vessels narrow (contract) so that blood flow to your skin is reduced to conserve body heat
You may start shivering, which is an involuntary, rapid contraction of the muscles
This extra muscle activity helps generate more heat
Under normal conditions, this keeps your body temperature within a narrow, safe range

21. What is a normal temperature?
Most people think of a "normal" body temperature as an oral temperature of 98.6F or 37 degrees C
This is an average of normal body temperatures. Your temperature may actually be 1°F (0.6°C) or more above or below 98.6F
Your normal body temperature changes by as much as 1°F (0.6°C) throughout the day, depending on how active you are and the time of day

22. Where is Temperature Measured?
Your body temperature can be measured in many locations on your body
The mouth, ear, armpit, and rectum are the most commonly used places
Temperature can also be measured on your forehead

23. Review The four vital signs are ???? How do you count respirations?
What are the main arteries and how do you count a pulse?
What does blood pressure measure and what is systolic and diastolic blood pressure?
Where do we take a temperature and what are normal temperatures?

24. Sources
pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=complications