1. Lesson 11: Evaluation & Assessment
Vital Signs
Lesson 11:
Evaluation & Assessment

2. Bell Work What are the regular services you must perform on a car?
Why do car owners do this?

3. Objectives Today you will Define terms associated with vital signs
List vital signs with their normative values
Measure vital signs with a partner

4. Terminology Vital Sign Heart Rate Respiration/Breathing
a measure of the body’s functions that are necessary for life, such as breathing, heart rate and body temperature
Heart Rate
Number of heartbeats measured in a unit of time…most commonly in beats per minute (bpm)
Respiration/Breathing
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

5. Blood Pressure Body Temperature
A measure of how hard blood is pressing against artery walls. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: the top number is called systolic pressure and the bottom number is called diastolic pressure. Systolic
Diastolic
Body Temperature
A measure of the body’s internal temperature

6. Terminology Height Body Weight Vision Pulse Oximetery – SpO2
a measure of the body’s erect skeletal system
Body Weight
The weight of a person without anything on
Vision
Snellen Chart testing – measures visual acuity
Pulse Oximetery – SpO2
A monitoring of the oxygenation of an individual’s hemoglobin

7. Heart Rate (HR)
HR is a way to measure the function of the heart and the circulatory system
A normal resting rate is between bpm
You can measure HR at pulse points where an artery is close to the skin.
Radial pulse
Carotid pulse
Radial Pulse Point
Carotid Pulse Point

8. Heart Rate: Measured Procedure for taking HR:
1. Athlete should be seated & relaxed
2. Place the palm of the athlete facing up
3. Place the tips of the first two fingers over the radial artery (thumb side) and apply very slight pressure.
4. Feel for the pulse as the heart beats. Don’t push too hard.
5. Look at the second hand on your watch and begin counting, starting with zero.
6. Count the athlete’s pulse for 60 seconds and record that number in the SOAP note.
- Or take HR for 6 sec and multiply it by 10 to get BPM.

9. Respiration
Respiration is the body’s way to take in oxygen & ridding carbon dioxide.
One breath= Inhalation & Exhalation
Every cell in the body needs oxygen
No oxygen = cell death

10. Respiration: Measured
Athlete is seated and in a relaxed state
One inhale and exhale = One respiration
Note if athlete is having difficulty breathing
Normal Respiration Rate:
12-20 breaths/minute

11. Blood Pressure (BP)
Measuring the blood’s pressure against the wall of an artery
Systolic
BP when the heart contracts
Diastolic
BP when the heart relaxes
Normal Range
Systolic
65-85 Diastolic

12. Blood Pressure: Measured
Blood Pressure: Measured
Athlete needs to be seated, arm extended with palm facing up.
Place BP cuff snugly around the athletes arm, just above the elbow.
Middle of cuff (or arrow) must be pointed towards brachial artery
Place stethoscope in ears & the diaphragm directly on the brachial artery
Hold the diaphragm with one hand, then squeeze the bulb connected to the cuff with the other
Inflating the cuff until you cannot hear a pulse (which is about mm Hg)
Slowly release the cuff until you hear the first heart beat & note the number seen on dial
Systolic
Continue releasing until the last heart beat is heard & note the number on the dial
Diastolic
Remove cuff and record numbers!

13. Core Temperature
This internal temp is regulated by the hypothalamus region in the brain.
When temperature of the blood decreases, the hypothalamus responds and causes the blood vessels to constrict to conserve heat.
Shivering is caused by constant contraction of our muscles to produce heat to our internal organs
When too much heat is produced by the body, blood vessels dilate & sweat glands are stimulated to release heat.
Normal core body temp is 98.6 degrees

14. Core Temperature: Measured
Orally (Mouth)
Digital thermometers is the way to measure
Cover thermometer with disposable cover to ensure sanitary measures
Place probe under tongue
The unit will beep once measured
Record results
Tympanic (Ear)
Cover
Insert gently, just resting in ear canal
Press “scan” button
After the unit beeps, record measurement
What other ways have you heard how to take your temp?

15. Height: Measured Set up scale on wall Make sure shoes are off
Back to wall and heels against the wall
Stand up straight and look forward
Have them put weight on heels
Use a square object to find correct height
Record results

16. Weight: Measured Scales Shoes off Appropriate clothing
No jackets, heavy items
Stand on scales with good posture
Find the weight
Record results

17. Vision: Measured Snellen Eye Chart Mount on wall Good lighting
Measure off 20 feet
Ask about corrective lenses
Have individual cover 1 eye
Cover other eye
Read lines until miss 2
Record results for that eye
Check pupils for PEARL
Pupils
Equal
And
Reactive to
Light

18. Pulse Oximeter: Measured
Pulse Oximeter measures
SpO2%
Non-invasive way of monitoring the oxygenation of someone’s hemoglobin
Norms are 95-99%
BPM – Beats per Minute
Heart rate
Norms are 60-80

19. Why are Vital Signs Important?
They are…VITAL
They all deal with the heart and/or blood
They are a quick way for a healthcare professional to diagnose if someone is sick, or how sick they are
High HR or BP can lead to heart disease
High temperature can indicate illness
Difficulty with respiration can indicate illness

20. Assessment Get out a sheet of paper… Without looking at your notes:
List the vital signs (HR, Respiration, BP, Temp)
List the normal findings for each vital sign