1. Vital Signs

2. Vital Signs Homeostasis – state of equilibrium
Vital Signs – assessment of pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature
Body functions essential to life

3. The Pulse Measurement of heartbeat
Blood vessels expand & contract when heart beats
Reflects condition of circulatory system
Normal = 60 to 100 beats per minute
Tachycardia = higher than 100
Bradycardia = below 60

4. The Pulse Rapid but weak pulse Rapid and strong Shock Bleeding
Diabetic coma
Heat exhaustion
Rapid and strong
Heat stroke
Hypertension (high blood pressure)

5. Circulatory System
Arteries – vessels carry blood away from heart to body
Veins – vessels carry blood from body to heart

6. Pulse Sites
Radial
Carotid
Apical – apex of heart

7. Other Pulse Sites Temporal Artery Brachial Artery Femoral Artery
Popliteal Artery – back of knee
Dorsalis Pedis - foot

8. Respiration
Respiration – breathing; brings oxygen into body while taking carbon dioxide out of body
Single respiration – one inspiration (in) and one expiration (out)

9. Respiration 15 years and older – 15 to 20 breaths per minute
Well-trained athlete – 6 to 8 breaths per minute

10. Abnormal Respirations
Apnea – cessation of breathing; temporary or permanent
Bradypnea – abnormally slow
Cheyne-Stokes – grossly irregular consisting of apnea with fast or slow
Dyspnea – difficult or painful breathing
Tachynea – abnormally rapid
Kussmaul’s – deep, gasping respirations

11. Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure – the pressure exerted by the circulating blood against the walls of the arteries
Systolic – top number
Heart is contracting
Diastolic – bottom number
Heart is relaxing

12. Blood Pressure Normal – 120/80
Abnormal systolic – below 100 or above 140
Abnormal diastolic – below 65 or above 90
BP is mearsured in mm Hg

14. Blood Pressure Hypertension – high blood pressure
Indicator of cardiac problems and strokes
Hypotension – low blood pressure
Could indicate shock, dehydration, or internal bleeding

16. Temperature Temperature – internal body temp. Normal – 98.6º F
Abnormal – illness, heat exhaustion, heat stroke