1. Medical Technology: Human Vital Signs
SNC4M
Medical Technology: Human Vital Signs

2. Essential Questions:
What are the four primary vital signs in humans and how are they measured?
What are the normal ranges for various physiological and biochemical indicators of health?

3. Vital Signs
Vital signs (VS) are measures of various physiological statistics, often taken by health professionals, in order to assess the most basic body functions.
VS are the most important measurements healthcare professionals will obtain when they evaluate or assess a patient’s condition.

4. Four Primary Vital Signs
Heart Rate (Pulse)
Blood Pressure
Body Temperature
Respiration Rate

5. Major Associated Internal Systems or Organs
Lungs
Muscular System
Brain
Liver
Heart/Circulatory System

6. Heart Rate (Pulse)
What exactly is the heart rate or pulse?

7. Heart Rate (Pulse)
A wave of blood flow that expands an artery created by a contraction of the heart.

8. Heart Rate (Pulse) (cont.)
Heart rate can be measured by finding the pulse sites of the body
Pulse sites most commonly used:
Radial pulse – located inside the wrist, near the thumb.
Brachial pulse – found in the antecubital space of the arm (the bend of the elbow) in adults.

9. Heart Rate (Pulse) (cont.)
Pulse Sites (cont.)
Apical pulse – auscultated with a stethoscope on the chest wall. The pulse is found at the apex of the heart.

10. Heart Rate (Pulse) Sites (Answers)B. D. E. F. C. G. H.
A. Temporal B. Femoral C. Popliteal D. Posterior tibial E. Carotid F. Brachial G. Radial H. Dorsalis pedis

11. Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG)

12. Heart Rate (Pulse) (cont.)
Characteristics of the Heart Rate
Assessed as beats per minute, or BPM.
Counted for 15, 20, 30, or 60 seconds.
Adults: healthy resting HR = 60–80 bpm
(taken while lying down)
Tachycardia – a pulse rate faster than normal (above 100 bpm).
Bradycardia – a pulse rate slower than normal (below 60 bpm).