1. Vital Information Kristen Loper, RN, BSN Clinic Nurse Educator Billings Clinic

2. Vital Signs are VITAL!!!  Temperature  Pulse  Respirations  Blood Pressure

3. Who can take vitals?

4. ALWAYS…  Identify yourself  Identify your patient  Wash your hands  Explain what you are doing

5. Temperature  Oral – considerations, technique  Tympanic – technique  Normal ranges

6. Pulse and Respirations  Considerations  Finding an artery  Irregular vs. regular  How do you count breathing?  Irregular vs. regular  Normal ranges

7. Blood Pressure  Considerations  Equipment  Choosing an arm  Patient prep

8. Blood Pressure (cont’d) Technique:  Use of stethoscope  Applying the cuff  Bulb/valve  Meter  How high do you go?  You’re ready!!

9. Blood Pressure (cont’d)  Systolic vs. diastolic  Normal ranges  DOCUMENTATION!!

10. LET’S GIVE IT A TRY!!