Vitals

Vitals Blood Pressure Blood Pressure Pulse Pulse Respiratory Rate Respiratory Rate Body Temperature Body Temperature

Blood Pressure The pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels The pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels One of the principal vital signs One of the principal vital signs During each heartbeat, BP varies between During each heartbeat, BP varies between Systolic Pressure: maximum Diastolic Pressure: minimum

Blood Pressure The mean BP decreases as the circulating blood moves away from the heart through arteries The mean BP decreases as the circulating blood moves away from the heart through arteries Greatest decrease in the small arteries and arterioles Greatest decrease in the small arteries and arterioles Continues to decrease as the blood moves through the capillaries Continues to decrease as the blood moves through the capillaries Then back to the heart through veins Then back to the heart through veins

Systolic Blood Pressure The force of the blood against the artery walls when the left ventricle contracts and blood is pumped out of the heart The force of the blood against the artery walls when the left ventricle contracts and blood is pumped out of the heart This is when the sound starts This is when the sound starts

Diastolic Blood Pressure The force of the blood against the arterial walls when the heart is relaxed. The force of the blood against the arterial walls when the heart is relaxed. This is when the sound stops This is when the sound stops

High Blood Pressure Pre-hypertension: Pre-hypertension: Any Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 Any Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 Hypertension: Hypertension: Any Blood Pressure that exceeds 140/90 Any Blood Pressure that exceeds 140/90

Hypertension Can lead to: Can lead to: Heart Attacks Heart Attacks Strokes Strokes Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis Treatment includes: Treatment includes: Exercise Exercise Low fat diet Low fat diet Blood Pressure reducing medication Blood Pressure reducing medication

How to take Blood Pressure How to take Blood Pressure the person should be sitting comfortably and relaxed the person should be sitting comfortably and relaxed Sleeves are pushed up or the shirt removed to reveal a naked arm Sleeves are pushed up or the shirt removed to reveal a naked arm clothing can interfere with the pressure of the inflated cuff as well as hearing the sounds. clothing can interfere with the pressure of the inflated cuff as well as hearing the sounds. The cuff of the sphygmomanometer is placed on the upper arm over the brachial artery which is located in the crook of the elbow The cuff of the sphygmomanometer is placed on the upper arm over the brachial artery which is located in the crook of the elbow The gauge should be placed so it can be easily read. The gauge should be placed so it can be easily read.

BP Measurements Cont. Feel for the brachial pulse and place the end of the stethoscope over this spot. Feel for the brachial pulse and place the end of the stethoscope over this spot. Place the ear pieces on the stethoscope into your ears. Place the ear pieces on the stethoscope into your ears. Listen to the brachial pulse. Listen to the brachial pulse. Close the valve the cuff and begin to squeeze the bulb. Close the valve the cuff and begin to squeeze the bulb. Continue squeezing until the needle on the gauge reads at least 180 Continue squeezing until the needle on the gauge reads at least 180 It is usually pumped up to mmHg on the gauge. It is usually pumped up to mmHg on the gauge.

BP Measurements Cont. Open the valve slowly and allow the cuff to deflate by 5mmHg/second while you listen to the artery. Open the valve slowly and allow the cuff to deflate by 5mmHg/second while you listen to the artery. When you first hear the sound this is the systolic pressure. When you first hear the sound this is the systolic pressure. Continue deflating the cuff until you no longer hear the sound. This is the diastolic pressure. Continue deflating the cuff until you no longer hear the sound. This is the diastolic pressure. At this point you can open the valve completely to allow the cuff to deflate rapidly. At this point you can open the valve completely to allow the cuff to deflate rapidly. If you did not hear clearly, wait at least one minute before repeating the procedure. If you did not hear clearly, wait at least one minute before repeating the procedure.

BP Measurements Cont. Always take the Blood Pressure on the Left Arm Always take the Blood Pressure on the Left Arm Never pump the cuff above 220 Never pump the cuff above 220 DO NOT leave cuff inflated for more than 5 seconds. DO NOT leave cuff inflated for more than 5 seconds. Make sure the person is relaxed and not moving Make sure the person is relaxed and not moving Have the person breath normally Have the person breath normally