Vital Signs Assessment Chapter 6 Vital Signs Assessment

Vital Signs Used to assess the conditions of the various body systems, particularly the respiratory and circulatory systems Signs will change as the body reacts to an injury or illness.

Vital Signs Pulse Respiration Blood Pressure Temperature Pain

Pulse Reflects the condition of the patient’s circulatory system and cardiac function Can only be felt in an artery Changes in pulse indicate a change in patient status. The absence of a pulse indicates cardiac arrest or death.

Pulse Use fingers to palpate an artery to listen for the heartbeat. Normal pulse rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute Average heart rate is 70 to 80 Tachycardia: rates higher than 100 Bradycardia: rates below 60 In conditioned athlete, resting pulse is frequently lower (50-60 bmp)

Pulse Described as regular or irregular Quality refers to strength of the pulse Weak, strong, thready (weak and rapid), bounding Can be felt in many places on the body Most common: radial and carotid pulse

Pulse Other places where the pulse may be felt: Temporal artery Brachial artery Femoral artery Popliteal artery Dorsalis pedis artery

Respiration The process of bringing oxygen into the body where it can be utilized by the cells, and expelling carbon dioxide as a waste product from the cells A single respiration consists of one inspiration and one expiration.

Respiration General guidelines for normal rates are: Age 15 years and older: 16 to 18 breaths per minute Well-trained athlete: may be lower because of the increase of the lung volume and vital capacity

Respiratory Patterns Abdominal Apnea Bradypnea Cheyne-Stokes respiration Decreased Dyspnea Hyperpnoea or tachypnea Labored breathing

Blood Pressure A measurement of the force of the blood exerted against the walls of the arteries Recorded as two measurements Systolic: top number in a blood pressure reading Diastolic: bottom number of a blood pressure reading

Blood Pressure Terms Hypotension Hypertension Sphygmomanometer Low blood pressure Hypertension High blood pressure Sphygmomanometer Blood pressure cuff Measures a person’s blood pressure along with a stethoscope

Temperature Core temperature must remain within a relatively narrow range in order for the body’s various systems to function efficiently Regulated by an area in the brain known as the hypothalamus Group of cells monitors the temperature of the blood and responds to any change of temperature

Temperature Normal body temperature is 98.6 ° Fahrenheit (37° Celsius) Core readings are more reliable indicators of the body’s temperature than those reflecting surface temperature. Temperature value obtained may differ depending on the measurement site

Weight and Height Excess weight can contribute to a variety of health risks. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis Decreased life expectancy Poor circulation in the legs Increased risk of diabetes Increased stress on joints

Weight and Height Weight is an important factor in maintaining good health. Height and weight are almost always measured in the course of a physical examination.

Additional Vital Signs Pain level Skin color (e.g., red, pale or ashen, blue) Pupils: size and reaction to light State of consciousness Strength and sensory changes