1 Vital Signs Pakistan ICITAP

2 Learning Objectives Understand what Vital Signs are Learn the correct way to take and monitor Vital Signs Learn what normal Vital Signs are Learn the importance of recognizing abnormal Vital Signs

3 Introduction As Police Officers, you will be exposed to people with altered vital signs resulting from accidents, combat and blast injuries A victim with abnormal vital signs may have a serious medical condition that must be treated at a facility as soon as possible A knowledge of first aid can often mean the difference between life and death

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5 What are vital signs? Physical signs such as heart beat, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure These are physical signs that can be measured to determine that an individual is alive They also assess the level of physical functioning of an individual

6 Remember Normal ranges of measurements of vital signs change with age and condition!

7 Vital Signs There are six basic Vital Signs:  Pulse  Respirations  Blood Pressure  Skin  Temperature  Pupils

8 Pulse Various locations in the body to measure pulse  Pulse is measured according to:  Rate  Rhythm  Regular / Irregular  Is it within the normal limits?

9 Location of pulse Carotid pulse

10 Taking a carotid pulse

11 Location of pulse Radial pulse

12 Taking a radial pulse

13 Other Pulse Sites

14 Pulse rate Measured in the amount of beats per minute Most accurate if taken for 60 seconds If a regular pulse is present, you can take for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 You should note if pulse is regular or irregular

15 Normal Ranges of Pulse Rates  In adults: beats per minute

16 Respirations Respiration is measured by: Rate Rhythm Regular / Irregular Quality

17 Adult:  breaths per minute Adequate Breathing Rates Age (years) Breathing Rate (breaths per minute) < Can range from > Children:

18 Rhythm of respiration Rhythm:  Regular - when in and out breaths occur in steady, normal rhythm  Irregular - rhythm is fast followed by slow breaths, OR unexpected breathing occurs

19 Quality of respirations Normal - clear Shallow – weak in and out air exchange Labored - difficulty breathing? Noisy - wheezing, snoring, gurgling

20 Inadequate Breathing Less than 12 or greater than 20 Rhythm - Irregular Quality:  effort is labored and shallow

21 Skin Temperature Warm? Hot? Cool? Cold?

22 Skin Color  Pale?  Pink?  Ashen?

23 Skin Condition Wet? Dry? Clammy?

24 Taking a temperature  Use a clean oral thermometer  Oral has blue tip  Shake the thermometer down to below 34.4C  Read and record victim’s temperature

25 How to take a temperature Place end of an ORAL thermometer in the heat pocket under tongue Instruct victim to close mouth and lips DO NOT BITE DOWN on the thermometer

26 Temperature Normal temperature (taken orally) is: 37 degrees (Celsius) 98.6 degrees (Fahrenheit)

27 Taking someone's temperature Oral Temperature can be taken:  If the victim is conscious AND  The victim can follow directions AND  The victim can breath through his nose AND  The victim is NOT receiving oxygen

28 Taking someone's temperature DO NOT take an oral temperature if the victim:  Has smoked, chewed gum, ate or drank within the last 30 minutes  Is confused, disturbed, sedated or likely to bite the thermometer  Leave the thermometer in place at least 3 minutes. But no more than 4 is needed.

29 Temperature When you are done taking someone's temperature: Document the temperature When done, place used thermometer cover in trash

30 Pupils Pupils are a good indicator of neurological functioning. They can be: Normal Constricted Dilated Unequal

31 Pupils Normal Pupils Constricted Pupils Dilated Pupils

32 Pupils Unequal Pupils Equal Pupils

33 Questions?

34 Class Practical Exercise Practice some of the skills shared in this presentation Practice some of the skills shared in this presentation