1. Vital Signs Assessment
Chapter 6
Vital Signs Assessment

2. 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.

3. Vital Signs
Pulse
Respiration
Blood Pressure
Temperature
Pain

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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