1. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Vital Signs

2. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Vital Signs Values used to measure changes in body function, general health, and response to treatment Include blood pressure (BP) and temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR) and level of pain Affected by many factors: age, activity, nutrition, emotion, fitness, medication, and illness

3. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Assessing Vital Signs Once a day (daily) Twice a day (bid) Three times a day (tid) Four times a day (qid) Every 4 hours (q4h) Every 15 minutes (q15min)

4. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Blood Pressure Measurement of the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries as it circulates through the body Maximum pressure at which the pulse can be heard is systolic Minimum pressure at which it is audible is diastolic

5. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Instruments for Taking Blood Pressure Stethoscope amplifies the sound Sphygmomanometer is an inflatable cuff that measures pressure using air (aneroid) or mercury

6. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure 6-1 Sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope

7. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Temperature The measurement of the balance between the heat produced and lost by the body Four methods commonly used to measure temperature –Mouth (oral) –Armpit (axillary) –Rectum (rectal) –Ear (temporal)

8. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Table 6-1 Temperature

9. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Types of Thermometers Glass with an expandable mercury filling –Expandable mercury filling –Oral –Rectal Electronic Disposable chemical thermometers

10. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Pulse Pulse is the heartbeat that can be felt, or palpated, on surface arteries as the artery walls expand The pulse is usually assessed using the radial artery near the wrist Normal adult pulse rate can range between 60 and 100 beats per minute The pulse of an infant is significantly faster than that of an adult

11. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Table 6-2 Pulse Ranges by Age Group

12. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Respiration One respiration includes the inspiration and expiration of a breath The rhythm and character of respiration are important observations

13. Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Box 6-2 Respiration in Adults