University:
West Coast University
Course:
NURS 100 | Fundamentals of Nursing
Academic year:

2022
Views:

33

Pages:

1
Author:

Lance Gutierrez

Vital Signs Temperature Normal body temperature can range from 97.8 degrees F to 99 degrees F for a healthy adult. A person's body temperature can be taken in any of the following ways: Orally. Can be taken by mouth using either the classic glass thermometer, or the more modern digital thermometers. Rectally. Can be taken using a glass or digital thermometer tend to be 0.5 to 0.7 degrees F higher than when taken by mouth. Axillary. Temperatures can be taken under the arm using a glass or digital thermometer. Temperatures taken by this route tend to be 0.3 to 0.4 degrees F lower than those temperatures taken by mouth. By ear. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the ear drum, which reflects the body's core temperature. By skin. Temperature of the skin on the forehead. Blood pressure Pulse rate The pulse rate is a measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. As the heart pushes blood through the arteries, the arteries expand and contract with the flow of the blood. Taking a pulse not only measures the heart rate, but also can indicate the following: Vital signs Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals.: Body temperature, Pulse rate, Respiration rate (rate of breathing and Blood pressure Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere. Heart rhythm (60 to 100 beats per minute ) Strength of the pulse 0 = Absent 1 = Barely palpable 2 = Easily palpable 3 = Full 4 = Aneurysmal or bounding pulse Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method for monitoring a person's oxygen saturation. Though its reading of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) is not always identical to the more desirable reading of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) from ABG. Only ABG can give releable information, also fake nails or cold fingers can alter finding. 95% to 100% if expected value. Respiration The respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. Normal respiration rates for an adult person at rest range from 12 to 16 breaths per minute. Abnormal breathening patterns Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls during contraction and relaxation of the heart. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries, resulting in the highest blood pressure as the heart contracts. When the heart relaxes, the blood pressure falls. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure (less than 90/60). Abnormally low blood pressure can cause problems such as dizziness and fainting. Most doctors consider blood pressure too low only if it causes symptoms. Aneroid monitor The aneroid monitor is less expensive than the digital monitor. The cuff is inflated by hand by squeezing a rubber bulb. Some units even have a special feature to make it easier to put the cuff on with one hand. However, the unit can be easily damaged and become less accurate. Because the person using it must listen for heartbeats with the stethoscope, it may not be appropriate for the hearing-impaired Classifications: