Introduction to Vital Signs

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Introduction to Vital Signs
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Vital Signs

• Various determinations that provide information
  conditions of the patient.
• Used to assess health of body

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Vital Signs

• 4 Major

• Other Important Measurements

• Temperature
• Pulse
• Respiration
• Blood Pressure

• Pain Scale
• Color of Skin
• Pupil Size
• Pupil Reactivity
• Level of Consciousness
• Response to Stimuli

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Body Temperature

• A measurement of the balance heat lost and heat
  produced by the body.
• Can be measured in mouth (oral), the rectum
  (rectal), the armpit (axillary), and the ear
  (aural)

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Temp. Continued

• Different readings can indicate disease
• Most temperature is measured in degrees.
• Fahrenheit vs. Celsius- Conversion may be
  necessary.

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Pulse

• The pressure of blood felt against the wall of an
  artery as the heart contracts and relaxes.
• Rate BPM (beats per minute)
• Rhythm regularity
• Volume strength
• Apical Pulse taken at the apex of the heart

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Respirations

• Breathing rate of person
• Rhythm/Rate regularity
• Character type

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Blood Pressure

• The force exerted by the blood against the
  arterial walls when the heart contracts or
  relaxes.

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TEMPERATURE
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The loss and production of HEAT!!!!!

• Loss perspiration, respiration, and excretion
• Production metabolism of food and muscle and
  gland activity
• Why is temperature important?

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Homeostasis

• Constant state of fluid balance
• Ideal health in human body
• Chemical reactions regulated by body temperature
• If temp is too high or too low the bodys fluid
  balance is affected

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Variations in Temp

• Normal Range 97-100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Individual differences bodily processes
  (slow/fast)
• Time of the day morning vs. evening
• Body Sites
• Oral
• Rectal
• Axillary
• Aural
• Temporal

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Oral

• By mouth
• Usually takes 3-5 minutes
• Most common
• Most comfy
• Norm 98.6

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Rectal

• From the rectum
• Usually takes 3-5 minutes
• Most accurate
• Most uncomfortable
• Norm 99.6

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Axillary

• Under the armpit
• External reading
• Less accurate
• Usually takes 10 minutes
• Norm 97.6

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Aural

• Inside the ear
• Measures core temp.
• Can be inaccurate if inserted incorrectly
• Usually takes less than 2 seconds for a reading
• No norm

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Temporal

• Newest method
• Thermometer passed across the forehead
• Measures temperature of blood in the temporal
  artery
• Proving to be the most accurate

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Changes in Body Temperature

• Increases
• Decreases
• Hypothermia low body temp (below 95) death
  usually occurs at below 93
• Hyperthermia high body temp (above 104)
  convulsions, brain damage or death can occur
  above 106

• (Pyrexia) Fever elevated body temperature (101
  degrees)
• Febrilefever
• Afebrileno fever

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Types of Thermometers

• Clinical slender glass tube containing mercury
  or alcohol with red dye.
• Electronic registers temp. in about 60 secs.
  Used in a variety of facilities. Can be battery,
  solar or powered by an outlet
• Tympanic records aural temperatures. reads
  within 1-2 secs. Accuracy is key.
• Temporal measure temporal artery. Accurate. Easy
  to use. Non invasive.

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Reading and Recording Temp

• When recording the temperature to decrease errors
  always write?????????
• If a reading is
• Rectal put a (R) beside the temp
• Axillary put (Ax) beside the temp
• Aural put (A) beside the temp

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Cleaning Thermometers

• Must be cleaned after each use
• Procedures vary
• Covers can be used in some cases.