Vital signs are vital

1
Vital signs are vital

• Sample lecture notes Module II Objectives 1-7

2
Rationale signs of life

• Guides course of actions
• Detects changes in health status
• Accuracy is vital
• Part of nursing assessment
• Viewed in relation to other data

3
Documentation and reporting

• Responsibility of nurse
• Abnormals MUST be dealt with
• Methods and formats vary
• Computer
• Written
• Charts

4
Temperature

• Reflect Infection inflammation
• Show balance in thermoregulation
• (or imbalance)
• Measuring
• Scale C or F

5
Tools for temp measuring

• Glass
• Electronic
• Tympanic
• Disposable strips

6
Routes

• Oral
• Rectal
• Axillary
• Core

7
Pulse

• Reflects Heart contractions
• Defined by rate, rhythm, and strength
• Normal adult
• lt60 bradycardia
• gt100 tachycardia

8
Characteristics

• Variable measuring locations
• Brachial
• Radial
• Apical
• Total nine locations

9
Pulse specifics

• Rate changes with stress
• Rhythm normal is regular
• Quality strong or weak
• Important to note if changed
• (remember vital signs are analyzed in relation
  with other data)

10
Respirations

• Body must receive oxygen and release carbon
  dioxide
• Primarily an involuntary act
• Normal is a quiet easy respiration

11
Tools

• Stealth
• Stethoscope
• Visual
• Occasionally tactile
• Environment

12
Blood pressure

• Relates information about the clients
  cardiovascular system
• Blood volume
• Peripheral vascular resistance

13
Tools

• Sphygmomanometer
• Stethoscope
• Doppler

14
Guides to measuring

• Usually brachial artery
• Under constant conditions
• Millimeters of mercury (mmHG)
• Right size
• Right place
• Right use of equipment
• Right environment

15
Hints

• Palpate first
• Wait 30 60 sec
• If changing position, wait 2 minutes for
  circulation to equalize

16
The sounds of pressure

• Korotkoff sounds (5)
• Systolic
• Diastolic
• Know normals
• Chart according to policy (2 or 3)

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Review

• Vital signs are valuable in assessing life
• Know normal
• Look for relationships
• Document findings and report changes
• Select right tools for accurate collection
• Delegate with follow-up

18
Conclusion

• Questions ?
• Concerns?
• Confusion?
• THE END