Vital Signs

• Pulse
• Respiration
• Temperature
• Blood Pressure
• Pain

as often as the patients condition requires it

36.0 - 37.5 C (97.0 - 99.5 F)

60 - 100 beats/min

80-180 beats/min

12-20 breaths/min

30 - 80 breaths/min

120/80

73/55

• fever
• temp over 37 C or 98.6 F

when a pt alternates between periods of fever and normal or subnormal temps

when the pt alternates several degrees above 2 degrees C (3.6 F) above normal but does not reach normal

temperature that remains consistantly elevated and flucuates less than 2 degrees C (3.6 F)

A temp that returns to normal for at least a day but then the fever returns

when the fever returns to normal suddenly

When the fever returns to normal gradually

a fever above 41 C (105.8 F)

temp below 36C (97F)

• forehead
• axillary
• oral
• rectal
• tympanic

• 0 - absent
• 1+ - thready
• 2+ - weak
• 3+ - normal
• 4+ - bounding

• rapid pulse rate
• 100 - 180 beats/ min in adults

• Slow pulse rate
• <80 beats/min

• decrease in BP
• Elevated temp
• poor oxygenation of the blood
• exercise
• prolonged application of heat
• pain
• strong emotions
• medications

an irregular pattern of heart beats

• temporal
• carotid
• apical
• brachial
• radial
• femoral
• popliteal
• posterior tibial
• dorsalis pedis

the difference between the apical and radial pulses.

• ventilation
• diffusion
• perfusion

the movement of air in and out of the lungs

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the circulating blood

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and the tissue cells

normal respirations

increased respiratory rate

• age
• gender
• exercise
• acid-base balance
• brain lesions
• increased altitude
• respiratory diseases
• anemia
• anxiety
• medications
• acute pain

decreased respiratory rate

absense of breathing

difficult or labored breathing

breathing more easily while sitting upright

increased rate and depth of breaths

decreased rate and depth, irregular

alternating periods of deep rapid breathing followed by periods of apnea; regular

• drug overdose
• heart failure
• increased intracranial pressure
• renal failure

varying depth and rate of breathing followed by periods of apnea; irregular

• meningitis
• severe brain damage

• age
• circadian rhythm
• gender
• food intake
• exercise
• weight
• emotional state
• body position
• race
• medications

a rapid decrease in blood pressure when moving from the siting/laying position to a standing position

the series of sounds that you hear upon auscultation of the blood pressure