4_PT25_NOTES_VITAL SIGNS

Younger patients tend to have lower blood pressure, while elderly patients may have slightly higher systolic and lower diastolic values.

The normal pulse rate range for children aged 1 to 7 years is 80 - 120 beats per minute (bpm).

A person whose body temperature is elevated before treatment should not be asked to exercise.

The amount of blood that is pumped from the heart during each contraction.

Physical activity increases the rate and depth of respiration during exercise.

A normal blood oxygen saturation reading at sea level is between 95% to 100%.

The absence of breathing.

Systemic arterial BP is a physiologic variable that reflects the effects of cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, and other hemodynamic factors.

The period when the least amount of pressure is exerted on the walls of the arteries during the heartbeat; usually indicates the resting phase of the heart.

The insertion of a tube into the larynx to maintain an open airway.

The rate of respiration is measured by counting the number of breaths per minute.

Adventitious breath sounds indicate disease and are superimposed on normal breath sounds; they are classified as discontinuous or continuous.

Fever (pyrexic) is defined as a body temperature of ≥ 100° F (38° C).

Normal adult blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.

Body temperature that is above the normal level; also referred to as pyrexia.

Medications can raise or lower blood pressure; for example, antihypertensives may cause temporary low blood pressure.

Blood pressure drops with blood loss and rises with increased blood volume.

A palpable wave of blood produced in the walls of the arteries with each heartbeat or contraction.

Pertaining to the rectum or the distal portion of the large intestine.

Nonverbal vocal complaints include sighs, gasps, moans, groans, and cries.

The normal pulse rate range for newborns is 100 - 130 beats per minute (bpm).

The pulse that is found when a stethoscope is placed on the chest wall over the apex of the heart; also may be found by palpation.

Profuse perspiration.

Disturbance of rhythm.

Factors contributing to high blood pressure include obesity, physical inactivity, excessive nicotine, alcohol, or salt use, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, oral contraceptives, advanced age, kidney disease, race, and diet.

Systolic blood pressure increases with exercise and returns to normal within 3-5 minutes, while diastolic blood pressure remains stable.

Abnormally low blood pressure.

The active phase of respiration when the person breathes in; also referred to as inhalation.

A condition in which breathing is easier when the person is seated or standing.

An upper chest breather is someone whose thorax elevates and expands during inspiration, while the abdomen remains motionless.

Absence of oxygen in the tissues.

A slow heartbeat (i.e., pulse rate less than 60 beats/min); may be a normal finding in a well-conditioned person or an abnormal finding.

Systolic pressure is the blood pressure at the time of contraction of the left ventricle.

Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a resting systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg.

To fit close together; to close tight; to obstruct or close off.

The depth of respiration refers to the amount of air exchanged with each breath.

An instrument used to measure blood pressure; it may use a mercury column or an enclosed air-pressure spring system.

High altitudes cause respiration rate to increase until acclimation occurs.

Crackles (rales) are found in conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, and early congestive heart failure.

The average oral temperature for adults is 98.6° F (37° C).

A pulse oximeter measures the level of blood oxygen saturation, monitors pulse rate, and calculates heart rate.

The most common and convenient site to assess body temperature is the oral cavity.

Variation from the normal rhythm.

Korotkoff’s sounds are the sounds heard while measuring blood pressure, including the first faint, clear tapping sounds indicating systolic pressure, and the muffling of sounds indicating diastolic pressure.

Hypotension is a condition where the systolic pressure is consistently below 100 mmHg.

Wheezes occur during expiration when air flows through narrowed airways; they are seen in conditions like COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary edema.

Preparation for lung auscultation includes ensuring a quiet environment, having the patient sit up or stand, breathe through the mouth, warming the stethoscope, and performing auscultation over bare skin while avoiding contact with bed rails or clothing.

The normal pulse rate range for adults is 60 - 100 beats per minute (bpm).

Common sites for pulse measurement include the temporal artery, carotid artery, brachial artery, radial artery, femoral artery, popliteal artery, dorsalis pedis artery, and posterior tibial artery.

The rectum is considered the most accurate site for assessing body temperature.

Patients with normal body temperature should be monitored for normal responses; if excessive temperature is observed, ensure adequate rest to stabilize temperature.

Labored or difficult breathing.

The passive phase of respiration when the person breathes out; also referred to as exhalation.

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Narrowed arteries increase blood pressure, while decreased elasticity raises systolic and lowers diastolic pressure.

Higher cardiac output increases systolic blood pressure, while lower output decreases it.

Tracheal breath sounds are high-pitched, harsh, hollow, and loud, best heard in the neck region.

A temperature greater than 106° F (41.1° C) is considered hyperpyrexic.

Hypoxemia is indicated by pulse oximetry readings below 90%.

Listening for sounds produced within the body by using the unaided ear or a stethoscope.

A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure, specifically the pressure inside an artery caused by blood flow or force per unit area of the blood vessel wall.

Prehypertensive blood pressure is defined as between 120-139 mmHg systolic or 80-90 mmHg diastolic.

The forearm should be level with the fourth intercostal space, as arm position can affect blood pressure readings.

Blood pressure is usually higher in the left arm, and thigh measurements yield higher systolic blood pressure than the arm.

An abnormal, discontinuous, nonmusical sound heard on auscultation of the chest, primarily during inhalation; also called a crackle.

Shortness of breath.

A shrill, harsh sound, especially the respiratory sound heard during inspiration in a person with a laryngeal obstruction.

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage; it is highly personal and subjective.

The normal oral temperature range for adults is 96.8° F to 99.3° F (36° C to 37.3° C).

Factors that can affect pulse rate include age, gender, environmental temperature, infection, physical activity, emotional status, medications, cardiopulmonary disease, and physical conditioning.

Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure at the time of the rest period of the heart.

Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a consistent reading of 180/110 mmHg.

Arising or produced abnormally.

Blood pressure rises during stress or strong emotions.

Pertaining to the groin.

Significant fluid loss due to dehydration may lead to low blood pressure.

A medical device that measures levels of blood oxygen saturation, monitors pulse rate, and calculates heart rate.

The act of breathing.

Measurement of a person’s body temperature, heart and respiration rates, and blood pressure; also referred to as cardinal signs.

Muscle contraction to maintain arm position can raise blood pressure.

Respiration (pulmonary ventilation) is the process involving the inflow (inspiration) and outflow (expiration) of air between the environment and the lungs.

An abdominal breather is someone whose abdomen expands during inspiration, while the thorax remains motionless.

Sounds heard during auscultatory determination of blood pressure; believed to be produced by the vibratory motion of the arterial wall as the artery suddenly distends when compressed by a pneumatic blood pressure cuff.

The rhythm of respiration refers to the regularity of the breathing pattern.

Abnormal sounds in respiration include wheezing, rales, and stridor.

The character of respiration refers to deviations from normal, resting, or quiet breathing.

An abnormally fast heartbeat (i.e., a pulse rate greater than 100 beats/min).

Normal respiration is characterized by no sound being heard during normal, resting breathing.

A temporary suspension of consciousness caused by cerebral anemia; fainting.

An instrument used to convey sounds produced in the body of a person to the ears of the examiner; it is comprised of a diaphragm, tubing, and earpieces.

The period when the greatest amount of pressure is exerted on the walls of the arteries during heartbeat; usually indicates the contractile phase of the heartbeat.

Patient’s sense or level of pain

Can be used to establish treatment goals, assist with developing treatment plain, and assess patient’s response or treatment effectiveness,

Elderly patients, Very young patients (below 2 years old), Debilitated patients, Patients who have performed limited aerobic activities for several weeks or months, Patients with a previous or current history of cardiovascular problems, Patients recovering from recent trauma, Patients with conditions that affect the cardiopulmonary system, Patients recovering from recent major surgery.

Level or amount of physical activity, environmental temperature, Person’s age, emotional status of the person, physiologic status of the person (i.e. existence of illness, disease, trauma, or use of medications)

An indication of the intensity or degree of heat within the body

Self-report is the most reliable indicator of a patient's pain level.

98.6 Degrees F (37 Degrees C)

97.8 F to 100.3 F (36.6 C to 38.1 C)