Chapter 2 — Vital Signs / Measurements

Systolic blood pressure

Pressure when the ventricles contract

Diastolic blood pressure

Pressure when the ventricles relax

First Korotkoff sound

Systolic blood pressure

Cuff too small

Causes a falsely high blood pressure reading

Cuff too large

Causes a falsely low blood pressure reading

Arm above heart level

Causes a falsely low blood pressure reading

Arm below heart level

Causes a falsely high blood pressure reading

Pulse

Number of heartbeats per minute

Respiration

Number of breaths per minute

Eupnea

Normal breathing

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing

Apnea

Absence of breathing

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Pulse oximetry

Measures oxygen saturation in the blood

SpO2

Peripheral oxygen saturation

Cold finger during pulse oximetry

May cause an inaccurate reading; warm the finger and recheck

Objective data

Measurable or observable information

Subjective data

Information reported by the patient

Pain rating

Subjective data

Syncope

Fainting or temporary loss of consciousness

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating

kg to lb

Multiply kilograms by 2.2

lb to kg

Divide pounds by 2.2

Before weighing a patient

Balance the scale at zero