[HA SL] VITALS

Vital Signs

Measurements of essential body functions including temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

Times to Assess Vital Signs

Instances such as admission to a health agency, baseline data establishment, health status changes, before/after surgeries, and nursing interventions.

Body Temperature

Reflects the balance between heat production and loss in the body, measured in degrees.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

Influences like age, diurnal rhythm, exercise, hormones, stress, and environmental conditions.

Sites for Body Temperature

Oral, rectal, axillary, tympanic membrane, and forehead, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Normal Ranges of Temperatures for Adults

Ranges in Fahrenheit and Celsius for oral, rectal, axillary, tympanic, and forehead measurements.

Types of Fever

Intermittent, remittent, relapsing, constant, and fever spike, each with distinct temperature patterns.

Purposes for Assessing Body Temperature

Establishing baseline data, monitoring core temperature changes, and identifying clients at risk.

Steps in Assessing Body Temperature

Preparation, equipment assembly, procedure explanation, hygiene, positioning, measurement, and interpretation.