NHA CCMA - Vital Signs (NRTC 2026

Blood Pressure

Pressure of blood against arteries

Normal BP

120/80 mmHg

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Systolic

Pressure during heart contraction

Diastolic

Pressure during relaxation

Pulse

Heart rate in beats per minute

Tachycardia

Pulse >100 bpm

Bradycardia

Pulse <60 bpm

Respiration

Number of breaths per minute

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing

Bradypnea

Slow breathing

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Apnea

No breathing

Hypoxia

Low oxygen

Oxygen Saturation

% of oxygen in blood

Pulse Oximeter

Device measuring oxygen saturation

Temperature

Body heat measurement

Fever

>100.4°F oral

Hypothermia

Low body temperature (<95°F)

Oral Temp

Average 98.6°F

Axillary Temp

1°F lower than oral

Rectal Temp

1°F higher than oral

Tympanic Temp

Ear temperature

Pain Scale

0-10 pain rating

BMI

Body mass index

Orthostatic Vitals

Lying, sitting, standing BP/HR

Baseline Vitals

Patient's usual vital signs

Circumference Measurement

Measuring waist or extremities

Growth Charts

Pediatric development charts

Height

Measured without shoes

Weight

Measured in pounds or kg

Pulse Locations

Radial, brachial, carotid, apical

Apical Pulse

Heartbeat heard with stethoscope

Respiratory Depth

Deep, shallow, normal

Respiratory Rhythm

Regular or irregular pattern

Pulse Rhythm

Regular or irregular

Bounding Pulse

Strong pulse

Thready Pulse

Weak pulse

Hypoventilation

Slow shallow breathing

Hyperventilation

Fast deep breathing

Pulse Deficit

Difference between apical and radial pulses

SPO2 Normal

95-100%

Cuff Size Too Small

Falsely high BP

Cuff Size Too Large

Falsely low BP

Korotkoff Sounds

Sounds heard during BP measurement

Peak Flow

Measures lung airway flow

Menstrual Status

May affect vitals

Intake

Review of medications, allergies

Anthropometric Measurements

Height, weight, BMI