EMT B Vitals

Blood pressure normal ranges (adult)

Systolic: 90-120 mmHg

Diastolic: 60-80 mmHg

Blood pressure normal ranges (Peds)

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Stage 1: 130-139 over 80-89

Stage 2: 140+ over 90+

Hypertensive emergency: 180+ over 120+

Long term negative effects in Stage 1 and 2 may not cause noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms of a Hypertensive emergency may include:

Anxiety

Nausea and vomiting

Chest pain

Blurred vision

Confusion

Unresponsiveness

Seizure

Sever headache shortness of breath

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Moderate: 80/50 mmHg

Severe: 70/40 mmHg

Patients with moderate hypotension could be asymptomatic.

Complications:

Falls and fall related injuries due to dizziness or fainting

Organ damage or shock

Heart problems or stroke

Deep vein thrombosis

Heart rate (Adults)

60-100 bpm (resting)

Could be as low as 40 in athletic individuals.

Heart rate (Peds)

Age and Heart rate (BPM)

0-3 months: 110-160

3-6 months: 100-150

6-12 months: 90-130

1-3 years: 80-125

3-6 years: 70-115

6-18 years: 60-100

Tachycardia

Resting heart rate greater than 100 bpm

Bradycardia

Resting heart rate fewer than 60 bpm.

Not uncommon for heart rates to be from 40-60 bpm in athletic patients. A heart in rate in the 30's is cause for concern.

Pulse location

Brachial Artery Pulse

The brachial pulse is commonly utilized when measuring blood pressure and IV access.

It is the easiest way to check pulse on infants.

Inner upper arm in the antecubital fossa just above the elbow crease in adults.

Higher on the inner upper arm between the biceps and triceps on infants.

Pulse location

Radial Artery Pulse

Found in the groove of the wrist on the thumb side with palm facing up.

Commonly used to measure heart rate in clinical settings.

Pulse location

Femoral

Pulse location

Carotid

Pulse location

Posterior tibial pulse

Pulse location

Dorsal Pedis

Pulse location

Popliteal Pulse

Pulse location

Temporal pulse

Pulse location

Apical Pulse