Chapter 37: Vital Signs and Measurements

Adult Height

Measured to the nearest ¼ inch

Adult Weight

Use a disposable towel on the scale, ensure balance is accurate

Toddler Weight

Weigh parent + toddler, then parent alone; subtract

BP (Adult)

110/65 to 120/80 mm Hg

Pulse (Adult)

60-100 bpm

Respirations

12-20 per minute

Oral Temp

97 degrees F- 99 degrees F (98.6 degrees F average)

Celsius Equiv.

98,9 F = 37 F

Most Accurate Temp

Rectal

Least Accurate Temp

Disposable strips

Tympanic

Attach sheath, insert snugly

Oral

Must breathe through nose, place under tongue center

Rectal

Insert carefully, hold in place

Axillary

Shaft faces forward arm across chest, avoid powder

Radical Pulse

Thumb side wrist

Brachial Pulse

Elbow bend

Apical pulse

Apex of heart

Dyspnea

Difficult/painful breathing

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing

Apnea

Absence of breathing

Hyperpnea

Deep, labored breathing

Bradypnea

SLow breathing

Orthopnea

Breathing only when sitting/standing

Cheyne-stokes

Pattern of increasing/decreasing respirations with apnea

Systolic

First tapping sound (heart contracts)

Diastolic

Last tapping sounds (heart relaxes)

Korotoff sound: Phase I

Sharp tapping (Systolic)

Korotkoff sound: Phase II

Swishing

Korotkoff sound: Phase III

Rhythmic tapping

Korotkoff sound: Phase IV

Muffling

Korotkoff sound: Phase V

Disappearance (Diastolic)

Radiation

Heat loss to cooler environment

Convection

Heat loss via air movement (e.g. fan)

Evaporation

Heat loss via vaporizing sweat

Conduction

Heat loss to cooler object (e.g. clothing)

Elimination

Heat loss via respiration, excretion

Hyperpyrexia

Exceptionally high fever

Afebrile

Normal temperature

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in BP from lying/sitting to standing

Bradycardia

Pulse >60 bpm

Calibration

Ensures aneroid sphygmomanometer is accurate

mm Hg

Millimeters if mercury (BP unit)

Hypoxemia

Low blood oxygen

HTN

Hypertension

Pulse Ox

Pulse oximeter (oxygen level)