CNA Vital Sign Numbers

Normal range for oral temperature in fahrenheit

97.6-99.6 F

Normal range for rectal temperature fahrenheit

98.6-100.6 F

Normal range for axillary temperature fahrenheit

96.6-98.6 F

Normal range for tympanic temperature fahrenheit

96.6-99.7 F

Normal range for temporal artery temperature fahrenheit

97.2-100.1 F

Normal Pulse Rate:

90-100 beats per minute

Normal Respiratory Rate:

12-20 respirations per minute

Blood pressure normal

Systolic 90-119 mm Hg and Diastolic 60-79 mm Hg

Low blood pressure( hypotension )

Systolic below 90 mm Hg or Diastolic below 60 mm Hg

Elevated Blood Pressure

Systolic 120-129 mm Hg and Diastolic less then 80 mm Hg

Stage 1 Hypertension

Systolic 130-139 mm Hg and Diastolic 80-89 mm Hg

Stage 2 Hypertension

Systolic 140 mm Hg or higher or Diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher

Hypertensive Crisis

Systolic 180 mm Hg or higher and/or Diastolic 120 mm Hg or higher

Apical Pulse

the pulse on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple

Apnea

the absence of breathing

Auscultation

the act of listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope

BPM

the medical abbreviation for beat per minute

Brachial Pulse

the pulse located inside the elbow, about 1 to 1 ½ inches above the elbow

Bradycardia

slow heart rate, under 60 per minute

Celsius

the centigrade temperature scale in which the boiling point of water is 100 degrees and the freezing point of water is 0 degrees

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

alternating periods of slow, irregular respirations and rapid, shallow respirations, possibly a long with periods of apnea.

Diastolic

the second measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart relaxes or rests

Dilate

to widen

Dyspnea

difficulty breathing

eupnea

normal respirations

Expiration

the process of exhaling air out of the lungs

Fahrenheit

a temperature scale in which the boiling point of water is 212 degrees and the freezing point of water is 32 degrees

Hypertension

high blood pressure, regularly measuring 130/80 mm Hg or higher

Hypotension

low blood pressure, regularly measuring 90/60 mm Hg or lower

Hypothermia

severe subnormal body temperature; body temperature drops below the level required for normal functioning

Inspiration

the process of inhaling air into the lungs

Kussmaul breathing

very deep, rapid breathing that is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure; also known as air hunger

Orthopnea

shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up

Orthostatic Hypotension

a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands or sits up; also called postural hypostension

palpate

to touch body parts in order to feel structures beneath the skin

Radial Pulse

the pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin

Respiration

the process of inhaling air into the lungs (inspiration) and exhaling air out of the lungs (expiration)

sphygomoanometer

a device that measures blood pressure

stethoscope

an instrument used to hear sounds in the body, such as the heartbeat or pulse, breathing sounds, or bowel sound

Systolic

first measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle

Tachycardia

rapid heart rate, over 100 beats per minute

Tachypnea

rapid respirations, over 20 breaths per minute

thermometer

a device used for measuring the degree of heat or cold

vital signs

measurements-temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body.