Vital signs

The four Vital signs

The four Vital signs

• Temperature

• Heart Beat (Pulse)

• Respiratory rate

• Blood pressure

Temperature

An indication of the body’s heat regulation mechanism. It is controlled by the Hypothalamus.

Vital Signs

Clinical measurements that indicate the state of the body’s essential functions.

The normal body temperature

It ranges from 36.5°C to 37.2°C

Factors that can affect the measurement of vital signs

1. Medications

2. Time of the day

3. Age

4. Physical Activity

5. Health conditions

Heart Beat (Pulse)

A vital sign that indicates the number of times the heart beats per minute.

Normal pulse of an adult

it ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute

Oral temperature taking

Thermometer is placed under the tongue

Rectal temperature taking

Thermometer is inserted into the rectum. this is the most accurate way to check temperature

Axillary temperature taking

The thermometer is placed under the armpit

Tympanic Temperature taking

The thermometer is placed into the ears

Temporal Artery temperature taking

The thermometer is scanned across the forehead

Ingestible Capsule temperature taking

a small device is swallowed and transmits temperature readings to an external device

Respiratory Rate

A vital sign that refers to the number of breaths a person takes per minute.

Normal Breathing Rate of an Adult

under the normal conditions 12 to 20 breaths per minute

Blood Pressure

A crucial vital sign that measures the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.

Blood pressure for a normal adult

around 120/80 mmHg.

Systolic pressure

This measures the pressure the blood exerts on the blood vessels each time the heart beats

Diastolic Pressure

This measures the pressure the blood exerts on the blood vessel when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood between beats

Importance of taking Vital Signs

Vital Signs are used in monitoring and detecting health problems.

Acute Pain

This type of pain is short-term and is often caused by damage to tissue

Chronic Pain

this is the type of the pain that is constantly recurring.

Phantom pain

This is the type of pain that occurs in organs that is no longer there

Radiating Pain

sensation of pain spreading or extending from its origin to another area of the body