Unit 19 Vital signs and anthropology measurements

Vital Signs

Temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure

Anthropometric Measurements

Measurements of the human body (height, weight, head circumference, chest circumference)

Afebrile

Normal body temperature

Febrile

Above normal body temperature

Pyrexia

Fever of 101°F+ oral or 102°F+ rectal

Hyperpyrexia

Extremely high fever (105°F–106°F); can be deadly and damage the brain

Diaphoresis

Sweating

Systole

Contraction phase of the cardiac cycle

Diastole

Relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle

Hypertension

Morbidly high blood pressure

Postural Hypotension

Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing

Korotkoff Sounds

Sounds heard when measuring blood pressure (only Phase I and Phase V are recorded)

Auscultatory Gap

Loss of sounds during Phase II in hypertensive patients

Normal Body Temperature

98.6°F or 37°C

Rectal Temperatures

1° higher than oral

Axillary Temperatures

1° lower than oral

Methods of Measurement for Temperature

Oral, Rectal, Axillary, Tympanic, and Temporal artery

Glass Thermometers

Mercury expands with body heat; requires mercury spill kit

Electronic Thermometers

Battery-powered, portable, kept in charging unit

Tympanic Thermometers

Uses infrared light bounced off tympanic membrane

Temporal Artery Thermometers

Temperature recorded immediately upon release of button

Disposable Thermometers

Single use, dots change color; less reliable

Stages of Fever

Onset, Course, Resolution

Crisis (Fever Resolution)

Abrupt end to fever

Lysis (Fever Resolution)

Gradual end to fever

Fever Treatment Guidelines

Consume clear liquids, keep clean and dry, avoid chilling, rest, light diet, use antipyretics

Factors Affecting Temperature

Age, Gender, Exercise, Time of day, Emotion, Illness

Normal Pulse Rate for Healthy Adults

60–100 beats per minute (bpm)

Pulse Sites

Radial artery, Apical

Palpation Technique for Pulse

Use middle and index finger (not thumb)

Auscultation Technique for Pulse

Use stethoscope over apex of heart

Doppler Technique for Pulse Measurement

Amplifies pulse sound where difficult to palpate

Pulse Characteristics: Rate

Number of heartbeats in 1 minute

Respiration Normal Values for Adults

12–20 respirations per minute

Respiration Characteristics

Rate, Rhythm, Depth

Abnormal Respirations: Tachypnea

Faster rate

Abnormal Respirations: Bradypnea

Slower rate

Abnormal Respirations: Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Abnormal Respirations: Apnea

No respirations

Abnormal Respirations: Hyperpnea

Deeper/gasping breaths

Abnormal Respirations: Hypopnea

Shallower breaths

Abnormal Respirations: Orthopnea

Unable to breathe lying down

Abnormal Respirations: Hyperventilation

Rate exceeds oxygen demand

Respiratory Sounds: Crackles

Wet/dry sound

Respiratory Sounds: Wheezes

High-pitched sound

Normal Blood Pressure for Average Adult

120/80 mm Hg

Sphygmomanometer

Blood pressure cuff (can be aneroid or mercury)

Blood Pressure Cuff Size Guideline

Cuff width should be 40%–50% of arm circumference

Korotkoff Sounds Phase I

First sound heard (systolic pressure)

Korotkoff Sounds Phase V

Last sound heard (diastolic pressure)

Factors Influencing Blood Pressure

General health, Atherosclerosis, Age, Activity, Stress, Body position, Medications

Weight Measurement Importance

Taken at every visit for prenatal patients, infants, children, and older adults

Types of Scales

Balance beam, digital, dial

Height Measurement Methods

Using balance beam scale ruler, wall-mounted graph ruler, or parallel bar

Unit Conversions: Temperature

°F = °C × 1.80 + 32.00

Unit Conversion Example: Temperature

98.6°F = 37°C

Unit Conversions: Weight

1 lb = kg × 2.2046

Unit Conversions: Height

1 in = cm × 0.39370

Pediatric Vital Signs: General Trend

Infants and children have higher heart and respiration rates than adults

Pediatric Pulse Measurement Method for Infants

Count apically for 1 full minute

Pediatric Blood Pressure Measurement Challenges

Most difficult in infants; may vary based on age and examiner preference

Growth Measurements in Pediatric Patients

Weight, height, head and chest circumference compared to growth charts