Vital Signs Medtech NV

One respiration

One inhalation plus one exhalation

Adult normal respiration rate

14–18 breaths per minute (12–20 also normal)

Child normal respiration rate

16–27 breaths per minute

Infant normal respiration rate

30–50 breaths per minute

Tachypnea causes

Anxiety

Bradypnea causes

Lung obstruction

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing

Apnea

Temporary absence of breathing

Orthopnea

Breathing only possible when sitting or standing

Cheyne-Stokes

Shallow breaths → deeper/frequent breaths → apnea for 10–20 sec

Rales

Noisy breathing

Wheezing

High-pitched whistle on exhalation with difficulty breathing

Cyanosis

Blue skin

Respiration assessment timing

Done right after pulse so patient is unaware

Pulse definition

Pressure of blood against artery wall as heart contracts

Pulse assessment

Rate

Common pulse sites

Radial and brachial

Palpation

Feeling pulse with fingertips

Auscultation

Listening with a stethoscope

Factors that increase pulse

Exercise

Factors that decrease pulse

Sleep

Arrhythmia

Abnormal pulse rhythm

Pulse volume scale

0 Absent

Radial pulse deficit

Difference between apical and radial pulse rates

Carotid pulse

Used for CPR pulse check

Brachial pulse

Used for infants and pediatrics

Dorsalis pedis pulse

Top of foot

Posterior tibial pulse

Behind the ankle

Temperature definition

Balance between heat produced and heat lost

Heat loss

Perspiration

Heat production

Metabolism

Homeostasis

Stable condition of organs

Oral average temperature

98.6°F or 37°C

Rectal average temperature

99.6°F or 37.6°C (most accurate)

Axillary average temperature

97.6°F or 36.4°C (least accurate)

Factors that increase temperature

Illness

Factors that decrease temperature

Starvation

Hypothermia

Rectal below 95°F (death below 93°F)

Fever

Rectal above 101°F

Hyperthermia

Rectal above 104°F (dangerous above 106°F)

Types of thermometers

Glass/mercury

Fastest thermometer method

Tympanic (ear) under 2 seconds