vital signs

🫀 Vital Signs Study Guide

Vital signs are key indicators of a patient’s physiological status. They include:

• Blood Pressure (BP)

• Heart Rate (HR)

• Respiratory Rate (RR)

• Temperature (T)

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

• Pain

🩸 1. Blood Pressure (BP)

📌 Normal Value:

120/80 mmHg

• Systolic (top number): Pressure when the heart contracts

• Diastolic (bottom number): Pressure when the heart relaxes

🔄 Variations:

• Hypertension (HTN): BP >140/90 mmHg

  • Caused by stress, kidney issues, heart disease, etc.

  • Can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure

• Hypotension: BP <90/60 mmHg

  • Caused by dehydration, blood loss, or heart failure

  • Can lead to dizziness, fainting, shock

🧠 Memory Tip:

“Squeeze/Relax” = Systolic/Diastolic

❤ 2. Heart Rate (HR)

📌 Normal Value:

60–100 bpm (beats per minute)

🔄 Variations:

• Bradycardia: HR < 60 bpm

  • Can be normal in athletes

  • Also caused by beta-blockers, vagal stimulation, hypothyroidism

• Tachycardia: HR > 100 bpm

  • Can result from fever, stress, pain, dehydration, anemia

🧠 Memory Tip:

B for Below = Bradycardia
T for Too Fast = Tachycardia

🌬 3. Respiratory Rate (RR)

📌 Normal Value:

12–20 breaths per minute

🔄 Variations:

• Bradypnea: RR < 12 bpm

  • May result from opioid overdose, brain injury, sedation

• Tachypnea: RR > 20 bpm

  • May be caused by anxiety, fever, acidosis, respiratory distress

💡 Mnemonic:

“Bread is Slow” = Bradypnea
“Tacky = Fast Breathing” = Tachypnea

🌡 4. Temperature (T)

📌 Normal Value:

97.8°F – 99°F (or 36.5°C – 37.2°C)

🔄 Variations:

• Hypothermia: < 95°F (35°C)

  • Seen in cold exposure, sepsis, hypothyroidism

• Hyperthermia: >104°F (40°C)

  • Caused by infections, heat stroke, or neurogenic fever

🌬 5. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

📌 Normal Value:

95%–100%

🔄 Variation:

• Hypoxemia: SpO₂ < 90%

  • Low oxygen in the blood

  • Can be caused by COPD, pneumonia, or impaired perfusion

💡 Watch For:

• SpO₂ < 92% → initiate oxygen support

• SpO₂ < 88% on room air = consider long-term oxygen therapy

🩹 6. Pain

📌 Definition:

Pain is a subjective experience — only the patient can describe it.

📏 Measurement Tools:

1. Numerical Rating Scale (0–10)

2. Wong-Baker FACES Scale (commonly used for kids or non-verbal patients)

3. Verbal Rating Scale (mild, moderate, severe)

🧠 Bonus: Quick Chart for Vital Sign Ranges

🎯 Clinical Reminders

• Always compare to baseline vitals if available. A "normal" for one patient may differ for another.

• Trends matter more than one-time readings — observe patterns over time.

• Document and report abnormalities promptly.