PBS 2.1.2

Vital Signs - (vitals) measurements of some of the body’s basic functions

Signals of the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis - way the body sustains a stable internal environment

Provides information about the physiological health of an individual

Examples: pulse, respitory rate, body temperature, blood pressure

Data helps create a snapshot of the overall health of an individual

Tracking allows for ongoing monitoring by establishing benchmarks that can be used to compare future measurements - easier to see changes over time

Help with triage - determining who is most in need of urgent care

No ONE vital sign can give accurate assessment of person’s health, multiple measurements provide clues to overall health of individual

Pulse - number of heart beats in one minute - measured as beats per minute (bpm)

With each heartbeat, pressure wave (pulse) passes along artery as its walls bulge and relax to accommodate surge of blood

Normal range is 60-100 bpm for adults

Respiratory Rate - number of breaths taken per minute (breath is an inhale and an exhale) - measures as breaths per minute (bpm)

One way medical professionals check functioning of lungs during exam

Normal rage is 12-20 bpm for adults

Blood Pressure - force of blood moving through blood vessels - measures as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) using device called sphygmomanometer

Blood presses against walls of vessel when heart contracts and relaxes

Measuring force applied to walls of arteries as heart pumps blood

Determined by amount of force and quantity of blood being pumped

Systolic Pressure - measures pressure in arteries when heart undergoes systole - heart contracts to push blood throughout body

Diastolic Pressure - measures pressure in arteries when heart undergoes diastole - heart at rest, allowing chambers to fill with blood

Values reported as: $\frac{Systolic\ Pressure}{Disastolic\ Pressure}\ mm\ Hg$

Sphygmomanometer - inflatable cliff with attached pressure gauge - inflated to cut off blood flow, pressure measured as cuff released and blood flows

Normal range for blood pressure for an adult: $\frac{less\ than\ 120}{less\ than\ 80}\ mm\ Hg$

Height - measure of how tall a person is from top of head to bottom of feet - measured in feet/inches or meters/centimeters using tape measure/ruler

Weight - amount a person weighs - measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg) using a scale

Body Mass Index - measure of body fat - ratio of the weight to its height - $BMI = 703(\frac{weight}{{height}^2})$

Lung/Breath Sounds - sound/clarity of breaths - measures qualitatively as description of sound (clear, wheezing, crackles) using stethoscope

Oxygen Saturation - amount of oxygen in the blood - measured as percentage using pulse oximeter

A.K.A Pulse Oximetry - measure of the amount of oxygen found in the blood

Body Temperature - degree of heat of a body - measured in degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius using thermometer

One of the first vitals taken during physical exam

Can vary slightly based on factors like age, stress, physical activity, flood/fluid consumption, time of day, measurement method

An example of how the body maintains homeostasis

Can be measured orally, by ear, under the armpit, rectally

Healthy range is from 97.8 to 99 F

100 F and above considered fever - indicate body is trying to fight an infection or illness

Fever isn’t much of a concern unless over 103 F

Temperature below 95 F considered hypothermia - serious condition that affects how organs and body systems work (can lead to death)

Vitals can be measured in places other than medical offices - apps on smartphones/smartwatches, wireless chest strap, digital blood pressure cuff

Team of medical professionals collaborate to keep things running smoothly & on time in a clinic

Measurement of patient’s vitals may be taken by any member of the team including nurses and doctors

Many different types of nurses: Licenced Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Patient Record - log of past data

Vitals checked at every doctor’s visit and can be compared to previous vitals

Also includes information about past and current conditions, treatments and medical producers, medications, lab results, and insurance and billing