vital signs

Vital Sign  

Adult values  

Temperature 

Average temperature depends on method ​​used 

• Oral: 37°C (98.6°F) ​​ 

• Axillary: 36°C (97.6°F)​​ 

• Rectal: 37.4°C to 37.5°C (99.3°F to 99.5°F)​​ 

• Tympanic: 37°C (98.6°F)​​ 

• Temporal: 36°C (97.6°F)​ 

Hypothermic < 95 degrees F° 

Hyperthermic > 101.5 F° Can also be identified as Febrile  

Blood Pressure  

Average BP for adults is 120/80 mm Hg, ​ 

with a range of 90 to 120 mm Hg SBP and 60 to 80 mm Hg DBP 

Orthostatic vital signs are measured in patients to assess for a drop in BP and change in heart rate with position changes.  ​ 

Heart Rate 

Regular, between 60-100 

HR < 60 are bradycardic 

HR > 100 are tachycardic ​ 

Pulse  

0-Absent 

1+-Weak 

2+ Normal expected 

3+-full and increased 

4+ Bounding​ 

Respirations 

12-20 breaths per a minute  

1 inhalation and 1 exhalation are 1 count (1 respiration) 

RR < 12 breaths per minute bradypnea 

RR > 20 tachypnea ​ 

O2 Saturation (O2 Sat) 

Normal range 92-99% 

Levels < 92% hypoxia ​ 

Pain  

0-10 

0-no pain 

10-severe pain 

Self-report scales Most often used for adults 

Behavioral scales