Baseline Vital Signs

TEMPERATURE

NORMAL: 36c - 37.5c

tympanic (ear)

oral (under the tongue)

axilla

rectal

skin

IDC

infrared

PULSE RATE / HEART RATE

-palpate/palpating of pulses

Bradycardia (slower than normal heart rate) less than 60 bpm

Tachycardia (faster then normal heart rate) greater than 100 bpm

NORMAL: 60-100 beats per minute

Asleep: 40 bpm

Strenuous exercise: 200-220 bpm

Children: 80-120 bpm

Infant: 120-140 bpm

Arrhythmia - irregular rhythm

RESPIRATION

-number of breaths per minute

Inspiration - breath in (1-1.5 seconds)

Expiration - breath out (2-3 seconds)

Bradypnoea (less than 12 bpm)

Tachypnoea (more than 20 bpm)

Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

NORMAL: 12-20 breathes per minute

Children: 20-30 bpm

Infants: 20-40 bpm

OXYGEN SATURATION / SATS

Optimal SpO2: 98-100%

NORMAL: 95-100%

COPD: 88-92%

Hypoxia - less than 95%

BLOOD PRESSURE

-how much haemoglobin is bound and unbound through the arteries

-measured in millimetres (mmHg)

SYSTOLIC - contraction of left ventricle (100-140 mmHg)

DIASTOLIC - relaxation of left ventricle (60-90 mmHg)

Hypertension - systolic higher than 140 mmHg

Hypotension - systolic lower than 100 mmHg