Vital Signs

normal axillary temp

36.5c (97.7f)

normal tympanic temp

37c (98.6f)

Normal adult respirations

12-20

Normal Adult heart rate

60-100

normal rectal temp

37.5c (99.5f)

Normal Adult O2 stat

95-100%, 90-95 is acceptable but must be monitored..

Normal Adult blood pressure

120/80

normal oral temp is

36-38 c (96.8-100.4F)

assessing peripheral pulse aka rate strength

0 = no pulsation felt
1= diminished difficult
2= normal easy
3= full easy
4= strong

copd patients pulse ox

85-89% but must be monitored.

what 6 questions should you ask when pain is concerned?

1.)location, 2.)intensity, 3.)quality (blunt, sharp), 4.)pattern ( duration, constant), 5.)precipitating factors (triggers), and 6.)alleviating factors

hypotensive reading is

systolic 85-110

hypertensive

140/90 and above

Babies normal pulse

80-180

Babies normal respirations

30-80

Babies normal blood pressure

73/55

children's normal pulse

80-140

children's normal respirations

15-40

children's normal blood pressure

95/75

Teen's normal pluse

60-110

Teen's normal respiration

15-25

Teen's normal blood pressure

102/80

circadian rhythms

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment.

your temperature is lowest when

in the am

your temperature is highest when

late afternoon

Orthostatic hypotension

a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and maybe even faint.

Orthostatic hypotension what are the numbers

drop of systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 20mm and diastolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 10mm

How long do you wait to take a patients temperature after they drink?

waiting 15 to 25 minutes

Vital signs (v/s) consist of:

body temperature
pulse
respiration & pulse ox
blood pressure
Also, pain

When do you take vital signs?

On admission
Change in health status or patient complaint
Before and after surgeries or invasive procedures
Before & after administering medicines. What type of meds?
Any nursing intervention that can affect vitals

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

Age
circadian rhythms
Exercise
Hormones
Stress
Environmental temps

Factors Affecting Pulse

Age
Gender
Exercise
Fever
Medications
Hypovolemia
Stress/pain
Position changes
Disease processes

Pulse deficit:

The difference between apical & radial pulse rates.

when to use the Pulse deficit:

When the pulse is irregular. Count the pulse at the apex of the heart & the radial artery simultaneously (using two nurses) to assess rate.

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Age
Exercise
Stress/Pain
Race
Gender
Medications
Obesity
Circadian rhythm (B/p lower in morning)
Disease process