Measuring and Recording Vital Signs

Temperature

Measurement of the balance between heat lost and heat produced.

Volume

Strength of the pulse.

Apical Pulse

Pulse taken at the apex of the heart with a stethoscope.

Respirations

Measurement of breaths taken by a patient.

Stethoscope

Instrument used to take apical pulse.

Pulse

Pressure of the blood felt against the wall of an artery.

Rhythm

Regularity of the pulse or respirations.

Rate

Number of beats per minute.

Blood Pressure

Measurement of the force exerted by the heart against arterial walls.

Vital Signs

Various determinations that provide information about body conditions.

Temperature, Respirations, Pulse, Blood Pressure

The 4 main vital signs.

Mouth(Oral), Rectum(Rectal), Armpit(Axillary), Ear(Aural)

The 4 most common sites in the body where temperature can be measured.

Rate, Rhythm, Volume

The 3 factors recorded about a pulse.

Count, Rhythm(Regularity), Character(Type)

The 3 noted factors about respirations.

Systolic and Diastolic

The 2 readings noted on a blood pressure.

Illness, Hardening of Arteries, Weak or Rapid Radial Pulse

The 3 reasons you may have to take an apical pulse.

Hyperthermia

Body exceeds 104*F.

Hypothermia

Low body temperature. (Below 95*F)

Temporal

At the side of the forehead.

Carotid

At the neck.

Brachial

Crease of the elbow.

Radial

At the inner aspect of the wrist, above the thumb.

Femoral

At the inner aspect of the thigh.

Popliteal

Behind the knee.

Dorsalis Pedis

At the top of the foot arch.

Exercise, Stimulant Drugs, Excitement

The 3 factors that could cause an increase in a pulse rate.

Sleep, Depressant Drugs, Heart Disease

The 3 factors that could cause a decrease in a pulse rate.

Inspiration and Expiration

One respiration consists of...

Deep, Shallow, Labored, Difficult

The 4 words to describe the character or volume of respirations.

Regular and Irregular

The 2 words to describe the rhythm of respirations.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Apnea

Absence of respirations, usually temporary.

Cheyne-Stokes

Periods of dyspnea followed by apnea.

Rales

Bubbling or noisy sounds caused by fluids or mucus in the air passages.

Tachypnea

Respiratory rate above 25.

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate below 10.

Wheezing

Whistling or sighing sound during expiration.