2. Vital Signs
Vital signs, or signs of life, Vital signs reflect the body’s physiologic status and
provide information to evaluating homeostatic balance.
A change in vital signs may indicate a change in health.
3. The purpose of checking vital signs:
1- For making diagnosis.
2- Planning progressing of patient.
3- Patient response to the specific medications treatment and
care.
4. Body temperature(T):
• Body temperature: Body temperature is defined as the average
temperature of the human body. The average body temperature is 98.6º
Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius.
• but normal temperature for a healthy person can range between 97.8º to
99.1º Fahrenheit or 36.5 to 37.2 degrees Celsius or slightly higher.
• Thermometer: is an instrument used to measure body temperature.
Types of thermometer:
1- Glass mercury thermometer
2- Electronic thermometers
3- Disposable paper thermometer
4- Tympanic membrane thermometer
5. Purpose of taking body temperature:
1- To determine body temperature.
2- To evaluate patients recovery from illness.
3- To obtain baseline TEMP data for comparing future
measurement.
Common Sites of taking body temperature :
1- Under the armpit (axillary method)
2- In the mouth (oral method)
3- In the ear (tympanic method)
4- In the rectum/bum (rectal method)
6. Contraindications of oral method
• Infants and children &Very old and weak patient.
• Unconscious patients.
• Inflammation or surgery of mouth.
• Persistent frequent coughing.
• Very weak who cannot close his mouth well.
• Patient with seizure disorder.
• After drinking hot fluids or cold fluids.
8. Converting a Celsius reading to Fahrenheit.
• F= (Co ×1.8 + 32)
For example Celsius reading is 40: F = (40×1.8) +32
F= (72) +32 F=104
Converting a Fahrenheit reading to Celsius.
• C= (F - 32 ×5/9)
For example Fahrenheit reading is 100
C = (100-32) ×5/9 C= (68) ×5/9 C=37.7
