vital signs and their measurement ... qallin medical society first aid course

6. Vital signs are physical signs that
indicate an individual is alive.
These signs may be
observed, measured, and
monitored to assess an
individual's level of physical
functioning.

7. 1. Heart beat
2. Breathing rate
3. Temperature
4. Blood pressure
Normal vital signs change with :
• Age
• Sex
• Weight
• Exercise

8. • Prior to measuring vital signs, the patient
should have had the opportunity to sit for
approximately five minutes
• Before diving in, take a minute or so to
look at the patient in their entirety
• Does the patient seem anxious, in pain,
upset? What about their dress and
hygiene? Remember, the exam begins as
soon as you lay eyes on the patient

9. The normal body temperature of a person
varies depending on :
• Gender
• Recent activity
• Food
• Fluid consumption
• Time of day

10. Measurements
Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
Degrees Celsius (centigrade; °C)
Normal adult oral temperature
98.6°F
37°C

11. oral
routes
axillary
tympanic
Rectal

17. Route Normal Range ºF / ºC Sites
Oral 37.0 ºC Mouth
Tympanic 37.5 ºC Ear
Rectal 37.5 ºC Rectum
Axillary 36.5 ºC Axilla

18. Def :
Number of times the heart beats in 1 minute
The normal pulse for healthy adults
ranges from
60 to 100
beats per minute

19. 5th intercostal space directly below
center of left clavicle .
Apical pulse taken with a stethoscope

20. •

24.  Count for 30 seconds,
then multiply by 2
(a rate of 35 beats in 30
seconds equals a pulse
rate of 70 beats/minute)

26. The respiration rate is the number of
breaths a person takes per minute

27. fever
illness
under 12 breaths
over 20 breaths

28. 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0-1 yrs 6-11 yrs ADULT

29. Systolic pressure – measure of pressure when left ventricle
contracts
Diastolic pressure
Measure of pressure when heart relaxes
Minimum pressure exerted against
the artery walls at all times
120/80

30. Equipment
Sphygmomanometer
Inflatable cuff
Pressure bulb
Manometer

32. Painful procedures and exercise
should not have occurred within one
hour
Patient should have been
sitting quietly for about 5
minutes

33. • Sitting position
• Arm and back are
supported.
• Feet should be
resting firmly on
the floor
• Palm is facing up.
• The arm should remain somewhat bent and
completely relaxed

34. 1. Place cuff on the upper arm above the brachial
pulse site
2. Inflate cuff about 20 mmHg above palpatory
result or approximately 180 mmHg to 200 mmHg
3. Release the air in cuff slowly at a rate of 2-3
mmHg per second and listen for the first
heartbeat (systolic pressure) and the last
heartbeat (diastolic pressure)
4. Record results with systolic as the top number
and diastolic as the bottom number (i.e., 120/76)

35. BP must take in both arms
The two arm readings
should be within 10-15 mm
Hg. Differences greater
then 10-15 imply differential
blood flow

37. Post exercise, ambulatory disabilities, obese,
known blood pressure problems
stress