This document defines vital signs and provides information on measuring and assessing key vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and pain. It outlines the purpose of taking vital signs as well as the equipment needed. Normal ranges for vital signs in infants and children are provided. Methods for assessing pulse, respiration, and temperature are described. Early warning signs that can help recognize deterioration in a patient's condition are also discussed.

1. DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
GSMCH

2. DEFENITION
 Vital signs are measurements of body’s most basic
functions (IT IS AN INDICATION OF VITAL
ORGANS)ie BRAIN,HEART,LUNGS,LIVER&KIDNEY
 IT REFLECTS THE BODY”S PHYSOLOGICAL STATUS
TEMPERATURE
98.6°F (37°C)
PULSE
60 to 100BPM
70 to 190 BPM(INFANTS
BLOOD PRESSURE
120/80 mmhg
PAIN
(0-10)
RESPIRATION
12-20BPM

3. PURPOSE
To Obtain The Baseline Data About The Patient Condition
For Diagnostic Purpose
For Theraputic Purpose
EQUIPMENTS NEEDED
 Vital signs tray
 Stethoscope
 Sphygmomanometer(analog)
 Hand watch
 Red & blue pen
 Pencil
 Vital signs sheet
 Cotton swab in bowel
 Dispo gloves
 Kidney tray

4. EARLY WARNING SCORE/SIGNS
 This Is A Recognition That Detorioting
Vital Signs
 That Can Assess And Treat A Detorioting
Patient And Prevent Adverse Out Comes.
HOW ITS WORKS ?
 assess ment (GCS, pain score, pupils reaction )
 reassessment
 close monitoring of vital signs
 proper & quick intimation to duty doctor
 observation (high quality)
 having updated knowledge of disease condition and emergency
management

5. Temperature-DEFINITION
 It is the degree of heat maintained by the body or it is the
balance between heat produced in the tissues and heat lost to
the environment.
 Ways to Take a Temperature
 RECTAL. The thermometer is placed in the child's bottom.
 ORAL-The thermometer is placed in the mouth under the
tongue. ...
 AXILLARY- The thermometer is placed in the armpit.
 TYMPANIC -The thermometer is placed in the ear.
 TEMPORAL ARTERY - The thermometer scans the surface of
the forehead.

6. PULSE
 PULSE IS CREATED BY THE CONTRACTION OF LEFT
VENTRICLE
 What is pulse deficit ?
the difference between peripheral (outer limit of area) and apical
pulse (apex of the heart, central pulse)
Pulse assessed for ?
 RATE
 RHYTHM
 VOLUME
 ELASTICITY OF ARTERIAL WALL( a healthy normal artery feels straight smooth,
soft & easily bent)
- PULSE COMMONLY ASSESED BY PALPATION(FEELING) AND AUSCALTATION(BY
STETHASCOPE)

7. PULSE SITES
TEMPORAL
CAROTID
APICAL(APEX OF HEART)
BRACHIAL
ULNAR
RADIAL
FEMORAL
POPLITEAL
POSTERIOR TIBIAL
DORSALIS PEDIS

8. RESPIRATION-DEFINITION
 RESPIRATION IS THE ACT OF BREATHING AND INCLUDES THE INTAKE OF
OXYGEN AND REMOVAL OF CO2
HOW TO CHECK RESPIRATION ?
To Count The Number Of RespiratoryCycle in One Minute
Ie, One Cycle Is Equal To The Complete Rise And Fall Of The Patient Chest
Normal RR of a child
 Age: 0 to 6 months 30 to 60 breaths per minute (bpm)
 Age: 6 to 12 months 24 to 30 bpm
Tachypnea-increase therate of respirationfrom normal range
Bradypnea-decreasethe rate of respiration
Apnea –absence ofbreath

9. BLOOD PRESSURE
 The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within
the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction
of the heart muscle.
 Its measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first
(systolic pressure) is measured after the heart
contracts and is highest.
 The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the
heart contracts and lowest.

10. PAIN
 A localized or generalized unpleasant bodily
sensation or complex of sensations that causes mild to
severe physical discomfort and emotional distress
 THREE WAYS OF MEASURING PAIN:
 Self report - what the child says ( the gold standard)
 Behavioural –how the child behaves
 Physiological –clinical observations

11. FLACC - The acronym FLACC stands for Face , Legs, Activity, Cry
and Consolability.
WONG-BAKER FACES PAIN RATING SCLE
WONG –BAKER FACE PAIN RATING SCALE

12. Nurses are the kindest professionals on the planet earth
Regard’s
varghese