Vital Signs PDF

VITAL SIGNS What is Vital Signs?  Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems.  Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.  are measurements of the body's most basic functions What are the vital...

VITAL SIGNS What is Vital Signs?  Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems.  Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.  are measurements of the body's most basic functions What are the vital sgns?  Temperature  Pulse rate  Respiratory Rate  Blood Pressure 1.Temperature – by the use of thermometer (digital and tympanic thermometer) BODY TEMPERATURE  Orally. Temperature can be taken by mouth - The normal body temperature of a person using either the classic glass thermometer, or varies depending on gender, recent activity, food the more modern digital thermometers that and fluid consumption, time of day, and, in use an electronic probe to measure body women, the stage of the menstrual cycle. Normal temperature. body temperature can range from 97.8 degrees F (or Fahrenheit, equivalent to 36.5 degrees C, or  Rectally. Temperatures taken rectally (using Celsius) to 99 degrees F (37.2 degrees C) for a a glass or digital thermometer) tend to be healthy adult. A person's body temperature can 0.5 to 0.7 degrees F higher than when taken be taken in any of the following ways: by mouth.  Axillary. Temperatures can be taken under the arm using a glass or digital thermometer. Temperatures taken by this route tend to be 0.3 to 0.4 degrees F lower than those temperatures taken by mouth.  By ear. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the ear drum, which reflects the body's core temperature (the temperature of the internal organs).  PULSE RATE  is a measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. As the heart pushes blood through the arteries, the arteries expand and contract with the flow of the blood.  RESPIRATORY RATE  The respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute.  The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises.  BLOOD PRESSURE  Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls during contraction and relaxation of the heart. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries, resulting in the highest blood pressure as the heart contracts. When the heart relaxes, the blood pressure falls.  Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure. The higher number, or systolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body. The lower number, or diastolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and is filling with blood. Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are recorded as "mm Hg" (millimeters of mercury – measurement for pressure). This recording represents how high the mercury column in an old-fashioned manual blood pressure device (called a mercury manometer or sphygmomanometer) is raised by the pressure of the blood. Blood pressure is categorized as normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:  Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80 (120/80) ❖ If your results fall into this category, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.  Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80 ❖ People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.  Stage 1 high blood pressure is systolic is 130 to 139 or diastolic between 80 to 89 ❖ At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may consider adding blood pressure medication based on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), such as heart attack or stroke.  Stage 2 high blood pressure is when systolic is 140 or higher or the diastolic is 90 or higher ❖ At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes. Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:  Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.  Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats. ❑ Which number is important? Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure (the first number) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term buildup of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.  What special equipment is needed to measure blood pressure? ANEROID BP MONITOR - manually checks your blood pressure. It has a gauge that you read by looking at a pointer on the dial. The cuff goes around your upper arm, and you squeeze a rubber bulb to inflate it by hand. Aneroid monitors often cost less than digital monitors.  DIGITAL BP APPARATUS - The digital monitor is automatic, with the measurements appearing on a small screen. Because the recordings are easy to read, this is the most popular blood pressure measuring device. It is also easier to use than the aneroid unit, and since there is no need to listen to heartbeats through the stethoscope, this is a good device for hearing-impaired patients. One disadvantage is that body movement or an irregular heart rate can change the accuracy. What is stethoscope? -A stethoscope is a medical instrument used by medical professionals to listen to sounds produced in the body, primarily in the heart or lungs. It is also used to listen to blood vessels and bowel sounds. PARTS OF A STETHOSCOPE The eight important parts of a stethoscope are -  Chestpiece  Diaphragm  Bell  Tubing  Stem  Ear piece  Ear tube  Binaural spring Before you measure your blood pressure:  Don't smoke or drink coffee for 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure.  Go to the bathroom before the test.  Relax for 5 minutes before taking the measurement.  Sit with your back supported (don't sit on a couch or soft chair). Keep your feet on the floor uncrossed. Place your arm on a solid flat surface (like a table) with the upper part of the arm at heart level. Place the middle of the cuff directly above the bend of the elbow. Check the monitor's instruction manual for an illustration.  Take multiple readings. When you measure, take 2 to 3 readings one minute apart and record all the results.  Take your blood pressure at the same time every day, or as your healthcare provider recommends.  Record the date, time, and blood pressure reading.  Take the record with you to your next medical appointment. If your blood pressure monitor has a built-in memory, simply take the monitor with you to your next appointment.  Call your provider if you have several high readings. Don't be frightened by a single high blood pressure reading, but if you get several high readings, check in with your healthcare provider.  When blood pressure reaches a systolic (top number) of 180 or higher OR diastolic (bottom number) of 110 or higher, seek emergency medical treatment. Why blood pressure matters  High blood pressure — the “silent killer” — usually has no symptoms. It can damage your heart, kidneys and brain before you know anything is wrong.  High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Without treatment, high blood pressure can cause:  Transient ischemic attack (TIA).  Stroke.  Heart attack.  Enlarged heart.  Heart failure.  Peripheral artery disease.  Aneurysms.  Kidney disease.  Broken blood vessels in your eyes. Who is at risk of getting high blood pressure? Your risk of high blood pressure is higher if you:  Have a family history of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.  Are age 60 or older.  Have high cholesterol.  Use oral contraceptives (birth control pills).  Have obesity.  Have diabetes.  Use tobacco products.  Don’t exercise.  Have eat a high salt diet. How do I prepare for a blood pressure measurement?  Wait 30 minutes to measure your blood pressure if you just smoked, exercised or had a cup of coffee.  Go to the bathroom and pee until your bladder is empty.  Roll up your sleeve so you don’t put the cuff over your shirt sleeve.  Sit for at least five minutes without talking.  Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor. Don’t cross your legs.  Rest your arm on a table in front of you so your arm is at heart level. How blood pressure is measured To measure your blood pressure manually, your provider will:  Wrap a special cuff (connected to a gauge or sphygmomanometer) around your upper arm (above your elbow).  Inflate the cuff to make it tight around your arm. They’ll squeeze a ball connected to the cuff to do this. This briefly stops blood flow in your brachial artery by squeezing it. The gauge should say 200 mmHg at this time.  Deflate the cuff (with a valve attached to the cuff) while using a stethoscope to listen to your blood going through your brachial artery. Deflating the cuff makes the gauge needle start to come down.  Listen for when a pulse starts and look at the number on the gauge at that time. That’s the systolic number.  Open the valve to loosen the blood pressure cuff so it stops squeezing your brachial artery.  Look at the gauge reading when the cuff deflates and they hear (through the stethoscope) blood flowing again. This is the diastolic number.