Vital Signs Lecture PDF

Vital signs Significance of vital signs to the Physiotherapist Tawagidu Mohammed  Vital signs Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions Vital signs are a group of most important signs that indicate the status of the body’s vital (life- sustaining)...

Vital signs Significance of vital signs to the Physiotherapist Tawagidu Mohammed  Vital signs Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions Vital signs are a group of most important signs that indicate the status of the body’s vital (life- sustaining) functions Deviations in any of vital sign from the normal range is often the first indicator of a problem in a patient  Vital signs  Body temperature  Pulse rate or heart rate  Respiratory rate  Blood pressure  Pain  Importance of vital signs These measurements help to assess the general physical health of a person They are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems They inform of possible diseases and show progress toward recovery  Body temperature Body temperature is the amount of heat in the body It is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount of heat lost Heat lost through perspiration, respiration and excretion Heat produced by metabolism as well as muscle & gland activity  Body temperature The normal body temperature of a person varies depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time of day, the stage of the menstrual cycle. Normal body temperature can range from 36.5 degrees Celsius to 37.2 degrees Celcius in healthy adult.  Body temperature Low or High reading can be indicative of disease process Measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius The main reason for checking body temperature is to solicit any signs of systemic infection or inflammation in the presence of a fever Temperature is commonly considered to be a vital sign most notably in a hospital setting  Body temperature A person's body temperature can be taken in any of the following ways: Orally Rectally Axillary Ear Skin Temporal site - forehead  Pulse rate The pulse rate is a measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. Is the pressure of the blood pushing against the wall of an artery caused by contracting of the heart muscles  Pulse rate The normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute Increased by: Exercise, stimulant drugs, excitement, fever, shock, nervous tension Decreased by: sleep, depressant drugs, heart disease, coma, physical training Pulse sites  Pulse rate The pulse rate can also be measured by listening directly to the heartbeat using a stethoscope. The pulse varies with age.  A newborn or infant = 130–150 bpm  A toddler = 100–120 bpm  An older child = 60–100 bpm  Adolescent = 80–100 bpm  Adult = 50 and 80 bpm  How to check pulse Use the first and second fingertips, press firmly but gently on the arteries until you feel a pulse Begin counting the pulse when the clock's second hand is on the 12 Count your pulse for 60 seconds (for 15 or 30 seconds and then multiply by four to calculate beats per minute). observe the force (strength) of the heartbeat  Respiratory rate The respiratory 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. Respiratory rates may increase with fever and with other medical conditions.  Respiratory rate When checking respiration, it is important to also note whether a person has any difficulty breathing Normal respiratory rates vary with age Adult range from 16–20 breaths/minute Children range from 16 – 25 Infants range from 30 – 50  Blood pressure Measurement of the pressure that exerts on the walls of the arteries during various stages of heart activity Systolic pressure occurs during the contracting phase (1st sound) Diastolic pressure occurs during the resting phase (2nd sound)  Blood pressure Systolic pressure 90 – 140 Diastolic Pressure 60 – 90 Systolic pressures > 140 or Diastolic pressures > 90 = Hypertension Systolic pressure < 90 or Diastolic pressure < 60 = Hypotension New guidelines indicate prehypertension rates of 120-140 systolic and 80-90 diastolic Blood pressure is measured in mmHg Sphygmomanometer  Factors affecting blood pressure Factors increasing blood pressure include excitement, anxiety, nervous tension, stimulant drugs, exercise and eating Factors decreasing blood pressure include rest or sleep, depressant drugs, shock, excessive blood loss Blood pressure can vary from sitting, standing and lying positions  Blood pressure Usually the blood pressure is read from the left arm unless there is some damage to the arm. The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure is called the pulse pressure. There is no natural 'normal' value for blood pressure, but rather a range of values that on increasing are associated with increased risks.  Pain Considered to be the 5th Vital Sign Pain means to ache, hurt, or be sore Pain is a warning from the body Pain is a personal expression  Types of pain Acute pain – felt suddenly from an injury, disease, trauma, or surgery Chronic pain – lasts longer than 6 months. Pain can be constant or occur on and off. Radiating pain – felt at the site of tissue damage and in nearby areas. Phantom pain – felt in a body part that is no longer there.  Pain Assessment of pain should include: Location – does it radiate Intensity – best to assess with a scale. Character – is it sharp, dull, throbbing, burning Onset/Duration – when did it start, how long does it  Significance of vital signs to the physiotherapist With direct access, patients can see a physical therapist without a referral. This autonomy warrants further evidence to guide the clinical decision making process by physical therapists with regard to assessment of vital signs. With the prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease and the impact of exercise on the cardiovascular system, physical therapists must understand the important implications of taking vital signs for purposes of safety and best practice decision making. Significance of vital signs to the physiotherapist The measurement of blood pressure gives the therapist information regarding the patient's baseline cardiovascular status, response to exercise/activity, and guides exercise prescription. Depending on the health history and familiarity with a patient, the taking of vital signs should be a standard procedure for all patients (APTA) Significance of vital signs to the physiotherapist Clinical indicators that highlight the need for an assessment of vital signs include dyspnea, hypertension, fatigue, syncope, chest pain, irregular heart rate Significance of vital signs to the physiotherapist Pain assessment is one of the most checked vital sign in PT practice It helps plan treatment, evaluate outcomes and identifying red flags  Summary Vital signs are most important indicators of optimal or abnormal state of health Accuracy is essential when measuring vital signs