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Vital Signs
• Homeostasis – a state of equilibrium within
the body maintained through the adaptation
of body systems to change in either the
internal or external environment
– In English – a constant internal environment
• Areas of the brain monitor conditions in the
body at all times
– When a change is detected, a response from the
appropriate body system is stimulated
– Example: When oxygen levels decrease, breathing
increases
• When illness or injury occurs, the ability to
maintain homeostasis is impaired
• Vital signs – assessments of pulse, respiration,
blood pressure and body temperature
• Vital Signs can change as body reacts to injury
or illness
Pulse
• Pulse: a quantitative measurement of the
using the fingers to palpate an artery
• Every time your heart beats – blood vessels
expand and contract
• Waves of blood cause a throbbing in the
arteries
• Veins – carry deoxygenated blood to the heart
• Arteries – carry oxygenated blood from the
heart
• The pulse reflects the condition of the
circulatory system and cardiac function
– A rapid but weak pulse may indicate shock,
bleeding, diabetic coma, or heat exhaustion
– Rapid & strong – heat stroke, severe fright
– Strong & Slow – skull fracture or stroke
– No pulse – cardiac arrest or death
• Pulse rates vary due to a persons size, physical
condition and age
– Recorded beats per minute
• Normal adult is 60-100 bpm
– Average 70-80 bpm
• Tachycardia – above 100 bpm
• Bradycardia – below 60 bpm
• Highly trained athletes typically have a lower
resting pulse rate (50-60)
– Why?
• Heart receives more exercise
• Exercise allows heart to become stronger and more
efficient, sending more oxygen with each beat
• Rhythm (bpm) – described as regular or
irregular
• Quality – refers to the strength
– Weak or strong
– Thready – weak and rapid
– Bounding - full and strong
• When taking pulse – make note of rhythm,
AND the strength or quality
Where to take the pulse
• Radial pulse – wrist
• Carotid Pulse – neck
• Apical Pulse – on the heart
Other Pulse sites
• Temporal Artery – generally
not used
• Brachial Artery – used when
taking blood pressure
• Femoral Artery – check
circulation in legs
• Popliteal Artery – check
circulation in lower legs
• Dorsalis Pedis – check
circulation in feet
Measuring Pulse
• Only need to wear gloves if area is bloody
• Have person remain in position, if they just
moved, then wait a few minutes
• Tell person what you are doing
• Face their palm of hand downward
• If they are laying down, place hand on chest
• Place the pads of your 2 fingers directly over the
radial artery
• Don’t push too hard
• Look the second hand on watch, and start
counting
– Typically count for 1 minute, but you can count for
less and do the math
• If irregular – then count again for a full minute
• Measurement
– Pulse = _____, regular/irregular, strong, weak
• Example: 70 bpm, regular, strong
Using Carotid Artery
• Typically used when person is in cardiac arrest
• Check both sides
– Sometimes stroke victims only have pulse on one
side
• Typically only record bpm