Download VITAL SIGNS

VITAL SIGNS
Blood Pressure
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Definition: the pressure the blood
exerts on the walls of the arteries.
Hypertension = HIGH blood pressure
Hypotension = LOW blood pressure
Blood Pressure
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Systole: the contraction phase, corresponds
to the actual beat of the heart, and is the
period of GREATEST pressure. Systole is the
TOP number
Diastole: the relaxation phase, corresponds
to the filling action of the heart, and is the
period of LEAST pressure. Diastole is the
BOTTOM number.
Pulse Pressure
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Definition: the difference between the
systolic and diastolic readings.
Normal pulse pressure is 40
> 50 or < 30 is considered abnormal
General rule of thumb is that pulse
pressure should be about one third of
the systolic pressure.
Blood Pressure
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Measured in millimeters of Mercury, or
as it is written mm/Hg.
Use a sphygmomanometer, and a
stethoscope.
Written as a fraction 120/80, where
the systolic is 120 and diastolic is 80.
BLOOD PRESSURES..technique
1. Placement of cuff:
brachial artery (just
above the elbow
2. Close valve
3. Inflate bladder with
bulb
4. SLOWLY release the
valve
5. Listen…1st sound,
and last sound…
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REMEMBER…
100 - 140
60 - 90
Sounds
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1st sound : Systole= heart @ work
(contracting)
Last Sound: Diastole = heart @ rest
( relaxing)
Pulses
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Apical= stethoscope
for 1 minute…
Radial= wrist
Carotid= neck
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REMEMBER
60-90=nml, Adults
90-160=nml, infants
Pulses
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Characteristics:
Rhythm: refers to the regularity of the
pulse (regular or irregular)
Rate: the number of beats per minute
Volume: refers to the force or strength
of the pulse: normal, bounding, weak,
thready (barely perceivable)
Pulses
Tachycardia: > 100 beats per minute
Bradycardia: < 60 beats per minute
Exception: many athletes normally
have heart rates < 60 because their
heart is in better shape.
Pulses
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Pulse deficit: The difference between
the apical pulse and the radial pulse.
Pulse deficit can indicate certain heart
conditions, that will be diagnosed by
further testing.
Respirations
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Measurement of breathing
This is tricky, you must “fool” the patient by
letting them think you are continuing to count
heartbeats and at the same time watch the
chest rise and fall.
Hyperventilation: excessively fast and
deep respirations
Dyspnea: difficult or labored breathing
Respirations..characteristics
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Apnea: no breathing..
Rales: noisy breathing
Crackles: Heard in the bases of the
lungs..sounds like …(demo)
Respirations are: Normal, shallow or deep,
regular or irregular
Cheyne Stokes: slow shallow breaths that
increse in depth and frequency to be followed
by a few shallow breaths and then apnea for
>10 seconds.. This usually precedes death.
RESPIRATIONS
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Stethoscope
One inhalation, one
exhalation=1 resp.
Count by watching
the chest rise and
fall
DON’T TELL THE
PATIENT!
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REMEMBER
NORMAL= 12-20
breaths per minute.
Temperatures
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Definition: the amount of heat the
body generates under normal or
stressed conditions.
Oral – under the tongue
Rectal – in the anus
Axillary – under the armpit
TEMPERATURES
RECTAL=99.6
AXILLIARY= 97.6
ORAL= 98.6
Shake down
Thermometer
Clean with alcohol.
Place under tongue.
For 3 minutes.
Rectal & Axillary=
10 min.
REMEMBER!
THE END