Halabja Technical InstituteNursing Department

First StageFundamental of Nursing

Snur J. Ahmad

Fourth Lab. : Vital Signs

Introduction

Vital Signs are defined as the sign of basic physiology that includes temperature , pulse, respiration and blood pressure. If any abnormality occurs in the body, vital signs change immediately.

Purpose: 1. To detect any changes in normal body function.

2. To determine response to treatment

Temperature – Temp. Pulse Rate– P

Respirations – R Blood Pressure – BP

Usually recorded by a nurse, physician, physician's

assistant, or other health care professional; from once

hourly to four times hourly, as required by a person's

condition.

Abbreviations

Body temperature is the balance between heat produced in

the tissues and heat lost to the environment.

The hypothalamus is a section of the brain responsible for

control of body temperature.

The normal range of the body temperature is

between 36.2-37.2c.

Temperature (Temp.)

AgeGenderClothingEnvironmental temperatureExerciseIllnessMedications

Factors affecting body Temp.

Sites for Assessing Temperature

1. Orally (common way). 37 C° (3 – 5 min)

2. Axillary (safe way). 36 C° + 0.5 C° (10 min)

3. Rectal (accurate reading).37 C° – 0.5 C° (2 – 3 min)

4. Tympanic membrane.

1. Orally

2. Axillary

3. Rectal

4. Tympanic membrane

Equipment

Thermometer is a device that measures temperature.

Types:1. Electronic thermometer2. Glass thermometer3. Paper thermometer4. Tympanic membrane thermometer

Electronic thermometer

Glass thermometer

Paper thermometer

Tympanic membrane thermometer

Pulse Rate

Pulse is pressure of blood pushing against wall of artery as heart beats and rests.

The normal pulse rate in adult is ( 60 – 100 beat/min.)

Tachycardia: is a rapid pulse rate , greater than 100 beat /min.Bradycardia: is a pulse rate below 60 beats / min.

Factors affecting Pulse Rate

PainFeverStressExerciseBleedingDecrease in blood pressureSome medications

Sites of Taking Pulse Rate

Equipment

Watch & Stethoscope

Pulse rate commonly assessed by palpation (feeling) or auscultation (hearing) . Noted as:* Number of beats per minute* Rhythm: regular or irregular* Volume: strong or weak

Any Question?

Thank You …